Paper Boats and Dreams

Father and Son, Paper and Rain

Denzil Jayasinghe

2 min read

A short story about a heartwarming moment between a father and son in Dalugama during a monsoon. The story highlights the simple joys of childhood and the special bond between a father and son.

The rain fell like a whisper, a gentle magic that transformed the world outside. In my early childhood, it was as if the sky had opened its heart, and the front yard became a shimmering expanse of water. Young Denzil stood at the doorway of his house, eyes wide with wonder as the monsoon rains turned the dusty streets of Dalugama into a child’s playground.

“Thaththa, look!” he cried, tugging at his father’s sarong. “Can we make boats?”

Thaththa chuckled, his laughter mingling with the patter of raindrops. “A sea, indeed. But only if we make it so,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with delight.

Together, they gathered sheets from an exercise book and sat cross-legged on the veranda. “Now, watch closely,” Thaththa said, his fingers deftly folding the paper. “You must crease it just so, and then…”

Denzil watched, entranced, as a simple boat took shape under his father’s practised hands. “Like this?” he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice as he mimicked Thaththa’s movements, his small fingers clumsy yet eager.

“Exactly! You’re a quick learner,” Denzil felt a thrill. Soon, he had a fleet of paper boats, each one a different size, ready to set sail in the puddle that glistened like a treasure trove.

As the rain slackened, Denzil waded into the yard, carefully placing each craft upon the temporary sea. “Now, release them,” Thaththa instructed a hint of pride in his voice.

“Look at them go! My ships!” Denzil declared, his imagination soaring as he envisioned himself a great captain, surveying his navy with pride.

“A ship indeed,” Thaththa smiled, watching his son with a warmth that filled the air. “Every ship needs a captain.”

As the last of the rain ceased, leaving behind a world washed anew, Denzil stood there, watching his boats drift. He felt the power of the moment as if he commanded the very waters themselves. “Look, Thaththa!” he shouted, his heart swelling with joy. “They’re sailing!”

Thaththa watched, his heart full as he observed the simple magic of paper and rain unfold before him. In that moment, the bond between father and son deepened, woven together by laughter, creativity, and the enchanting allure of a rainy day in Dalugama.