NATURE'S DELIGHT OR FRIGHT

                              It was May and we--- I and my sister had come home for the hols from hostel. It was so hot in our town --- Ariyalur  that we were sweating like anything.  Our father seeing our plight chalked out a plan --- a short trip to the famous Nilgiri hills. As you all know it is also called Ooty  the hillstation with so many hair pin bends.  Both of us jumped in joy and immediately started packing for our trip. The next we started early in the morning in our own car .  Our father engaged a driver  and our family four in number could comfortably seat in our own vehicle .With a nice holiday ahead and loved ones near , I was dreaming of a memorable time. the journey started really happy with me and my sister playing antharaskhiri , my father trying to his daily suduko and my mother listening to music .

                          The pleasant breeze  was filled with the aroma of tea dust as we reached the foot hills of Nilgris.  Our driver seemed to be an expert in driving through hills that he passed each hair pin bend with ease.  we halted at Cunnour for lunch as it was already half past  two and we were also feeling hungry. During lunch me and my sister discussed about the places to be seen in Ooty.  my sister was sure that she would find flower exhibition the best with thousands of roses dancing to the tunes of music whereas I thought that botanical garden would become my favourite. We also looked forward to boating inthe Ooty lake . As the lunch got over  my father said that he felt sleepy and he wanted to lie down in the grass there.  A few minutes passed by  I found that our driver was becoming restless. I asked ' what happened?' He said 'we have to start soon and reach Ooty quickly' '  But why?'' let's enjoy our trip let's not hurry. ' my sister told the driver.   The driver looked hesitantly at us and said 'it is difficult  to drive when it becomes dark.'  Are you short sighted?' my sister immediately threw a question at him and started giggling. The driver looked obviously hurt at the remark and my father sensing  that the journey would be spoilt because of our foolish talk asked the driver to resume the journey.

            We had not even travelled for ten minutes that it suddenlybecame quite dark. From nowhere came a big cloud of mist  disabling us from seeing any thing. Though for a few seconds we enjoyed the mist, immediately a sense of fear , anxiety caught us  Our driver could no longer see the way and he stopped the vehicle for the fear of falling down in the valley. My father looked worried and  my mother shaken. 'How long will it last?' 'cannot tell. might stay for an hour or a night.' the driver's voice was worried too. we cannot continue until the mist clears.it is dangerous to drive we cannot see the hairpinbends clearly.' 'but it is not safe to park our vehicle in this uphill near the bends like this.. the coming vehicles  may not see us in this mist.' said my father.  'there is no other alternative but to wait for the mist to clear, sir' said the driver. 'our car does not the powerful lights which can be used to see during fog or mist.' he added. who thought that there would be such a thick mist  in the month of summer. In the next few minutes it became so dark that we could not see even the faces of us in the leave alone outside. I started praying for the mist to clear. I had  read about the mist in Enid Blyton 's Famous Five  stories but  never expected the same to happen to us. I could feel my sister clutching my hand in fright.  We could hear the sounds of jeeps and  Tata sumos  passing by us.  perhaps there were locals used to the path and mist--- we never knew. After a few minutes a jeep stopped by us. 'got struck in this mist.  it is quite heavy . it may take a few hours to clear. as it has already become  six in the evening  you might face problem even if it clears. so , why not follow us . we have got powerful yellow lights. ' the jeep driver spoke to us. 'Is it ok to do so?' my father. 'I will try otherwise we have to stay here stranded  the whole night. ' Saying so he started following the jeep.  The jeep driver too went rather slowly enabling us  to follow him easily. After an half hour 's journey  we could see that the mist started clearing slowly.  Ten to dozen vehicles were parked all along the path unable to proceed . After we reached the zone of safety  we all thanked God for landing us safely at Ooty. I can never forget this  in my life and it is one of the best experiences I had with nature.

BUTTERFLY

One fine morning a butterfly was born
    from it's nest it had wriggled and torn
 it's feathers red with tiny white spots
    long antennas and eyes sparking a lot
 it flew in air making rounds and rings
    very, very  proud of its beautiful wings

the sun bright and the breeze pleasant
     the flowers nodding happily its ascent
ready to give their sweet nectar and honey
      in return they never ask money
nature always humble and polite to all

       whether rich, poor , big or small.


but this cute butterfly proud to the core
      thought little of  the danger and its beauty more
flew near a park where children played
      fluttering its wings in pride it swayed
 Alas a boy caught it in delight
        now think off the butterfly's plight
            
