There
was this classmate and friend of mine in a small village called Veppanapally in
Tamil Nadu. We were about 12 years old. He was so fond of a trick that used to
set the whole street laugh their guts out. In those days, in the villages it
was common sight to find donkeys lazing around, particularly near the garbage
bins (you know those round shaped cement drums that forever over flew!). When
ever he saw one fellow lying around, this great friend of mine used to sneak
upon the donkey from behind, pounce on to his back, hold on to the ears of the
hapless animal and kick him on the sides. The puzzled and frightened donkey
then will run about the street braying like mad, with our ‘rodeo’ riding on him
like a king! The whole street will come out and burst out laughing at the rodeo
show!! At the most convenient bend of the street, the rodeo will jump off,
hooting ‘ho, ho, ho!!’ and the donkey will run faster than ever dashing and
bumping into everything on its way.
So
one day when the show was over and my triumphant hero was coming back beaming
from ear to ear. Someone stopped him and asked him, ‘one hell of a fellow you
are. But why do you trouble the poor animal like this?’
My
friend stopped and thought for a while. Then as would befit a simple, naughty
12 year old, he said, ‘actually, I enjoy the ride. That’s why!’
Childhood
is the most memorable part of life. And so, once in a while, take a little time
out, laze around on a rocking chair and re-live your childhood. It actually
does wonders to your mental health. If you do not believe me, all you have to
do is just once give yourself about 15 minutes and see how your life
transforms!
Just
only one advice – do not try doing those 'naughty' things again. At our age people will think we
are ‘nuts’ - not ‘naughty’!!!
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