Lightning strikes the earth and the Naada Chhatu ( a variety of mushroom) sprouts from the ground, the junior housekeeper told us this evening, while giving an intoxicating massage on my head. He had just returned from his village. He has brought for us a modest quantity of the Naada Chhatu plucked early in the morning. The senior one was reluctant to cook it for us as he didnt like the lustre of the stems and was apprehensive of its quality. The younger one, however, insisted, had his way and we had it in dinner, to realise that it surely was the tastiest. The innocence of some youths sometimes is strong enough to transport me to the world of fairies and monsters. Years ago, early in a morning, I went out of the newly constructed imposing Inspection Bungalow of the PWD in Puri, on the beach, for a brisk walk on the sandy beach. I was inhaling tons of fresh air and watching the baby son coming out from the sea in the horizon, when the loud hawking of a young boy made me stop my walk and take note of him. Among many other items, he was having a huge conch and he wanted me to buy it. I was impressed with its size; but had no use of it. I did not want to disappoint the sweet boy either. I decided to engage him in a sweet conversation. Where did you get it from? I asked. From the sea, he said. I feigned surprise and asked him what else one can see inside the sea. Oh a lot; there are tigers, lions, palaces, monsters and many other things inside, he said with wide eyes and with a voice of authority. How much do I pay you for this conch? I asked. Give me fifty rupees, he said. All right, I said. come with me to that building. He followed and waited at the gate while I went in. I was soon back from my room and handed him the money. The conch is still with us and is put to use on many occasions. I love blowing it. I did it even on the occasion of the wedding of my daughter as she , as a small child, always liked me blowing my favourite conch. I still remember that boy, his innocence and his story of the sea. This evening a similar situation I found myself in when I listened to the strike of lightning that brings out the tasty mushroom out of the broken surface of the earth.
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 16:10:10 +0000
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