Author: rgsind
A Dance for Granny
Sanju was unhappy. Her grandmother had come to stay with her family, and Sanju had to give up her study room for her grandmother to use.
Sanju was upset because it was not just her study room, it was where she spent most of her time listening to music, playing, dancing or relaxing with a book. A lot of her precious stuff was in that room. Now, what was she going to do? Why had Uncle Rajesh left Granny with them?
Granny lived with Uncle Rajesh in their ancestral home. Sanju had met Granny only a few times as her parents hardly found time to pay them a visit.
To Sanju, Granny was an old person, who was ill and confined to a wheelchair. “What would she know about the current generation?” thought Sanju. Whenever Granny tried to talk to her, Sanju would promptly make her escape.
As days passed, Granny kept to herself in the room and spent most of the day listening to music in her old tape recorder. Sanju did not make any effort to talk to her, despite her parents’ insistence, and went to her room only if she wanted to get any of her things.
One day, Sanju was watching her favourite cartoon show, when the music from Granny’s room distracted her. It was a classical song that she was familiar with, as her dance teacher had just taught her a routine set to that song. The song was being played again and again.
“Ma, why is Granny playing that song again and again?” Sanju whined to her mother.
Ma shut her laptop and went to Granny’s room along with Sanju. She knocked but there was no answer. Ma slowly opened the door.
Inside, Granny was sitting in the armchair with her eyes closed. She was smiling and her eyelids flickered as if she was dreaming. Her fingers tapped on the armrest rhythmically.
“What is she doing, Ma?” asked Sanju.
“She is dancing,” said Ma, smiling at Sanju.
Sanju stared blankly.
“Come with me. Let me show you something,” said Ma.
Ma closed the door behind her and led Sanju to her room. She took out a bag from the cupboard and handed it over to Sanju.
“Take a look,” said Ma.
Inside the bag, there were several trophies and certificates from various dance competitions. All of them had Granny’s name on them!
“Granny was a dancer?” asked Sanju disbelievingly.
“Yes, she was a great dancer! But she stopped dancing after we were born. I found this among her belongings,” said Ma.
Sanju rummaged through the bag. At the bottom, she found an old video cassette.
“What’s in it?” asked Sanju curiously.
“Let us find out,” said Ma.
Ma brought down their old video player from the attic. She dusted it thoroughly, connected it, and played the cassette. It was a video of Granny dancing.
“I can’t believe Granny was so young and beautiful once! And look how well she dances!” exclaimed Sanju.
“Actually, she looks somewhat like you in her dance costume!” said Ma.
Sanju smiled. She was proud of her Granny.
“So, poor Granny imagines herself to be dancing every day,” said Sanju thinking loudly.
“Yes, that seems to make her happy,” said Ma.
Suddenly, Sanju brightened up. “Ma, I have an idea! How about we surprise Granny tomorrow?” she asked.
“How do you plan to do that?” asked Ma.
Sanju whispered her plan into Ma’s ears and the two chuckled.
The next morning, Ma wheeled in Granny to the living room which was beautifully decorated. Pa and Sanju were standing near the table, on which Granny noticed a cake.
“What is going on? What is this cake for?” asked Granny puzzled.
“It’s for you Granny! To the best dancer I know!” said Sanju, hugging her.
Granny was surprised.
“But before you cut the cake, here is a special performance by Sanju,” announced Ma.
Granny’s favourite song started playing, and Sanju danced to it.
Granny was overwhelmed with emotion. She laughed and cried, and applauded loudly when Sanju finished the dance.
Granny pulled Sanju into a tight hug and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Granny,” said Sanju.
“I love you too, my child. This is the best gift ever,” said Granny, wiping away tears of joy.
Colourful Confusion
It was a sunny day Meeku mouse stepped out of his house with his eye-catching colourful umbrella.
“Wow! Meeku, your umbrella is beautiful! Where did you get it from?” asked Blacky bear, looking at Meeku’s umbrella.
