Entry 18.0 - The Wild _______

                                                   Entry 18.0 - The Wild ______

In the latter part of our twenties, we gain a clearer understanding of the lifecycle of "young people" and "their parents."

I’ll start with the young people.

Many teenagers decide to leave home at a certain age.

I’ve known countless individuals who do this after completing tenth grade—some for college, others for postgraduate studies, and many ultimately for their professional careers. I believe this is one of the most difficult decisions they will ever face, as it changes everything.

This change I’m talking about is not only of daily routines, food preferences, weather, and household comforts but also a complete change in their environment and social circles. It is a monumental shift in life.

In some cases, these decisions are made out of necessity—not just financial, but also to escape challenging situations at home and create a new life.

As the saying goes,

"That’s how you grow."

This thought resonated strongly with me in The Wild Robot.

In the story, Rozzum 7134 (or Roz), a robot lost in the jungle, is viewed as an enemy by everyone except a newborn gosling named 0186. This orphaned gosling, born with physical challenges, must learn to eat, swim, and fly properly.

Why?

Because it’s in the nature of their species to migrate annually, requiring them to become strong enough to travel thousands of miles.

I have always been amazed by how certain bird species migrate to warmer climates during harsh winters. It’s surprising how one must uproot their life and move away to find a better home, even if temporarily.

Migration—what a powerful word!

It resonates with us as humans, too. Some teenagers choose to stay at home for their own reasons, while others explore new cities, all focused on achieving their goals and dreams. Regardless of the path taken, both journeys are fraught with difficulties.

A particularly tricky aspect is maintaining relationships at home and finding balance, because sooner or later, balance is everything.

Perhaps that’s why one can empathize with the journey of Gosling 0186.

Just as Gosling had Roz, we have our parents. Like Roz, who protected, nurtured, and helped 0186 grow, our parents do the same as part of their roles.

Parenthood—a loaded term often associated with older age—can also be viewed through the lens of mentorship, covering all bases.

Bringing a child into this world today is no easy feat. Nurturing, caring for them, and helping them grow is an even more challenging task. Parenthood begins with constant attention to your child, managing and controlling everything around them.

It’s akin to taking an unshaped piece of clay and trying to mould it into the right form with the right qualities and strengths. This is no simple endeavour; it requires immense patience.

I observed all this as 0186 was born and as Roz learned to adapt in order to help him grow. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual or a crash course; you often have to "fake it until you make it" (Parenting 101).

Among many beautiful lines in the story, these stand out for me:

 “I do not have the programming to be a mother. No one does; we just make it up.”

Another says,

“Sometimes, in order to survive, you must become more than you were programmed to be.”

(Or as one of my favourite shows said, “Sometimes, you need to change your core drives. :) )

Like our parents, Roz learned to become a caregiver. He changed his core drives, going above and beyond in incomprehensible ways.

It’s a fairy tale filled with cuteness and innocence when children are young, but what happens when they come of age? Coming of age signifies maturity, taking control of their lives, and making their own decisions.

Just when you think you’ve finally cracked the code of parenting after so many years, the child grows up quickly.

(This feeling of being outgrown isn’t limited to parents; it arises in any mentoring relationship, sometimes feeling distant or cut off from people we helped grow. Sadly, its just the nature of things.)

For Roz, to develop so much attachment to the kid for him to finally fly away, the emptiness of those 10 minutes post his leaving. Its not sad, but in a way its heartbreaking. I’ve no idea how our parents feel on this one. To learn and experience this art of mentorship/ parenting, to build that endurance, patience and selflessness, so that one day it’ll all be taken away.

And it’s not that children/people disappear from your life. You witness their every choice—right and wrong—as they navigate their paths. You simply shift to the passenger seat, while they take the wheel.

What a task of a lifetime!

It’s never easy for kids to grow up under various constraints, and it’s certainly not easy for parents—who are also learning—to do the right things for their children. Mistakes are inevitable, regardless of the role or the species.

It’s challenging for a child to leave home to build a life in a foreign city or land. (Any place that isn’t home can feel foreign.)

We were maybe 6 people sitting and watching this movie. But I’m sure we all picked up or linked different thoughts through this movie.

Oh how I envy the power of motion pictures and cinema.

If you’re looking to go out to theatres this festive season and planning to watch BB3 or Singham, you might change your core drive and decide to watch this one instead.

It’s not best in any category, but there’s plenty of good to watch and feel this movie. To watch the journey of a kid and robot, learning to live in co-existence, love and fight for each other.

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Link for the trailer --- >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67vbA5ZJdKQ