SO REMEMBER CHILDREN

  pride comes before a fall
       to be humble is good for all
to scale the heights of success wall
        hard work and simplicity the needed ladders, after all
the more you bend  the more we stand tall

         we  should keep it in mind above all

GREED LEADS TO FALL

                   Raj was eagerly waiting for the evening to come,  for Prema's  father was giving a party to announce Raj as his son-in law. Though not many were attending the party and it was meant for a intimate few friends, Raj was extremely happy  that his plan was working out.  He infact wanted a very few who did not trouble to attend. He was worried  that all his plans would fail if too many came. He had proposed to Prema recently only for the wealth behind her. Not that she was not good to look but he had met more beautiful women in his life.  He had a fluctuating mind and was never satisfied with what he had. Till recently he had dated Aruna , his collegue and  friend for four years.  But what happened to their  affair , God only knows , one fine day  he called it over. She tried to contact him and ,reach a solution but in vain. She was deeply hurt  but after coming to know about his flimsy  mind she was happy that she was saved .
               He dressed perfectly for the party, got a big bouquet for Prema ,  had a small drink and started for his inlaws house. He was sure that his life would change with this marriage. A wealthy man 's  only daughter---both beautiful and clever was going to marry him. He had tried hard to make her fall for him and even more harder to keep his  previous affairs  secret. His only thought  now was to quickly get married  and become inheritant to her property. 
                  When \Raj reached Prema's house , he found it beautifully decorated  and swing with activity. He was cordially invited inside and taken to the big hall  where the party was to begin.  He was made to sit  and offered a drink. 'Uncle where is Prema?' he asked with honey buttered voice.Before his to be uncle answered, Prema entered looking gorgeous. She looked like a angel from heaven  showering all good things on him. The music played there was rocking. the lights pleasant to the eye and  relatives and friends busy entertaining each other.  Raj had something to eat, again a peg and then started becoming impatient. His uncle was busy entertaining his guests. He found no trace of his uncle introducing him to the guests as his son-in law. He called Prema and asked about this. She smiled beautifully and said 'my dad is waiting for the most important people to come.please have patient.'SO Raj had no other go but wait.

                  After an other fifteen minutes  had passed two cops entered and approached him. 'sorry to disappoint you.  we are here  to arrest you'
  'but why?' Raj was completely confused.  'because  we have got complaints from  women that you  cheated them  in the name of love and marriage.' but '....'who has given complaint against me'Raj stammered. 'WE'  came voices from all sides.  Out came the three ladies Geetha, Radha and Aruna  from the three different rooms.  They were his  ex lovers whom Raj had cheated in the previous affairs. 'but  uncle this is your prestige issue . you willnot like your son in law to be hand cuffed. you have to do something.'Raj turned towards his would be father-in-law and  shouted in anger. 'Yes I have done something. I have  only called the cops . I will not sit  quietly and watch my daughter's life fall in wicked  hands.  The day my daughter told about you I started enquiring about you  I came to know about your character . I could have got you arrested you long back. but it was my daughter who had this plan.  she didnot want any other woman to get cheated by you after she quit.'  Prema came forward and sarcastically,''cops take him into custody.''  Now she didnot look like an angel but like goddess Durga who punishes wrong doers.  Raj understood that his life had indeed changed that evening. He had not got wife or wealth but  only punishment and prison. That evening had indeed put him on fire not the one which gave energy or escatsy but the one which enlightned him . Hope he comes out  of the prison as a changed man  just like gold comes out pure after taken out from fire.

DO NOT BRIBE DO NOT CORRUPT

  Anna Hazare--some say he is another Gandhi. But why should he alone fight against corruption when most of us go on doing our work without even stopping to think about him for a few seconds .Is it not every one's responsibility to strive for a cleaner state? What does he gain by refusing to eat or drink, except spoil his health? If these questions come in your mind , then you should try to revive your knowledge in history. He is trying to do what Gandhi did during freedom struggle.  ACHIEVING  YOUR GOAL THROUGH AHIMSA. Only difference is that Gandhi was lucky enough to have true followers  and corruption was also not that strongly rooted those days. But now most of us say YES to  Anna's words but do not show them in action. Yes we all  want to drive away corruption but donot hesitate to bribe sometimes to get our works done. This bribing starts from home with a small amount.  we give our children money or in other  name---TIP  to get us some groceries or pay bills or be it anything. this habit continues when he grows big and expects to being paid for all that is being done by him . in fact he even forgets to do some charity work. Who is to be blamed?  Is it not us, elders who should take responsibility?  It is very difficult to change the present generation We should see that atleast the next generation is free from corruption. We cannot change the whole nation in one go. But we can certainly succeed if we work out things in right direction with the future generation

FROM EXCITEMENT TO ENLIGHTMENT

                    As I stepped out of my office  I  decided to make the evening the memorable one. indeed it was to be the most important day in my life.I was going to meet  for the first time  the person whom I intended to make my life partner . the interesting part of it was that I have not seen her till now. I met her through facebook and learned a lot of details about her. she lives in a different city with her parents. she is pure vegetarian, loves dogs, knows music and soft spoken.she was going to vizag to attend her cousin's marriage. she requested me to meet her at the railway station as the train would stop there for half an hour. her parents were also travelling with her and she said that she would introduce me to them. I was very excited about meeting her and from the morning  I could hardly concentrate on anything.