“I bought it in the city,” said Meeku proudly.
“Meeku, you should have bought one for me too! You know I love umbrellas,” said Jumpy monkey from the tree.
“I would have surely bought one for you, but the shop had only one in this variety,” replied Meeku.
“That’s okay, Meeku. The next time when you go to the city, please get me an umbrella just like this one,” requested Jumpy.
“Certainly! Next time I go to the city, I will definitely get you one,” reassured Meeku.
That day on, whenever Jumpy saw Meeku, he always asked about the umbrella.
“Did you go to the city?” asked Jumpy.
“Jumpy, this is the fifth time in four days that you are asking me this question! I have not had an opportunity to go to the city yet. If I had gone, wouldn’t I have got you the umbrella?” said Meeku with irritation.
Jumpy was offended. “Meeku, do you think that I can’t get one myself? I don’t need your help anymore!” said Jumpy angrily and walked away.
Jumpy was not seen in the jungle for the next two days.
On the third day, Blacky spotted Jumpy leaving his house.
“Jumpy! Where were the last two days? Do you know what’s been going on in the jungle?” asked Blacky.
“What happened?” asked Jumpy.
“Meeku’s umbrella has been missing since the last three days; looks like someone has stolen it,” said Blacky.
“Oh no! Who could it have been?” wondered Jumpy.
“Now tell me, where were you the last couple of days?” asked Blacky.
“I had gone to the city,” replied Jumpy.
“The city? Then you must have surely bought the umbrella! Do show it to me!” said Blacky.
“Surely, Blacky, but at I have some urgent work now. I will show it to you later,” said Jumpy hurriedly.
“Okay. I will come back later then,” said Blacky.
That afternoon, it was quite hot, so Jumpy went out carrying his umbrella. He met Jumbo, Blacky and Meeku along the way.
“Hi Jumpy! That’s a nice umbrella; it’s not as colourful as Meeku’s though. I thought you wanted one just like that,” said Jumbo elephant.
“I know, but the shopkeeper didn’t have one. He only had this black umbrella, so I thought since I had gone all the way to buy one, I might as well buy this,” explained Jumpy.
As they were talking, Titu butterfly flew over them carrying a bucket full of water.
“Careful, Titu! The water may spill over my umbrella!” said Jumpy nervously.
“But Jumpy, it’s an umbrella and it is supposed to be waterproof!” said Jumbo.
That’s when Jumpy realised he had blurted out.
“Yes, of course, but mine’s special and it’s new. I don’t want to wear it out so soon. Anyway, I have to go home now,” said Jumpy hurriedly.
Jumbo felt that Jumpy was behaving oddly. And as Jumpy turned to leave, Jumbo spotted some black paint on his tail. Jumbo realised what was going on. He got some water from Titu and sprayed it on Jumpy’s umbrella. To everyone’s surprise, the black colour was washed away, revealing a colourful umbrella. Jumpy was embarrassed.
“Hey! That looks exactly like my rainbow umbrella!” said a shocked Meeku.
“Yes, but it is not yours! I bought it from the city today,” said Jumpy holding on to his umbrella tight.
“Then why did you paint it black?” asked Meeku suspiciously.
“That is because as soon as I got to know that Meeku’s umbrella was missing, I thought everyone would assume that I was the one who stole it as my umbrella looks exactly like his,” explained Jumpy.
“In that case, prove that this is your umbrella. You must have the receipt as proof of purchase,” said Meeku.
“Actually, I was so excited that finally I was able to buy the umbrella that I forgot to collect the receipt,” replied Jumpy.
Meeku was not convinced. “You don’t have the receipt and you changed the colour of the umbrella—these clearly prove that you have stolen my umbrella!” shouted Meeku.
“No, I did not. Believe me!” said Jumpy.
As they were arguing, they heard someone call out to Meeku: “There you are, Meeku! I have been looking everywhere for you!”
Meeku turned around to see Cheeku rabbit walking towards them holding Meeku’s umbrella.
