Aahaa Chennai

Striking green! This was the first impression, bringing to mind images of  picture perfect green fields, pleasing to the eye. Eager hands dug into the soil to plant broken bits of spinach stems, waited and watched as days flew past... until one sunny morning, eyes widened at the sight of tender tufts of  baby leaves peeping out, their green heads turned towards the blue sky as if to say my hue is as bright as yours. Nurtured and watered by caring arms, they grew surrounded by jumping squirrels and noisy crows,  to reach full splendour. Plucked and tossed by expert hands, turned into a spinach stew with a dash of lentils, even the ever finicky connoisseur of food was compelled to award an A+ for this homegrown treat, which had that something extra, aside from the all pervasive aroma of pepper. A taste that lingered on in experienced taste buds  as compared to shopped stuff. Time to say hello to homegrown garden treats. 

Here I am...waiting for my meal. The pile has arrived. Ah! So many. I wish I could count. Oh good! Some look huge. Hope I get to taste those. I did try to climb onto the top but then I almost fell,  ending up with a smut on my nose. Quite an adventure, I must say, to relate to my young ones. At last, the waiting has ended but sad to say it is just one. I'd better grab it before my flying neighbours descend. Let me describe to you...how I relished licking and scraping off the white leftover bits sticking to the shell with my razor sharp teeth. Add to this, the taste of tender coconut water lingering in the shell and  it was a gourmet's delight. My stomach is half full. Time to move on, as I intend to savour other fruity flavoured delights. Bye! Will return later with another riveting account.

Leaves rustled, a soft whisper which permeated down to the velvety grass. The gentle creaking of the branches signalled a tune, orchestrated by the wind. Click... it was the familiar sound of a light being switched off. Drip, drip... the continuous melody from the nearby tap evoked a drowsy feel. Caw, caw... hungry crows flew past, their  notes akin to a soprano. As the soft rays of the dawn crept in, the silent grasshopper moved gently, soothed by familiar sounds. Suddenly he jumped. Oh well ! It had to start sometime, he thought. All good things certainly came to an end... sooner or later. Jumping and landing  he gazed...puzzled at the black object on the porch, emitting loud sing-song notes. Strangely though, the tune changed ever so often, drifting in from all directions. He jumped again. Not a tech-savvy type, he made a quick decision.  A green  mound further away beckoned.

Tucked away deep inside a faded album... the frail, wrinkled face with a toothless smile beckoned. Here we go... bouncing up, bouncing down. Up, down...up, down. Listen to the sing-song voice of a silver-haired rocking horse. Laughter abounds. Holding hands and balancing, the  little cherub goes swinging again and again. Repetition is just a game. A wibbly-wobbly seat plus loads of shaking fun. No tears, no homework for flailing arms and legs. Rewards aplenty... More vigorous bouncing amidst guffaws, giggles, wriggles. Set in a feel-good institution that's cheery, funny, quirky innovative, wise, cuddlesome. You've been there. So have I. An age old favourite... Also grandma's pet peeve, her sorely tried and tested knee has many a tale to tell!

Getting ready to leave? Is everything there? Of course. Here it goes.. Pen, wallet/purse, credit cards, cash, lists of things to do/ to buy, keys, mobile phone, ear phone, charger, important pills for emergencies, snacks to munch, toiletry items...and many more depending on who you are. But there is something forgotten here which should go side by side with your shopping list. Someone who provides a home for us..demands it. Ah! It is our voiceless Earth. What could it be? A simple thing tucked away in the farthest corner of the shelf in every home. Bring out your cloth bags in full force. They are crying out for fresh air.

Eyes scanned the area up and down. The traps were evident. Some advice was deemed necessary. The more experienced ones would know of a foolproof method. Reinforcements arrived. The long march began, with some entrusted with the task of keeping an eye out for enemies who would crush mercilessly. Up, up over the wall...down, down through the window, a circuituous route skirting heavy wooden pieces; they arrived and clambered up. The mountain was reduced to rubble. Some attacked on the spot. Other began carting away the spoils. The tall grandfather clock grimaced at the long line of very determined warrior ants laden with laddoo bits spoiling his gleaming framework. So finishes the tale of a ... photo of heaped up laddoos standing proudly atop grandma's table!