Aahaa Chennai

Sometimes... a rearrangement, adds to the interest. Potted greens are enjoying being gazed upon by curious eyes, in a modern outdoor setting and are dreaming of the prospect of being shifted around once in a while. Also wishing... for some books alongside, to add to the homey atmosphere.   

A tale begins... The lake drew crowds. Children played under the trees. Birds arrived Nests and fledglings  dotted the scene. The lake fed water to many a locality. Along came drought... The rains went far far away. The lake reduced in size. Filth and sewage crept in. The colour of the water puzzled many. People walked past wrinkling their noses at the smell. The lake  dried up. Trees were felled. The land was barren. Birds gave it a miss. The sand laden trucks took over. The 'premium' land was eyed... Encroachments came up. Huts, buildings, a colony, shops,... Through the windows, the echo of quacking ducks and a shimmering n' placid expanse of water, with a cool breeze blowing in, caressing the cheeks with dots of moisture, went missing. Was there ever a lake? Old-timers nod their heads. Near the window of a tenement, which rests upon a 'once  picturesque' lake bed, sits a big sparkling can of drinking water, delive...

A walk brings to light a headless apparition. Kids passing by, peer at the eerie figure. A rotting tree trunk, eaten by hungry termites, gazes at you, with that haunted 'no more tears left' look, speaking silent tales of  a glorious  past, when wisps of sunlight would slide through its swaying green crown, playing a game of 'dance to the wind' over hordes of busy ants, marching in line over the hardened sand below, reminding you of a yet 'unfinished' task, for the present as well as future generations - planting and nurturing more trees.

It is beyond comprehension. The pre programmed process of the blooming of a flower keeps you guessing. Will it happen today, tomorrow or later? Sometimes your calculations go awry and do not coincide with Nature's. Nature's script varies.

A child's wishful thinking... If only coconuts grew on the ground... If only I could change a flower into any colour... If only trees grew tall in a day... If only a butterfly would land upon my stone bench... If only someone would paint a white line dividing the vast sky... If only my drawing of the sun came alive... Surprise! Some wishes do come true. A child's fascination with quirks of Nature knows no boundaries.