I saw on the crest a lone pavilion; a little chatri, it's slender pillars and graceful dome dark against the yellow dawn: the last lonely remnant of some forgotten city. And to me at that moment the sight of the little ruined chatri seemed the personification of India and History and Romance. It still does; for I have never forgotten it. But on that particular morning it was also a reminder of all that I was leaving behind; and watching it grow smaller and smaller as the train raced on, I knew that even if I was fortunate enough to come back again one day, nothing was ever going to be the same. Because I could only come back as a grown-up.
The narrator describes a poignant moment observing a solitary pavilion, a chatri, against the morning sky. This structure symbolizes the essence of India, reflecting its rich history and romantic past. The imagery evokes a deep sense of nostalgia and connection to a forgotten time, making it an enduring memory for the narrator.
As the train moves away, the chatri becomes a symbol of what the narrator is leaving behind. There is an awareness that a return will not restore the past, as time will change both the narrator and the places they cherish. This realization underscores the bittersweet nature of memories and the inevitability of change as one grows older.
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