One green finger

The time has come
to engage little hands
that are eager to toil.

It is also time for a bit of freedom
with muddied  frocks and shirts,
time to feel the varied textures of mud,
time to shape up those
burgeoning n' curious fingers,
with a bit of green magic.

A handful of ochre hued, tiny stones jingle jangle, jingle jangle in a bowl.
These are today's heroes... methi seeds .

Soak 'em in water overnight.

Remove  and embed in wet soil .

Curious heads gather to gaze
at the group of  two-leaved wonders,
that push their way slowly out
from their brown abode,
twisting and turning their
pale creamy stems,
shaking off their enforced slumber
inside the earth,
stretching their arms and heads
to welcome a dazzling sun...
these 'goings on' taking a week's time,
a small magnifying glass and
a pair of handy binoculars,
adding interest to the morning routine.

Little ears are all agog
to hear the tale...
tiny green leaves
no bigger than a teardrop,
armed with a spirited 'iron' weapon,
help lil' fingers/lil' bodies grow strong,  chase away infection carrying gangs,
and tenacious anaemia monsters
that endlessly trouble
the young and the growing.

A tiny plateful of leaves
is carried to grandma's kitchen
and the resulting 'wows'
makes the leaves turn their heads
and lift up their collars...
says a giggly seven year old,
whose mud tinged  palms
show signs of  hard work.

Achievement:
one green finger=a plate of methi leaves.

The Treat:  Helpings of crispy Methi Khakras

The Target: Ten green fingers...
coriander seeds, mustard seeds,
whole moong and many more,
all wanting those splendid green wings.