“Cheeku, is that my umbrella? Where did you find it?” asked Meeku surprised.
“Yes, it is. When I came over to your house two days ago, it was very hot, so you lent me your umbrella to carry back home with me. After that I had to go out of town urgently, so I couldn’t return it to you earlier,” replied Cheeku.
“Oh yes! I had completely forgotten about this,” said Meeku. He then apologised to Jumpy. “Please forgive me. I didn’t trust you and assumed you had stolen my umbrella,” said Meeku ashamed.
“That’s okay, Meeku. I now realise how my behaviour could have raised suspicion. I shouldn’t have tried to hide the truth,” said Jumpy.
“Both of you have learnt your lesson. Now, I have learnt mine—never step out without an umbrella in this heat!” said Jumbo, sweating profusely. Everyone laughed and gathered under the two colourful umbrellas.
All are Equal
Ayush’s mother returned from the market after buying vegetables. The next day was Aayush’s birthday and many of his friends had been invited home for dinner. His mother planned to make Aayush’s favourite dishes: vegetable pulav, aloo–mutter, palak-paneer and carrot.
Aayush’s mother took out the vegetables from the basket and laid them out on the table. She was about to put them in the fridge when she realised that it was time to pick up Aayush from the school. So, she left them as they were and left for Aayush’s school.
Seeing no one was around, the vegetables began chatting among themselves.
“I am the best among all of you,” said the potato proudly. “Everyone likes me. I can be boiled, fried, roasted or mashed to make several tasty dishes like vada pav, samosa, sandwich and pakoras!”
“Oh, that’s nothing! I am an essential ingredient in most dishes,” retorted the onion. “You just can’t make the dishes planned for the birthday dinner tomorrow without me. Moreover, people relish onion pakoras during rains; actually, they love to eat me any time!”
On hearing this, the carrot declared, “I am the best! Besides being added in the pulav tomorrow, I am also the star ingredient of Aayush’s favourite carrot halwa, which will also be served tomorrow! You don’t need potatoes and onions for it. I am so good for health that many even eat me raw.”
“I too am used in so many dishes besides the pulav,” said the peas. “Aaloo mutter, mutter paneer, mutter pooris, mutter patties…the list goes on!”
The cauliflower was not to be left behind. It said, “They use me to make most of the dishes you are used in as well. I am also used to make tasty gobi parathas, soups and salads.”
Then the tomato spoke up. “I am used in many preparations too. Several tasty gravies and sauces are made out of me. I am used in all types of cuisine,” it said.
More From Champak: The Proud Tortoise
“You all may be used in different kinds of dishes, but I am the healthiest of you lot,” said the spinach. “I contain all the nutrients necessary to maintain good health. In fact, doctors recommend eating leafy vegetables as much as possible. That is why I am the best.”
While the vegetables were quarrelling among themselves to prove that each was better than the rest, the coriander listened to them quietly. Finally, it spoke up. “I have heard all of your arguments and you are all right. Each of you has some benefits, but that does not mean one is greater than the other. We are all an essential part of the human diet,” it said.
“There are many preparations in which all of you are used like the pulav that is going to be made tomorrow. In the end, I will be added on top to garnish the dish. That does not decrease my worth. When we are all added together in the correct measure, people relish us,” the coriander added.
The coriander’s words made all the other vegetables realise that all of them are indeed equal. All the vegetables became friends and apologised to each other.
Just then, Aayush and his mother returned from school. As soon as Aayush saw the vegetables on the table, he became happy. Tomorrow, his mother was going to make his favourite dishes using all of these vegetables. The vegetables too shared Aayush’s excitement.
Pando’s Kindness
Pando was a kind-hearted panda. He would go out of his way to help the other animals in the forest in any way he could. Once, he spent an entire day helping Nini, the sparrow search for her chick who had gone missing.
Many animals liked Pando for his helpful nature, but there were some who would take advantage of him. Ray, the rhino was one of them. He was constantly looking for an opportunity to fool Pando.
