Cars v/s Hearts

Two friends Shivam and Sundaram, in their thirties, live nearby in Indore city.  They are family friends for last 15 years. Shivam got a White coloured Tata Indica car for last 5 years, while Sundaram has a red coloured Tata Nano.  Sundaram bought it recently.

One fine Sunday morning, three kids in the age range of 2 to 4 years were playing nearby car of Nano Car.  No one was supervising them that time. Shivam was passing by saw that all kids have small stones in their hands. On the other side, there were few minor but visible scratches on Sundaram’s Nano car. It was quite evitable to believe that the scratches have been done by the kids only, alone or together, that’s not known. Eventhough Shivam has not seen anyone doing the act. 

Shivam persuaded lightly to three kids and asked them to throw the stones. To convey the message not repeat such act in a gentle manner. He taken the three kids on a walk and conveyed the message with little emphasis.

Ten minutes later, Sundaram’s mother saw a kid with stone in the hand near red Nano. She claimed that these scratches have been done by this kid only and she saw it by her eyes only. Now, this kid happens to belongs to Shivam. Sundaram’s mother made a big hue and cry. Entire family of Sundaram was upset as their lovely nano got scratches. The same was the scene with Shivam’s family. Shivam conveyed that the act has been earlier by three kids together. But Sudaram’s mother was affirmed that it has been done by Shivam’s kid only.

Sundaram’s family started asking for compensation. See how the relationship can take a turn in few moments only. Shivam’s family refused and replied that it has been done by a minor or minors. But if still they want to take revenge than they are free to do it on Indica car. 

Later, Sundaram called Shivam for a small discussion about compensation. Shivam said that he has something in pipeline for this act. Hence, he would arrange for the repair but need to allow 20 days. Sundaram said he wants to be done today only. Sundaram said he would bear half the cost, looking at long term association. Shivam repeated that wait for 20 days, he will arrange to get it repaired nicely.

Shivam’s family is not aware about this talk. Sundaram’s family is aware as the talk had been held at Sundaram’s house.

Then there was silence for entire day.

Next day morning, Shivam’s Indica had 10 times bigger scratches on his car. These scratches are done with little force and would have been done by someone older than 7 years because of height of scratches.

In both the cases, there’s no direct proof that who has done the act. It’s only belief and perception.

Conclusion: It is presumed that the minors had made scratches on non-living items, but adults (again belief) have made scratches on hearts of living people.  How come Cars are more important than Hearts?

The complex side of Truth remains unexplored. 

(This is based on real incident, few facts/names have been changed)

Truly Innocent kids

I would narrate three real-life incidences pertaining to kids. It is really interesting to observe that how they see and correlate various things or statements. 

Incidence # 1: Hawaa (Wind)

One day I went on terrace with my son in the evening in summer in Ahmedabad. He must be of around 6 years of age. He asked me very gentle and genuine question after waiting for prolonged period of 2 minutes, like we also do. If not, then we should. “Why we came here?” he asked politely and innocently. I said “Thandi Hawa khane ke liye (We are here to enjoy the cool wind)”. What next? He opened his mouth to eat .......  This was the simple meaning. Did you know it? I did not. 

Incidence # 2: “Do not touch plant in the evening”

Again, in the evening of summer, in Ahmedabad (right), during same time (again you are right) I went with my son (hat trick by you in making guesses) at cross roads. I thought we will sit nearby few plants and would enjoy the gentle traffic, passing by people and vehicles. There was a small plant of tulsi (basil in English). He requested me to pluck few leaves of that plant. Because of our various conceived standard perception (scientific, religious, etiquette, social, etc.); I thought appropriate to say “no”. Then, he asked me very pertinent scientific question ‘why?”. One of the standard perceptions of one of those above-mentioned fields came to my rescue. I replied, “Because the plant is sleeping in the evening, so you should not even touch it”. Immediately, he said, “That is not possible. Because how come it sleep in this noise/traffic.” He had instantly correlated that my wife and I have been stopping him not to make noise when his younger sister is sleeping.  See the reaction time of a kid. Probably, faster than the reaction time of cricketers Jonty Rhodes or Mohammed Azharuddin. I was caught and bold by him. 

Incidence # 3: Yoga by kids

As I mentioned in the beginning, they are real incidences. Hence, there are more probabilities that kids around me would be the characters of these events.  Once upon a time in Vadodara; my son, my daughter and my niece were taking all the lovely possible advantage of their get-together. They were making other sophisticated civilized persons’ routine or life horrible by dhamal, masti and shor-bakor (loud voice clubbed with volume (I would not dare to say it ‘noise’, emotionally)). I took a corporate initiative to engage them. I said ‘come on, I will teach you yoga.’ Only one member should agree on this proposal to materialize. I was lucky enough. Then, I initiated. I asked them to sit in the standard sitting posture. I instructed them to close the eyes and pronounce ‘ommmm.....’ by holding breath for little longer period. I also dared to instruct them to concentrate. It lasted for 7-10 minutes with little disturbances, as anticipated. Finally, to my surprise, my niece felt sleeping and she slept there only. I could not imagine it. You also cannot imagine how much I was laughing. What would you say? Am I a good corporate initiator, a fantastic yoga teacher or magnificent child care-taker or a good spin bowler (as I have taken a wicket)?  

I would wait for your answer and comments.  Don’t stop yourself. Be innocent like kids.

Suresh Purohit (Su_hit)

su_hit@rajshree.co.in

February 9, 2011; 8 PM IST.