The Restless Boy Returns…

This is a sequel to my September post “The Restless Boy”. Majority of the readers wanted a sequel and after taking my own time to bring it into a presentable manner, finally here it is. Go on my dear reader, check what the boy is up to this time. I’m sure you could spot mischief in his cute little eyes.

The rattling sound of bullock carts, herd of buffaloes grazing, earthen pots being sold on pavements, women walking on foot through mud tracks and balancing brass pots full of water on their hips, flakes of dull green cow dung on either sides of the road - yes, you guessed it right, we are at the threshold of a village, the place where the cute little boy lives. It is vacation time for him and we are sure to find him engrossed in games.

Now we have reached his house. His mother is sitting in the veranda and stitching a patch on the old umbrella. The jar which used to be packed with home-made country cakes is now empty; definitely the boy is not at home. As usual, he is on an outing. Come, let’s catch him.

The boy is nowhere to be seen. On his way home from school, he used to often spend hours in the mango orchard, wandering around in search of the ripened fruit. Sometimes he goes in search of a disused well and peeps into it to estimate its depth. But as it is vacation time, he does none of these and hence it’s difficult to spot him.

Look, there he is, the boy is as cheerful as ever. He is not wearing a shirt but is busy chasing dragon flies in the fields.

Look, the boy is sitting on the bamboo fence and staring at the chameleon. He is busy observing with innocent eyes, the way it changes its colour.

Look, the boy, though soaked in sweat, dances restlessly to the tune from the latest film as dust clings to his wearied feet.

Look, the boy is hiding among the rocks and feeding on the sunlight and the wind.

Look, the boy is sitting on the bank of a river and throwing stones into it. He laughs as the ripples shy away.

From clothesline hung in the courtyard, a crow caws as the boy returned home for lunch. He draws cool water from the deep well and takes a bath. He sings his favourite song while washing his dust stricken body. What is he having for lunch? Well, I could spot salty mango pickle on a green plantain leaf. Wait, he is now mixing the steaming rice with the pickle and ghee. He is gobbling tiny morsels of the steamy mixture.

Just after lunch, is the boy relaxing, where is he? Look, there he is in the garden, playing with earthworms of various sizes.

It was a long sun burnt day and finally after his days work, the sun was packing his bags, giving way to his counterpart, the cool moon. Oil was poured and the temple lamps were lighted. Then, the temple bells started ringing. The boy on hearing them ran down the lane and hurriedly climbed the steps and reached the temple.

There were fireflies in the temple surroundings and the boy looks astounded as he notices a spark at the end of each firefly’s tail. As the temple deity was being decorated with scented tulasi garlands, the boy smears his forehead with vibhuti and sindoor and offers prayers to God, wishing that his mother should give him innumerable chocolates, biscuits and sweet pan cakes.

the cute little boy is restless, as always…