Varu is generous

'Look. I am going to take 50₹ from my piggy bank. ' said Varun to  Vardhini . 'But what for' she asked. 'Don't you remember  today is our classmate Rahul's birthday. I will  buy  him a gift. 'said Varun.  Did you tell mummy? asked Vardhini  Now I will tell her and go to the shop Will You come with me ?' asked Varun. 'No Varun . I am busy painting . you go and  buy what you like 'answered Vardhini without lifting her head. She had almost finished her painting.  'YeahThis picture looks very nice. You are very good at art ' Appreciating his sister he went to see his mother.Soon he got his mother's  permission and was off to the shop on the Rangan road 

      The gift shop was not yet open and Varun decided to wait before the shop .  He sat on the steps of the shop and started watching the people on the road. All of them seemed to be busy with their work. The jewellery shop nearby was open and one family was busy buying something. On the otherside  the xeroxand stationary had no customers  Before the shop  was a big tree.Under the tree sat a poor lady with her two children.  Her saree was almost torn. and the children were shabbily dressed. The children were hungry and crying for food. She was continuously asking foralms from all the passerbys. Some took pity on her and dropped a rupee or two in her begging bowl  Many didn't take notice of them . 

        Varun again looked at them . The younger one was continuously crying in hunger. He  saw a road side hotel nearby It had a board reading 

             One plate idi. Rs 30

             One plate dosa  Rs 30

              One plate poori Rs40

              One cup of milk/coffee/ tea. Rs20

    Varun quickly decided and went there . He boughta plate of idli and a cup of milk with the money he had  He went near the hungry children and gave them the food.He felt very happy and satisfied. 

    

Small deeds of kindness

It was a hot summer sunday afternoon'. Mamma and Pappa were having the afternoon nap. Varun and Vardini six year old twins  were playing in their room.They feltbored playing inside. 

   'I am goingto the garden with my ball and bat. 'Said Varun ' Will you join me' he asked 'Oh it is so borng. You don't  allow me to bat. Instead I will bring my new storybook and read it for you .'

    'Crazy  Stop thinking you are Alice and  dreaming about  wonderland . Instead play with me  and you can improve your strength 'teased Varun. Don't  be so rude Varun  Ok I will play with You for sometime  . Later you have to listen to my story  '. Vardhini agreed.  You go   and  arrange the stumps to play I will go to the kitchen and get waterbottle for us. We may feel thirsty after playing. 

     Soon bothof them started playing under the shade of a mango tree in their garden   After some time Varun felt thirsty and asked for water. Wait Iam also thirsty. I will first drink and then give you. . said Vardhini  No I asked for water first. So saying he tried to snatch the bottle from Vardhini. But Vardhini also held firmly. and didn't easily give up. In their fight  both of them let the bottle down. Thecap was loose and water fell on the ground and made a puddle. Immediately a tiny bird from the branch of the mango tree  flew down and started drinking the water. 

   I think it is also thirsty like us. Said Varun . You are right. That is why wr have keep water inbowls in our house . It will help the birds ,squirrels. and other animals to quench their thirst. Said mamma.  She had been watching them for sometime.. Ok Mummy  I will go and get a bowl for this tinybird. I will see that it is filled with clean water every day Said Vardhini. 'Mummy give me some grains. I will feed it every day. Said Varun They both felt happy . Mummy was also happy to see them do a good deed  .

THE. HEAVENLYBLISS

              GUESS WHAT I LIKE THE BEST

No toffees nor sweets

No icecream or parties

No toy or talking doll. 

