Outside the box: A Cadets Story

By sunishka (and Aishwarya kukreti)

Outside the box

It was a hot humid afternoon, sweat trickled down every cadet's forehead. The locker room anxiety seeped in the freshly ironed uniform. Silent prayers were passed as the young cadets prepared themselves for a gruelling flying test . It was a moment that would decide whether their dreams would touch the sky or remain grounded. In one forgotten corner of the room lay a big carton box—dusty, battered, almost invisible, as if it had merged with the shadows.Nobody cast an eye on it. A young man paced around the room, and kicked the box in frustration.  To his surprise the box let out a whimper. Startled,the cadets gathered around. Inside the box, curled up in a tight ball, was a stray puppy,seeking refuge from the scorching sun outside. The cadet groaned and muttered, “I wish I could swap places with him today… just lie there and not care about this horrendous test.”Another cadet chimed in, “I wish I was inside that carton box too.” There were chuckles and nods of agreement. The box seemed like an escape- A haven from expectations, pressure, and fear.

There were nods and heck yeahs of approval till someone tried to evict the puppy. After all, he was in their locker room. “It’s a locker room, not a kennel,” someone said, half-heartedly, and nudged the box again. The puppy whimpered but didn’t move. Concern now eclipsed indifference. A cadet gently tilted the box. The puppy staggered out, took a few feeble steps and collapsed. The room fell still. One could feel the air thicken. 

The puppy was weak, his eyes bloodshot and he had a gashing wound on his stomach that oozed blood. He barely hung on to life. 

The cadets let him rest. And later that day, they buried him. Alongside him, they buried their complaints, their groaning, whining, and dread for the test. 

Perspective had walked into the room on four frail legs. Suddenly, the flying test didn't seem quite so horrendous after all.

A cadet whispered, “I’m glad I’m not a dog in a box today.” And in that moment, they understood

Never wish to fit inside a box you know not the dimensions of.

Because sometimes, what appears to be an escape is merely suffering in silence.

And sometimes, the test you're afraid of… is a privilege someone else may never get.