Aahaa Chennai

The sun wakes up smiling and decides to make its presence felt. The patch of rain clouds spread over the Eastern sky pause awhile. They do not wish to leave. The cool wind blowing, caressing soft cheeks, bringing with it a whiff of shiny drops, dithers... Should it stay or leave? The warm wind, ready and waiting nearby, takes over and just when the sun decides to bring in its strongest rays, the rain clouds rush past in a fit of mischief and let go a few drops, drops that can be counted. Truly, did it rain? Oh yes! It did. Within seconds... the rain clouds vanish and the sun gets extra busy, drying up those few wet dots, showing up, here and there, on the ground and on the soil. The leaves sway gracefully, aglow with the touch of those few refreshing drops, they were fortunate enough to receive and enjoy. Water series:8

Peering into the glass of water in your hand, your mind shifts back, miles away... The eyes are searching for something. Where is it ? The tiny n' round prescribed pill, broken into two halves, nestled inside a small palm, lies waiting. Minutes tick away... and a hand stretches out with a cup. Ah! Water at last. The action begins. Water trickles inside the throat along with a half portion of the pill. The small face contorts. You can hear screams and groans. Water spills. Did the pill go in? No, no! It is stuck... somewhere on the tongue, which tries and tries, desperately, to dislodge it. More water goes in. Some more is needed. Tender hands soothe. A calm voice cajoles. Comforting hands hold tight those anxious n' flailing arms. Then comes a cough, a bit of spluttering and some tears, plus, a bitter taste in the mouth. Amidst the copious tears, inside the usually cheery eyes of a brave n' young pill taker, who is wan...

The child was excited. The bottle was ready and so was her plastic bucket filled with water. The task: to fill the bottle without spilling the water. Could she do it? 'Focus,' said her mind but her fingers were shaky. Just a matter of acquiring that 'finger-hand-eye' coordination. Oh no! The water spilt. 'Never mind,'  consoled grandma. 'Try again.' This time... the bottle stood upright inside a bowl. Whatever was spilt fell into the bowl and was fed to the plant nearby. After many tries... the child laughed aloud. She had done it. There were claps all around. Not a drop was spilt. A gurgling sound... the child enjoyed cool sips, from the water, she had painstakingly filled into the bottle. Nature ensures... Learning is fun. Water series:6

One sunny morning, a magical tale unfolds: A meeting was on. The plan was drawn up and finalised. The team leader spoke of many tall friends awaiting their arrival. Preparations began. Dark clouds gathered. The participants, then, descended upon the venue, a paradise of trees. They began the painting job in earnest, adding one silvery drop at a time, to the vast expanse of lush foliage. Next came the turn of the flowers, the buds, the fruits, birds, the bees, the squirrels and insects. Not to be left out were the branches, the trunks and the soil, which, showed off their shimmery coats. Last came the turn of the roots, which took more time, because, they needed a much deeper coating. The painting of raindrops strung all over the trees looked inviting. The wind thought, the trees were decked with too many pearly necklaces and took away some. The sun rose up high and smiled. The white fluffy clouds rolled past in happiness. The raindrops ha...

   "Readying for travel" A journey by bus and a checklist : Handbag/backpack- yes Phone/devices - yes Purse/wallet- yes Handkerchief - yes Pen - Yes Medicines ( if any) - yes Pocket address book- yes Pouch with Small change - yes 'To do' list - yes Cloth bag for purchases - yes A hand stretches out to offer something. The words... 'you've forgotten this,' echo in the background. Oh! A bottle ...and water. The water inside the bottle, ensconced in a safe corner inside your bag, rolls around merrily, as the bus climbs in and out of  a pothole. Water Series: 4