                  I had already gone a kilometer  from my house towards the station when my cell rang. To my horror it displayed my project manager's number and my mind got blocked for a second. I lifted it and my manager's voice , rather harsh and blunt asked me about the papers needed for the next day's meeting.I said that I had them safely in my desk in the office. he said with a sarcastic laugh ' how will I prepare for tomorrow if you have them safely with you.  see that they reach me soon.'  my exited feelings  for the evening burst like bubbles.I thought for a second  returned home, took my office desk keys, and went to my college's house who lived near me. After buttering  him for few minutes ,I requested him to the papers to the boss residency and deliver them. my boss lived far away and  didnot have that much time to go personally. I think my stars were in my favour for he agreed.I sighed a sign of relief and started again to the station but not before switching off my cellphone. I did not want any third person to waste my time anymore. Though I did not have ample time ,it was enough for me to buy a present for her and reach the station. I reached the book stall quickly selected the book ' NOTHING COMES FREELY' by K S RAO . She was a regular follower of this author and  liked his writings.  I was pleased with my selection and started  my vehicle.

                       I had not even gone a few yards  when a buffalo came from somewhere and hit my vehicle  so strongly that my handle bar was  disturbed . I fell down and  hurt my leg. my pant was torn a little bit and my vehicle refused to start. iI cursed my stars now and tried to see what the problem  was. though i tried for ten minutes it was in vain.  time was running out. I was bitterly disappointed, badly needed help. Again the stars came to my rescue and sent help.  a boy or man--I cannot describe now came that way. seeing my plight he offered help.this is the greatness of our INDIANS. If we see anyone  be it familiar or stranger we are ready to help.  It did not take more than few minutes from him to set it right. I thanked him whole heartedly and again started but now I was not exited as before  rather reluctant. my pant was not in decent condition and hands and legs were both aching. I badly wanted to go home and take rest  but her eyes looking out for me in the station made me proceed.
                           Slowly limping with pain I reached the station  I noticed that  the time then almost over. the train may leave the station any time . I neither knew the compartment number nor the berth number. So I took the cell  from my pocket and  switched  it on so that I could ring up her to  find them. As soon as I switched it  I immediately  received a message It was from her. It read' why are you not lifting the phone dear?  We are  held up here some four hundred kilometers from the city by some protesters demanding a separate state. It might be midnight by the time we reach station. So please donot wait for me. we shall meet during our return journey. see you soon . sorry for the disappointment dear.'  NOW I JUST CANNOT EXPLAIN MY FEELINGS THIS EVENING. Is it sad or hurting  or disappointed evening? but surely it could not be forgotten .  now I felt the pain back in my limbs.  I needed to eat something. I entered the kfc stall there to have something. Hope it will atleast bring back the lost energy in me. I  completely understood that fate plays an important role in anyone's life.

MONEY LOST ITS WEIGHT

every day as i sit with my cup of coffee and  newspaper early in the morning, my wife starts her routine nagging. 'why don't you  go for a morning walk or a jog?  see your waistline is expanding. you might land with problems in near future. you should go to a . '.......this speech goes uninterrupted till i complete my coffee and newspaper and enter the washroom to have a bath.  but today i decided to give her speech a thought.
                      so i started early from my office to visit a weight reducing center. at first i had difficulty in selecting the center as there were many growing like mushrooms.offering different types of discounts and offers.. but with the help of my friend i  zeroed a center  and reached there. i developed a uneasy feeling--- but not sure whether it was in stomach or heart --- as i climbed the steps.  i even thought of returning.  but my wife's nag, i think, pushed me forward.

                     the receptionist  there behind the desk, i suppose, did not have faith in the clinic for she was too fat to describe. she registered my name phone number, address and showed  me another room. the moment i entered the room i was surrounded by a couple of people who made me sit .they immediately started their preliminaries. one started checking my BP while the other checked my eyes, nails  and weight . another lady give me a paper which looked like a questionare.  i had to answer a lot of  questions. i am sure that i didnot such a test  even during my job interwiews. it was about my food habits, sleep habits , hereditary.... after i completed it , i was given a glass full of  liquid which was dark brown in colour and not to mention its taste. i hestitated to have it  in the beginning but after a long discussion with the lady there i decided to drink. but before having it  i wanted to be sure that i would not feel dizzy and reach home safely. to ring up to my wife my prestige prevented and so i rang my friend and made sure that he would pick me up if i didnot contact him within half an hour. but nothing happened  in the next half an hour and i was sitting safely waiting for my next instruction. then a lady came and asked me to pay a hefty  four digit amount at the counter and collect my medicine . thank  god it was my salary day  and so i had that amount in my pocket or otherwise  i couldn't have pulled such a big amount . they gave two small packets in return for the four digit big amount  and asked me to take a spoon of the both with water early in the morning and visit them after a fortnight.
                     as i stepped out of the slimming center  i felt my heart heavy instead of my body. the whole month's budget was disturbed . all the people--milkman, groceries,electricity bill, rent ,children fees,money for my mother's medicine --all issues seemed to dance before me madly.  i am not sure if these medicines are going to make me slim but  my wife making me help her in the daily chores walking down to my workplace instead of using my two wheeler will certainly. What an evening to rob me off from my cup of coffee, newspaper and happiness!