Neither the bouncing ball

          Not the colourful drawing pens

          Nor the water filled guns

          Nothing impresses me at all

          Like the happy happy rainfall

I like to stand under a branch and shake

Enjoy the droplets at dawn when I wake

The pleasant smell of Mother Earth dear

 The  drumming noise of raindrops  cheers

            It is a blessing from heaven

           Giving life even to land barren

           stops me from going to school

           Plying paper boats on road side pool 

SPENTING

             Today morning as I woke I had a strange Idea. Yesterday being the last working day of the month my salary had been credited to my account.To my surprise I found a six digit figure as my balance . I guessed that some bonus and some shift allowance was added to my regular salary and so it showed that big amount. I was quite pleased with myself añd decided  to maintain the balance atleast for a day. You all are familiar with the concept of fasting.  Most people fast on auspicious days.  They spend the whole day on fruits and milk.  They don't eat cooked food till they complete their fasting. I thought why not we do 'spent' ing.  that is not to spend even a single rupee the whole day. "Spent_ing " a nice word  coined by me. I smiled at myself at this strange word.
          I decided that I should not take a single rupee from my pocket whatever the reason be. I knew it was little difficult to keep this but I thought I would be strong enough to try not to spend a penny . As I was thinking on these lines my wife came to me and asked me the reason for my absentmindedness. I narrated the whole issue and showed her the balance with joy. She teased me and said that the balance wouldn't be there even for twenty four hours as we had lots of debts and loans to be paid the following day. But I told her strongly that I wouldn't spend a pie not only the following day but also for another day or two.Let all debts and loans wait for a couple of days to be cleared
         After I decided my resolution for today I  started my daily chores. As I was doing my daily practice of yoga my son fifteen years old came to me and said , "papa give me two hundred rupees. I have to buy a  gift for my friend as today is his birthday"        I said hurriedly you don't have to give such a costly gift. Instead you can take a plant from our balcony and gift it. It looks innovative and nature loving. "Papa. You don't know anything. My friend will think that I am mean. Please  papa give me money I have to go and buy a gift "  Bhaiya get me a good set of bangles and earings which match the dress I am going to wear for the party." said my daughter coming out from the bedroom. I was wondering how to overcome the situation. My wife smiled and came to my rescue. Your Papa is not going to spend money today. So take the money you need from your kiddy bank and later I will give you." "But all that is also my money. We should not spend that also. "I said little gloomy. "See if we want to fast we should alone fast . We should not force others with our ideas "my wife said. rather irritated." Let them spend their savings." she said and her words were final.
           After that my morning went very peacefully and by tea time the problem reappeared. As. I was having tea my servant maid came and asked for salary. "We usually give you money on 5 or 6 of the month . Why are asking for it today." I groaned. "Sir. Iam going to my home town to attend a marriage. I need money for my expenses."she said. "Never mind you come tomorrow. I will arrange for it. Today I can't help you". I said. "But sir   I am leaving tomorrow early morning. Please give me today." She said almost pleading.  I looked helpless at my wife who was watching us. Again she had a ready made answer for this problem.   "Leela come at six in the evening I will give you money. She said añd sent her. I looked questioningly at her. She understood my thoughts and said "  Our tenant told that he will give me the rent at five. so I told our maid to come at six."  I breathed happily on hearing this. Atleast I need not spend money from my pocket.
              At 8 inthe night I faced the same problem for the third time. My father rang up and said that he along with my mother and sister were waiting in the railway station . They couldn't find an auto and hence asked me to bring them home.  My wife said " book a cab and they willcome safely. But I refused, saying "   ' It is matter of  just one hour and the distance is barely fifteen kiometers. The cab will charge atleast five hundred rupees. I will go in my vehicle and bring them home. You get the dinner ready by the timewe return." So saying I started for the railway station. The __'after that story I hate to tell  but I have to reveal the sad part that traffic police stopped me at a signal and charged me with a fine of Two thousand for not wearing seat belt and over speed. Not only that there were previous challans that I had not paid for the past six months such crossing the red signal, goingin prohibited one way....  all amonting to a  total of almost five thousand. The police seized my keys and said that they would return only after clearing all the fines.!! Soo sad .That was the end of my "spenting"😥