One day, Ray got to know that Pando was looking to rent out his house urgently, so he came up with a plan. Ray met Pando the next day.
“Hello, Pando! How are you?” enquired Ray.
“Hello, Ray! I am fine. What brings you here?” asked Pando.
“I wanted to talk to you about the house that you plan to rent out. My friends and I have been asked to vacate the house in which we are currently staying as the landlord has planned to sell it So, if you can rent out yours to us, I will pay you whatever rent you ask for,” said Ray.
More from Champak: Don’t Hurt Plants
“Of course, Ray. I have been looking for tenants urgently too,” said Pando.
“Good, that works out for both of us then. But I have one condition. If you ask me to leave before three months, you have to pay me three months’ rent as compensation, and if I leave the house, I will pay you the same amount,” said Ray.
Pando saw nothing amiss in the condition, so he immediately agreed. Soon, Ray and his friends Bongo, the bull and Harry, the horse, moved into Pando’s house.
Within a few days, Pando started getting complaints from other the animals. regarding Ray and his friends.
“What kind of animals have you rented out your house to? They play music all night. The house smells, and they throw garbage into the river,” Skippy, the squirrel complained to Pando.
Pando decided to talk to Ray about this.
“Ray, why are you and your friends creating such a ruckus? All your neighbours are complaining about you,” said Pando.
More from Champak: EVERGREEN EMPATHY
“So what? We pay rent to live in this house, so we are free to do as we please. But if you want us to leave, we can do that. Just give us three months’ rent as compensation and we’ll be on our way,” said Ray, reminding Pando of the condition they had agreed upon.
It was then that Pando realised that Ray had laid a trap with that condition. Pando walked back home disappointed. As he was thinking how to handle the situation, he met Honi, the honeybee on the way.
“What’s the matter, Pando? You seem upset,” said Honi.
“Yes, I’m quite upset. Ray has put me in a fix,” said Pando sadly. He then explained everything to Honi.
After listening to his story, Honi said, “Ray has tried to take advantage of your kindness, but I have a plan.”
She whispered something into Pando’s ear and he immediately brightened up.
Next morning, when Ray was on his way out, he saw a large beehive right outside his house.
“Where did this beehive come from?” he wondered.
“You look surprised, Ray. Didn’t Pando tell you that this spot belongs to us. We have been building our hives here for years,” said Honi.
“You pests! This is my house! Go away from here!” said Ray.
“You can shout all you want, but we are not going anywhere,” said Honi coolly.
That evening, Harry played music over the radio loudly. All the honeybees came into the house and started to dance over his head. Harry became scared at the sight of a swarm of bees. He hid under the bed and didn’t come out for a long time.
More from Champak: Rose Becomes Humble
The next day, Bongo opened a bar of chocolate and was about to eat it, when he was suddenly surrounded by bees.
“Don’t you know that you should share food?” said Honi.
“Get away from me! This is my chocolate,” said Bongo angrily.
“You better share it with us, or else we’ll sting you!” said Honi.
As the honeybees closed in on him, out of fear Bongo dropped the chocolate and shut himself inside the bathroom.
Later that day, Harry and Bongo told Ray about the incidents with the bees. “We’re sorry, Ray. But we can’t live in this house anymore. You have to complain about them to Pando and do something about the menace,” they told him.
Ray went to Pando straightaway and said, “Pando, there are honeybees staying in our house. They keep threatening to attack us. It is difficult to live there anymore.”
More from Champak: The Winner
“These honeybees have been building their hives there for many years now. They give me honey as rent. But if you feel uncomfortable, you may pay me three months’ rent and vacate the house,” said Pando.
Ray realised that Pando had outsmarted him. He paid Pando the money and vacated the house along with his friends. He did not try his tricks with Pando again.
Everything is Possible
Meeku, the mouse was taking a walk when he saw an apple fall from a tree.
“An apple! Let me take it home. I’ll wash and eat it,” thought Meeku.
As he walked away, Billu, the cat reached there.
