Aahaa Chennai

Behold nature in a mysterious, breathtaking mode. Holding tight... will not let go. Can you guess why? Affinity for a fellow being.

Back then, there were just a few of us. I could relax. There was absolutely no feeling of being hemmed in. In recent times... the crowd has swelled. Sometimes it seems like I've been submerged. My freedom is gone. Thanks to my inner resilience I've waded through that. And now I can proudly say, I've learned to adjust gracefully and live with my counterparts.

Oh no! The periodic assessment is on. You may not see it but I sense... an invisible tremble of fear. Let's begin. Colour combination- 100% As per the rule book- 100% Appearance- 100% Variety- 100% Growth- 100% Value for money- 100% Gathering eyeballs- 100% Hey! Look below. What about my performance? Tenacity-100% Cheeriness-100% Spunkiness- 100% Fighting spirit- 100% Improvement shown -  100% Individuality-  100% Creative bent- 100% Thank goodness! The evaluation is done with. I salute you for the encouraging words. A secret news. The icing on the cake... Braving the odds - 200%

A shade of stunning yellowish green stands out amidst the other usual tints of green, refreshing glazed eyes looking dead tired, caught in the heat and dust, after hours spent gazing at lit up digital screens. No doubt you'll exclaim I look healthy and strong but I will fare even better when I am given space to grow. Coz its true and I emphasize it again and again... I do have the potential to grow.

Fluttery, dancing, sprightly butterflies make me sigh... How time flies! From... blowing balloons which go 'pop' in an instant to flying those 'I-simply-refuse-to-fly' kites. From... days filled with moulding unshapely mud pies, messy sessions of finger painting, crazily 'curious' days... amassing golden leaves and seeds, creating sticky artwork that leaves adults in tears. From... whispering  funny secrets, splashing water amidst squeals, presenting pouting pink lips thanks to licking lollipops, jumping upon sand castles while collecting seashells, discovering a 'bear shaped' cloud, talking nonsense to the beaming stars while beckoning a cheery moon. From... yearning for claps while preening as  'dressed up' grandma before a sly 'winking' mirror, holding sway as a stern teacher over a class of errant pupils... dad being enrolled as one or simply trying out mum's dresses as a wannabe fasionis...

I've been looking for a more challenging moment when I'll be pushed to my limits and here it is. The level is no doubt high but I will try my best. Let it not be said... I did not try hard enough.

Ah! A momentous day. The new visitor has arrived. Hidden amidst the foliage, away from the heat, the very curious butterflies, those noisy squirrels running about, the 'all surveying" clever crow, the 'cannot-escape-us' ants clammy hands eager to pluck, lil' fingers wanting to cosset, the new visitor to the garden lies in wait. It is time for the revelation. Ah! A unique one indeed. Hello! Look below. I helped create this visitor. Usually, I would be an empty pack lying alongside thousands of  such discards filling up the trash bins.