5 April 2014
There are signs of Winter already in the air, with the mornings becoming
colder and colder every day. Appu finds refuge under the lemon tree in the cold mornings. His resting place has a dual purpose; it's a hideout from my grandchildren Alyssa ( 6), twins Marissa and Chrissa (6),whose
hilarious outbursts and acrobatics have scared him. Appu has misinterpreted the children's excitement to make friendship with him as hostile actions. Whenever the children extend their hands of friendship, he is sceptical and runs away. As for Ram, the yellow weaver bird, he is
packing up for departure , after a stay of 8 months. After months of hard
labour, he is leaving behind a worthless skeleton of an unfinished nest,
which is seen on a palm tree as a metaphor of stupidity. I felt it appropriate to send him off with some nice words.
Kuri
How are you gentlemen, after all these days?
Appu and Ram
Very well, what about you ?
Kuri
Everything is going well. Ram, I am saddened by your departure.Pal,
why don't you stay the whole year? Why depart?
Ram
I can't stand the extreme cold weather of this place. If I extend my
stay, I will freeze to death. I must escape to a warm place to survive.
Appu
If it's your choice, we'll let you go. I am heartbroken that you are
leaving empty-handed.
Kuri
Forget the past. There's no use crying over spilt milk. Let bygones be
bygones. Appu, nowadays I don't get even a glimpse of you. What's wrong?
Appu
I am in hiding, for fear of those three girls, Alyssa, Marissa and Chrissa. They are awesome. I am really scared of them.
Kuri
That's purely a misunderstanding. Outwardly, they seem to aggressive, noisy and troublesome, but inside they are soft and sweet like coconuts. Indeed,
they have great appreciation for you. So don't run away if they approach
you.
Appu
Well, I am still scared. How do you feel since their arrival ?
Kuri
It's like the sudden eruption of a volcano which has been dormant for
ages. They are everywhere, sometimes in all the rooms, sometimes outside,
exploring everything, climbing trees, watering the plants, plucking tomatoes, provoking neighbours' dogs ,so on and so forth.
Ram
So you have a nice time with them ?
Kuri
Yes, but I have to see to it that breakages are kept to a minimum.
They want to explore and experiment with everything. Nothing can prevent
them from finding a thing that they have singled out. Even if I find
' higher ground ' to keep something safe, they will find it by hook or crook.
Appu
How long will they be here?
Kuri
Till middle of May. Their father, Siby, will come in May, and all of us
will make a trip to Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Appu
What's the news from Kerala ?
Kuri
The election campaign is reaching its climax. Only 5 days left for
voting.
Ram
What are your predictions ?
I'm not a political pundit to make predictions. Anyway, nobody is expecting a clean sweep by any alliance. No leader is hugely and widely
popular. Every leader has his/ her shortcomings. That's why nowadays they
fear the people.
Ram
What about your final month ?
Well, by a strange coincidence, I am also in the process of a countdown .
I always say that some months are good and the others are bad.'Personally speaking', April is a good month, not only for me, but
also for teachers and learners, because it's a rare month in which
working days and holidays are 50/50. It's a season of a windfall of
holidays.
Appu
That's fantastic.
Kuri
The funny thing is that , after the holidays, while the teachers and
learners return to their respective schools, I don't need to return.
I will be on holidays without end, like a spacecraft of which
all the fuel has burnt out, a spacecraft lost in space. Thanks, pals, for spending your with me. Safe journey, Ram. Please come back. Appu, please
make friendship with the children.
Appu and Ram
Thanks, Kuri. Bye. Take care.
Kuri
Bye.
There are signs of Winter already in the air, with the mornings becoming
colder and colder every day. Appu finds refuge under the lemon tree in the cold mornings. His resting place has a dual purpose; it's a hideout from my grandchildren Alyssa ( 6), twins Marissa and Chrissa (6),whose
hilarious outbursts and acrobatics have scared him. Appu has misinterpreted the children's excitement to make friendship with him as hostile actions. Whenever the children extend their hands of friendship, he is sceptical and runs away. As for Ram, the yellow weaver bird, he is
packing up for departure , after a stay of 8 months. After months of hard
labour, he is leaving behind a worthless skeleton of an unfinished nest,
which is seen on a palm tree as a metaphor of stupidity. I felt it appropriate to send him off with some nice words.
Kuri
How are you gentlemen, after all these days?
Appu and Ram
Very well, what about you ?
Kuri
Everything is going well. Ram, I am saddened by your departure.Pal,
why don't you stay the whole year? Why depart?
Ram
I can't stand the extreme cold weather of this place. If I extend my
stay, I will freeze to death. I must escape to a warm place to survive.
Appu
If it's your choice, we'll let you go. I am heartbroken that you are
leaving empty-handed.
Kuri
Forget the past. There's no use crying over spilt milk. Let bygones be
bygones. Appu, nowadays I don't get even a glimpse of you. What's wrong?
Appu
I am in hiding, for fear of those three girls, Alyssa, Marissa and Chrissa. They are awesome. I am really scared of them.
Kuri
That's purely a misunderstanding. Outwardly, they seem to aggressive, noisy and troublesome, but inside they are soft and sweet like coconuts. Indeed,
they have great appreciation for you. So don't run away if they approach
you.
Appu
Well, I am still scared. How do you feel since their arrival ?
Kuri
It's like the sudden eruption of a volcano which has been dormant for
ages. They are everywhere, sometimes in all the rooms, sometimes outside,
exploring everything, climbing trees, watering the plants, plucking tomatoes, provoking neighbours' dogs ,so on and so forth.
Ram
So you have a nice time with them ?
Kuri
Yes, but I have to see to it that breakages are kept to a minimum.
They want to explore and experiment with everything. Nothing can prevent
them from finding a thing that they have singled out. Even if I find
' higher ground ' to keep something safe, they will find it by hook or crook.
Appu
How long will they be here?
Kuri
Till middle of May. Their father, Siby, will come in May, and all of us
will make a trip to Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.
Appu
What's the news from Kerala ?
Kuri
The election campaign is reaching its climax. Only 5 days left for
voting.
Ram
What are your predictions ?
I'm not a political pundit to make predictions. Anyway, nobody is expecting a clean sweep by any alliance. No leader is hugely and widely
popular. Every leader has his/ her shortcomings. That's why nowadays they
fear the people.
Ram
What about your final month ?
Well, by a strange coincidence, I am also in the process of a countdown .
I always say that some months are good and the others are bad.'Personally speaking', April is a good month, not only for me, but
also for teachers and learners, because it's a rare month in which
working days and holidays are 50/50. It's a season of a windfall of
holidays.
Appu
That's fantastic.
Kuri
The funny thing is that , after the holidays, while the teachers and
learners return to their respective schools, I don't need to return.
I will be on holidays without end, like a spacecraft of which
make friendship with the children.
Appu and Ram
Thanks, Kuri. Bye. Take care.
Kuri
Bye.
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