Wheels of Freedom

Pedals and Dreams

Denzil Jayasinghe

3 min read

“Wheels of Freedom. Pedals and Dreams” by Denzil Jayasinghe is a short story, told as a first-person narrative, about a young boy’s intense desire to experience the freedom that comes with riding a bicycle. The story details his yearning to be like the other boys in his village, his struggle to learn to ride, and the overwhelming joy he experiences once he masters the skill. The bicycle becomes a symbol of his newfound independence, allowing him to help his family and explore his world.

The school gates closed behind him, casting a long shadow across the dusty ground. He walked away from the routine, the structure, and the suffocating grip of the clock. The village beckoned, its vibrant pulse calling to him like a siren’s song. He felt its rhythm in his veins, a primal urge to break free.

As he wandered through the village, the sun beat down his skin, warming his blood. People looked up, their faces creasing into smiles, and he felt a sense of belonging. He was part of this world, this life, where gates and walls couldn’t contain him.

No school meant freedom. Cycling was his obsession. He envied the boys in the village, their legs pumping furiously as they rode their fathers’ bikes. They’d stick their legs under the bar and paddle with their feet, their laughter echoing through the pebble roads. He longed to join them, to feel the wind in his hair and the adrenaline rush in his veins.

But the reality was harsh. At fifteen, he still couldn’t ride a two-wheeler. Younger boys, mere kids of twelve and thirteen, glided down his street easily, their balance a mockery of his struggles. His frustration simmered, a constant ache.

Salvation arrived in the form of Linton, a friend and neighbour who offered to teach him how to ride a bike. The beast of a machine, his father’s Humber, loomed before him, its heavy metal frame intimidating. Linton took the reins, demonstrating with a confident stride, and the boy stood taller without contending.

Linton adjusted the seat, twisting left and right, loosening the ring and lowering it to suit the boy’s height. The lesson began with a test of wills and balance as Linton gripped the rear wheel’s cover. The boy pedalled, wheels spinning, and suddenly balance found him. A grin spread across his face, a revelation. The impossible became possible.

He rode repeatedly, each turn a testament to his growing mastery. His joy was palpable and infectious, and his sense of achievement was undeniable. He fell, but the sand cushioned the impact, and Linton steadied the bike as he rode on.

Days turned into weeks, and Linton’s guidance led to solo rides. His confidence grew with each passing day. He conquered side streets and main roads, the wind whipping through his hair and his heart soaring.

A month passed, and he volunteered to fetch market goods for the family. He swapped his basket for the cane mounted on the bike’s front and became the family’s eager shopper. His mother smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and his father nodded in approval.

Months went by, and his father’s bike, though reliable, began to feel cumbersome. He coveted the sleek sports bikes his affluent friends rode; their shiny frames and slender tyres symbol freedom and speed. He scrimped, saving pocket money and spare bus fare, his eyes fixed on the prize. Fifty Rupees accumulated, a small fortune.

Then, Nihal, an old friend from junior school, appeared, offering a sports bike for sale. The price was sixty Rupees, but he was short ten. He begged his grandma, his eyes pleading, and she relented, pressing the extra cash into his palm. Elation set in as he rode everywhere, the wind in his hair, the sun on his face.

He shopped, visited friends, and abandoned walking. His bike lacked a lock, but no one stole bikes in those days. Freedom was his, and he cherished it.

The bike and transistor radio were his treasures, his most valued possessions. The bike, a symbol of freedom, and the radio, a window to the world, brought him joy and escape. He prized them above all else, his heart full.

As he rode into the sunset, the village fading into the distance, he knew he’d never be confined again. The wheels of freedom had set him loose, and he was unstoppable.