Adjustment

    .                                ADJUSTMENT

   "   What is this? You know that I dont like milk bread. Yet you have made sandwich out of it as breakfast. ". grumbled  Rajan.
  "Sorry dear . There is no brown bread in our grocery shop. Please adjust for today". said Madhu gently. There was no option. Her voice though gentle was determined. This was one thing with Madhu. She did things in her own way not bothered about others. . She could have easily got brown bread from another grocery shop if she wanted. But instead she went for milk bread. It was her nature. She did what she determined....
.   Rajan half heartedly completed his breakfast and got ready for his office.   "Madhu   Madhu..... What is this ? The shirt you have kept  here doesnt have a button . Give me another Its getting late."
"  Dont worry dear I willget it switched in a second. "
" There isnt enough time. I have to rush. "said Rajan.
"See dear. I will stich it in no time.  No other shirt is ready to wear now. Three of them have gone for washing and two for ironing.
     Rajan knew that  he had many more but she had decided and it was final.His daughter eighteen years old was watching him with sparkling eyes .She was curious to know who would win in such fights though she was very definite about the answer. He did not argue anymore but left for his work.
            It was eight in the night. Rajan was sitting in the balcony looking at the sky. The moon seemed to be  full with  brightness and the night pleasant and peaceful. "Papa. Here is your pre dinner soup. "Siri. Rajan's. daughter came upstairs to give him the soup . "What ..your mother has given me loki soup. She knows that I hate it. Rajan said groaningly. "Papa  you cannot do anything. You are. helpless before mummy.  Why are you afraid of her? ."Siri smiled teasingly.  Rajan smiled at her and sat in the chair. He started drinking it. "Papa  you pour it in the plant if you dont like it . Mama is not going to be know. ". Rajan looked at her  and said No Siri. I wil have it. "But Papa why should you take it when  you dont like it. ""Because it is good for my heart. You know that I had  two stunts placed in my heart. This soup prevents further blocks. It is for my good that she forces such things on me. She is always worried about me. See Siri medicines are bitter. But a mother gives them to her child if he is unwell. It doesnot mean that she  hates them. You know Siri  ours is love marriage. Your grand parents were against me. She left all her relations ,wealth  and her luxurious life for me. I had nothing then. Not even a decent job. She adjusted herself to my atmosphere. When you were born nobody came to her help. I was busy earning money. She adjusted in raising you.  When I was financially  broken she helped me with her savings and jewels.  You should know that your mother is very patient. She takes care of every single matter of me. I love her so much that I donot mind her restrictions. I am ready to adjust. Ofcourse sometimes I go crazy and fight with her. But she nevers gives back. She does things that are good for me confidently without comprimising. Siri you should know that. adjustment is the best medicine for any problem in couple's life" Rajan  completed his soup and started downstairs.

Polly makes friends

    Polly the doll was feeling very lonely. Minne had put it on shelf and gone to school. There was no other doll on that shell and all there were books and magazines. Polly didnot like reading and felt sleepy at the sight of them. She hopped from the shelf and reached the window.She tried to squeeze through it but could not.So She peeped out of it and saw a sparrow playing in the branches of the nearby tree. 'How lucky the sparrow is' it thought only if Minne would come and take her out . She would also have a lovely time.  Suddenly a cat came from behind the sparrow and tried to catch it. Polly shouted to the sparrow and alerted it. The sparrow understood the danger and flew high. The cat went away disappointed.
     The sparrow flew inside through the window and thanked Polly for saving it. Polly requested the sparrow to give it company till Minne returned from school. The sparrow agreed and both of them had a great time. From that day they both became great friends

The heart of life ___Rivers

Oh look at the  helpless river dear
Was flowing pure long ago
But now dry dark and foul smelling I fear
All because of our fault and ego

Let's not pollute it with whatever no matter
Plastic,wastes , chemical s or garbage
Let's not waste even a drop of water
So precious and is needed at all ages

Let's try and make it shine
Like it flowed long ago
Then our life will be healthy and fine
Like our ancestors who lived long ago