Page 40 - CORNICE GRADE 9

Small but Significant

It is small but of great significance. This dented, flawed circle fits loosely and comfortably,
allowing it to be used and handled frequently. It has a distinct, indeterminate shape that

compliments the circle in the middle. The jewel, perfectly round, reflects the depths of the
oceans and is framed with carved petal-like structures. The shank is about an inch thick and
simple at first glance. However, if looked into carefully, the dents from several incidents can be
seen. Engraved inside the shank are the words "Who, being loved, is poor?"

Memories flush into my mind as I remember her. She, who gave me this ring when I was 16, on a
windy but beautiful Saturday evening at the backyard of her house was someone of a kind. I was
watering the plants when she came up to me, pulled it out from the pocket of her coat and put it
into my hand. "For you," she whispered. Questions flooded my mind as I was drowned in the color
of the gem - a passionate, ethereal blue. “Is this a family heirloom?” I asked her, still staring at
the blue. She just chuckled. Finally, tearing my eyes from the color, I saw her staring into the
abyss and as I caressed my fingers through the shank, I felt the dents on it… and something

engraved inside of the shank. "Who, being loved, is poor?" My sixteen year old self stood there
staring at those words, wondering, before I whispered back "What do those words mean?" She
looked at me with a smile on her face and a look she always had whenever I asked her about
rainbows and fairies and love. “You’ll know.”

But I didn't know, for the longest time - 12 years to be exact. But, tomorrow, at twenty eight, I'm
getting married to the love of my life, and as I lay here on the sweet grass beneath the purple
gradient sky, once again staring at those words like I did all those years back, they feel so real, so
true. Those words, they're alive, swirling inside my head as I await memories that will forever be a
part of me.
This simple, dented and flawed but beautiful ring is a gift from my grandmother. Small but of
great significance.
Duchu C Pradhan

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