EK CHOTI SI LUV STORY..........

I heard my parents discussing that we were not going to our native place that summer. The vacation was long........ and I had nothing to do. My friends were away ......... I felt lonely.One morning, my father asked me to handover some book to Srivastav uncle .It was there that I met him.........

I was dumbfounded, when introduced to him.With great difficulty, I managed to utter a few words of greeting. He welcomed me with a smile and started chatting right away.Soon I was telling him about my hobbies and interests. We discussed about studies, books and subjects and so on. I promised to show him around as it was his first visit. Soon it became a daily ritual. We started going for long walks every evening.

I awaited these walks since it was a pleasure talking to him. He was a treasure of knowledge. He told me fascinating tales about the Rajput kings, distant lands, adventures etc.His personality and easy manners enchanted me.The time just flew and then one day he told me that he was going back to Allahabad. I was taken aback and did not know how to react. I asked him if I could accompany him. He smiled and wondered if my parents would allow me to go with him.

My parents were amused when I told them of my intentions! I wished to pursue my studies in Allahabad, visiting them during holidays. I was very hopeful of convincing them by shedding a few tears. But they were made of sterner stuff and my appeals were rejected outright. I was just nine, too young to understand their viewpoint.

With a heavy heart, I bid farewell to Mr.Srivastav, uncle of Srivastav uncle. The senior Srivastav, well into his sixties, was a retired school principal in Allahabad. Conversations with him were so enriching that I had wished to move with him to Allahabad and continue my studies there. Of course, my parents did neither share or appreciate this desire of mine. So, that was the end of my choti si luv story.
I loved the farewell gift, a book of stories about the Indian soldiers who fought and died for our country at Laddakh. The book titled 'Laddakh ke veer' was my favourite for years to come.........

THE LAST RITES

My sister had a very dear friend called Ranju.She had a pet bunny.Her bunny was very popular among all the kids.We took turns to feed it and loved to play with it.The bunny too seemed to enjoy all the attention.

One fine ( not so fine.....)day, the bunny fell sick. The bunnies are delicate darlings and need a lot of care.It just refused any feed and soon became very weak. One evening, when we returned from school, the bunny had died. As soon as we got the news,we all rushed to Ranju's flat.The poor bunny lay limp in her lap.....she was in tears. There was so much sadness in the air.

Her mother consoled her and instructed her to go down and bury the bunny. Suddenly, there was so much commotion in the air.The 'bachha gang' was greatly excited about the burial! It had opened a new avenue, unexplored so far.
The children were never taken into confidence whenever matters concerning 'death' came up.

The news spread wide and far.......the children gathered quickly to participate in the funeral.There was a great discussion about the burial ceremony. After a lot of deliberations a suitable place was selected and we dug a large ditch. We filled it with leaves and flowers to make a soft bed for our little friend. Then the bunny was lowered into the floral grave and laid to rest. There was a lot of excitement in the air. Flowers and leaves of all wild plants around were thrown over the body.Then it was covered by soil. The burial was over but nobody had the heart to leave. It was getting darker and we had to get back to our homes.

All of a sudden somebody started the national anthem. Everybody joined spontaneously and sang 'Jana gana mana..........' as loudly as possible. I still wonder what made us give such a patriotic burial to our little friend!