“You better hand over that apple over to me,” said Billu.
“No. I found it first,” said Meeku.
“Look! I want to eat fruits today. Otherwise, I would have eaten you first and then the apple,” threatened Billu.
“How can I trust him? He may gobble the apple and then eat me too,” thought Meeku and ran from that there.
Billu followed Meeku. Meeku reached a bridge and saw Bhiku, the wolf coming from the other side. Meeku froze. By then Billu also closed in on him.
“How will you save yourself now?” asked Billu, as he walked towards Meeku.
“Wait! Take the mouse if you want, but leave the apple for me. I have put on weight and the doctor has advised me to eat only fruits,” said Bhiku.
More from Champak: Musu’s Smart Escape
“My doctor has told me to have fruits because of my increased weight too. And I will spare this mouse as well. He has made me run so much that I am very hungry now,” said a panting Billu.
“Take the mouse if you want and leave the apple for me. You ran a long distance and so you must have lost weight. Now you don’t need to eat the apple,” said Bhiku.
“If that is the case, then I’ll take the apple and release this mouse. You chase him and lose weight,” said Billu.
“Stop arguing, Billu. It wouldn’t be good if I got angry!” warned Bhiku.
“Don’t try to dominate me. I’m not afraid of a foolish wolf like you,” replied Billu.
“How dare you call me foolish! Now, this mouse as well as the apple are mine,” said Bhiku, pulling Meeku towards him.
“You can’t do that. I had seen the mouse first, and so I will take the mouse and the apple with me,” said Billu, pulling Meeku towards himself.
Billu and Bhiku then began fighting over Meeku.
More from Champak: Meeku Saves the Day
“Why don’t you decide between yourself whom I should go with,” Meeku questioned while flinching with pain.
“Don’t interrupt!” shouted Billu.
“Both of you are pulling me and expect me to keep quiet!” cried Meeku. But Billu and Bhiku ignored him and continued fighting.
“Fighting will yield no result. Talk and find a solution” said Meeku.
“Meeku, we are know that you will play a trick on us to escape, but we won’t let that happen,” said Billu.
“I’m not trying to trick you. I just don’t want you to fight with each other,” replied Meeku.
“Really? Then how would you solve our problem?” asked Bhiku.
“Why don’t you toss a coin and decide?” suggested Meeku.
“That is a good idea,” agreed Bhiku. “Let’s do it then” said Billu.
“I’ll opt for heads,” said Bhiku. “I’ll go for tails,” replied Billu.
“And what if we get neither heads nor tails?” asked Meeku.
“What do you mean?” asked Billu and Bhiku in confusion.
“What would happen if the coin lands perpendicular to the ground that neither heads nor tails are up?” asked Meeku.
“How can that be possible?” they asked.
“Let’s just suppose that it happens. Then what shall we do?” asked Meeku.
“Then we will let you go,” said Bhiku and Billu in jest.
“Let’s go to the bank of the river and toss a coin,” said Meeku.
More from Champak: The Clever Turtle
“Why can’t we do it here?” asked Billu.
“If we toss here, my coin may fall into the river and I do not have another coin to toss again,” explained Meeku.
“In that case, let’s go to the bank,” said Billu.
All three walked down the bridge and came to the bank of the river.
“I’ll toss the coin in the air. If it’s heads, then Bhiku will win and if its tails, Billu will win,” said Meeku and tossed the coin.
Bhiku ran to see if it was heads or tails.
“Wait!” said Billu. “I don’t trust you. You may turn the coin in order to win.” He let go of Meeku’s hand and ran behind Bhiku.
When the two found the coin, they saw it standing perpendicular to the ground due to the moist and soft soil.
“Meeku was right! Everything is possible,” said Bhiku. Billu nodded in agreement.
“Look! Meeku is running away!” screamed Bhiku.
“Let him go. If we caught hold of him, we would have to argue again as to who would get the apple and who would get him,” said Billu.
“You are right,” said Bhiku.
The two returned home disappointed.
