The Regal Look - Wasted

Peeping out to see how many saw his humiliation

Five white tigers in an enclosure. Standing at a safe distance, we were still awed by the majesty and the beauty of the regal animals. One walked down the slope to the ditch dug around the enclosure, next to the ditch, separating the humans from the carnovores.

We stood admiring each when we heard the gates of the cage being opened and shut from the rear of the enclosure. Food time, we realised.

A man came out to the outer wall on the rear and called out harshly, "Po (go)!" All the tigers looked. One of them instantly sat up. Another glared at him regally. He threw a stick at it to get it moving. He shouted again and again to get them to pick up their food. Slowly one went in, another followed. The stubborn ones were egged by the man to get moving.

Even the most stubborn one finally got up, went in, had its fill and came out. It was a sad sight.

But, I couldn't help wondering - is this what is happening in Tihar jail right now? The one with the power is the one outside, making those inside dance to his (her) tunes?

The Kind Lord; Hobson's Choice; Animal Farm

One Earth: The In-Built System

One Earth: The In-Built System: "A trip to the zoo yesterday was very fulfilling. For one, we seemed to have gone at the right time - when all the animals were out in their ..."

Change of Plans, sigh!

It's very tiresome, this need to constantly adjust one's thoughts and plans. I finally decided that I should give in to temptation, not resist the strong urge and become size zero. I worked out the plan, the exercise regime, the diet - albeit reluctantly, and, Bingo, I am told all this is not needed anymore!

Times Life tells me that I don't really have to. Unable to keep me out of the ramp any longer for want of the requisite size, they have now changed the criterion and want "real women" - basically, plus sizes, on stage.

What took them so long to realise this? Couldn't they have done this earlier?

What do I do with the plans, now? Maybe too late by the time the size zero comes back in fashion!

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Vandalur Uyiriyal Poonga - Oru Anubavam

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Vandalur Uyiriyal Poonga - Oru Anubavam: "பல அனுபவங்கள் என்றே சொல்லலாம். இன்று, பல வருடங்களுக்கு பிறகு என் குழந்தைகளுடனும் கணவனுடனும் வண்டலூர் உயிரியல் பூங்காவுக்கு சென்றேன். சில உண்..."

A Trip to The Zoo

The "hot" favourite cooling itself off

A plan abandoned demanded that a better plan replace it.

We had thought of attending a car rally, and skipped breakfast, decided to have brunch so that food was out of the way. But then we decided that it seemed pointless going all the way to see probably only the start of the rally.

But by then the children were getting ready, and it seemed cruel to not take them everywhere. Our guilt was more than their disappointment, but well, it was an excuse for us to go out together after a long while.

I have always wondered why we end up going to closed up spaces like malls for diversion. And yet, all I could think of was the Fun City in Express Avenue. But my hubby had a better plan - the Zoo. A trip that would be of interest to all of us.

Amazing that my 7 and 5 year old children managed to walk all the way. They were tired, they cribbed, they cried, they tripped - can I blame them. The entire thing took up five hours in peak afternoon, with very few stalls in between for refreshments. And yet, they completed the circuit.

In fact, my son amazed me when, towards the end, he suddenly had a burst of energy as we approached the section with crocodiles. Is that his favourite animal? I wonder. He ran ahead, announced the names after checking with us, and was generally in high spirits. He wanted very eagerly to see a rhino, which seemed missing in the zoo here. But a hippo, and a pygmy hippo that responded to his call by looking up while ignoring the others, more than made his day.

My daughter followed and the two were as if they had just entered the zoo.

Ending the day with ice creams sort of made up for all the hard work. Especially when, on returning, their father let them both play on the computer for half an hour, and then TV, she said "This is my best day!"

I agree, it was the best day in a long time.

Also read: Keeping a Promise, Leisurely Journey

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Maatti Muzhikkum Pethai

Meeravin Mudal Prayatnam: Maatti Muzhikkum Pethai: "வேலை என்ற பெரிய பொறுப்பு சில நேரங்களில் மிருதுவாய் பூப்போல் மேலே உதிரும் நாம் செய்தோம் என்ற திருப்தி தரும் சில சமயங்களில் பாறையைப் போல மேலே..."

Seen to be Doing

As against doing. Every field today is plagued by this. Is it because of the numbers out there, giving us competition? The need to be ranked somewhere? Not just because it brings contentment to us, because we are good at it, but because others can see how good we are at it?

So we do all that it takes to be seen - the doing can wait, and sometimes be skipped completely. It is in recognition, in how many people see us that our focus is. Not on what impact our action has, how does it benefit us and others, and our chosen field...

If we are not seen, does it mean any less?

We struggle yes, but to shoot to fame, and not to get the job done well.

Read also: In High Places ; A Framework for Children; The Sound of Music