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1. Elephant Pet

Krishu was just five years old when her parents moved to a small town in northern part of India. She was admitted in Upper Kinder Garten (UKG) there. She had barely learnt to speak in Tamil and in this new land everyone spoke in Hindi. Though, there were two Tamil families in her vicinity who did bond well.

More than good speakers, she made friends with the one who doesn’t know how to speak in a language. She ran after butterflies. Loved to see peacocks spreading their feather. Threw fruits to see the monkey throwing something else back. Made earthworms to swim in a narrow water line. Fed lizards with May flies that scattered the place near lamppost. Followed frogs by jumping like them. Played with street dogs. Tried to imitate chirping birds and so on.

One day she had to come home alone from school as two of her pals took off. On the way, she saw a giant elephant. She was so amused and wanted to touch it. The moment she went near it, it stood up. She heard the trumpet and ran from there with all her might. She was horrified to the core and thought of keeping this with herself, thinking that everyone will make fun of her act. The elephant was brought to this place maybe for the local Dussehra fair that was held every year in a huge football stadium.

Next day, she was hopeful to see the elephant again. This time she was more confident as her friends were there with her. Again, the elephant stood up as she went near. This time she didn’t budge and gazed at it for long in amaze. Then, went on her way to home.

It became kind of a routine to see the giant after school. She started to keep a piece of roti or dosa or 1 idli or fruit for the elephant. They became good friends. Both waited for the school time to end to meet each other.

One day, she mustered all her strength and asked Dad if they can have elephant as pet. Now, it was Dad’s turn to be amused. She gave thousand reasons and all of them were falling deaf on Dad’s ear. He can only state in argument that no one raises elephants as pets in home. Krishu was very upset. Finally, Dad thought something and said with our earnings, we can’t afford to have an elephant pet. Krishu was like But, why Dada? See that poor fellow, with his tattered clothes and limited resources, he can take good care of it. Then, why not we? Dad was really at the splits of laughter. He somehow controlled himself as he didn’t want to upset Krishu.

Now, he tried to explain that elephant is all that the poor guy has got to earn something and we can’t take that from him. Besides after this fair, the elephant would like to be with its family in Jungle like we live in home. It made more sense to Krishu and she dropped the idea of having the pet.

As days passed, the elephant was not to be seen. By then, she learnt Hindi and made many friends in school and neighbourhood. The other ones also remained with her as besties forever.

2. Cycling Wasn’t So Easy

I started to learn cycling in the 5th grade and Dad was the coach – the driver of cycle. It was my brother’s old cycle with which Dad tried to teach me cycling. I used to sit, and Dad pushed it. I seldom pressed the paddle. I just kept my legs on it. Everyday Dad made 2-3 rounds on our lane. Finally, he gave up. Instead of making me to learn, he lost couple of pounds.

The next round of learning cycling started in 8th grade with my brother’s bigger cycle. This time, I did put some (my own) effort and learnt. But two incidents/accidents occurred.

# 1: Our home (colony) was on top of a small hill. So, there were many ups and downs (ramps and slides on road).

Dad made me start cycling from top of a small slope so that I need not to paddle initially and just had to balance. Then, apply break and stop the cycle as soon as I crossed the slope. I gradually started paddling.

After few days, one day, Maa called aloud to come home immediately when I was about to start from the slope. I applied the brake on slope, the cycle toppled. I tore both the knees. I still have the scar on my knees. Those were the most difficult days when my wound was healing as I couldn’t bend them for any reason.

# 2: After few months, I started cycling in our lane. Then, I dared to go out of my colony. For that, I had to cross a steep slope which connected the main road. One must turn right or left at the juncture to ride on the main road. I made the attempt. Successfully balanced the cycle and turned right. The speed, the gush of air, thrilled me. I did it many times. The next day, I planned to do the same. Alas! I failed. I couldn’t turn right immediately at the juncture and fell on the thorn bushes with cycle on top. My frock was torn here and there. I had multiple scratches on my legs and hands. I was awestruck. For a moment I didn’t realize what happened. If at all, I wouldn’t have gotten struck in the bushes, I might have fallen from the hilltop and landed on the vegetable market beneath the hill. Luckily, someone was passing by on the road. He helped me to gather myself. Before even helping, he said that please tell Sir that I helped you. I was like - for God’s sake, please help me first. He offered to help me to reach home as well. I thanked him for saving me on time. I was little scared that maybe I'll get scolding for not riding properly. Instead, they heaved relief as nothing happened to me. This time, the wound wasn’t deep. Thanks to my fluffy yellow frock.

In 9th standard, I got