DUNNO 23

 ഡോ. പിൽമനും ഗ്രംപ്‌സും തടവു ചാടുന്നു 

ജോലിയിപ്പോൾ വേഗതയാർന്നു. വിവിധ നിലവറകളിലേക്കുള്ള പഴങ്ങളുമായ്  കാറുകൾ  അവിടെയുമിവിടെയുമായ്  പാറി നടന്നു. ആപ്പിളും പേരക്കയും ഒരു നേരം ഒന്നു വീതവും, മുന്തിരികൾ ഒരു നേരം അഞ്ചെന്ന തോതിലുമാണ് അവർ ഏറ്റിക്കൊണ്ടു പോയത്. യന്ത്രവൽക്കരണം പല മൈറ്റുകൾക്കും                   പണിയില്ലതാക്കി. എങ്കിലും, കയ്യും കെട്ടി കുത്തിയിരിക്കാതെ അവർ തെരുവിൽ രണ്ടു പെട്ടിക്കടകൾ തുറന്നു. അവയിലൊന്നിൽ സോഡയും സിറപ്പും കിട്ടും; മറ്റേ കടയിലാകട്ടെ അപ്പവും, അടയും, ബിസ്ക്കറ്റും, മിഠായിയും. ഒരു മിനിറ്റൊഴിവു കിട്ടുമ്പോൾ പഴം പെറുക്കുന്നവർക്ക് ലഘുഭക്ഷണത്തിനുള്ള സൗകര്യമായി. 

റോളിപോളി അപ്പക്കടയെ പൊറുതി മുട്ടിച്ചു; ട്രീക്ലിസ്വീറ്റർ                                സോഡാക്കടയെയും. അവരെ പിടിച്ചു മാറ്റുക വല്ലാത്ത പാടു തന്നെയായിരുന്നു. 

പൊടുന്നനെ, അപ്രതീക്ഷിതമായ ഒരു കാര്യമുണ്ടായി.

ദൂരത്തു നിന്നൊരു ബഹളം കേട്ട് മൈറ്റുകളെല്ലാം തലതിരിച്ചു നോക്കി. ഡോ. പിൽമൻ ഓടിപ്പോകുന്നതാണ് അവർ കണ്ടത്. അയാൾക്കു പിന്നാലെ തേന്മൊഴിയും ആസ്പത്രി ജീവനക്കാരും ഓടുന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഡോ. പിൽമൻ നഗ്നനായിരുന്നുവെന്നു തന്നെ പറയാം; ദേഹത്ത് അടിവസ്ത്രവും, കണ്ണടയും മാത്രമേ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളൂ. ഒരു മരം അടുത്തു കണ്ടപ്പോൾ അയാൾ അതിൽ വലിഞ്ഞു കയറി. 

"ചാടിപ്പോയി എന്തുചെയ്യാനാടോ, രോഗീ?" തേന്മൊഴി അയാളോട് ബഹളം വെച്ചു.          

"ഇനി ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ രോഗിയല്ല," ആകാവുന്നത്ര  ഉയരത്തിലേക്ക് കയറാൻ ശ്രമിക്കേ, ഡോ. പിൽമൻ താഴേക്ക് വിളിച്ചു കൂവി. 

"ആണ്.നിങ്ങൾക്കിപ്പോഴും ആശുപത്രിയിൽ നിന്ന് വിടുതൽ കിട്ടിയിട്ടില്ല," തേന്മൊഴി പറഞ്ഞു.

"എനിക്ക് വിടുതൽ കിട്ടിയല്ലോ," ഡോ. പിൽമൻ പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിച്ചു. "ഞാനെനിക്ക് സ്വയം വിടുതൽ നൽകി," അതും പറഞ്ഞ് അയാൾ അവർക്കു നേരെ നാക്കു നീട്ടി.

"വൃത്തികെട്ടവൻ!" തേന്മൊഴി ഉച്ചത്തിൽ പറഞ്ഞു. "നിങ്ങൾക്ക് നിങ്ങളുടെ തുണി തിരിച്ചു തരുമെന്ന് വിചാരിക്കണ്ട."

"തിരിച്ചു തരാൻ ഞാൻ ആവശ്യപ്പെട്ടില്ലല്ലോ," ഡോ. പിൽമൻ പറഞ്ഞു.

"ജലദോഷം പിടിക്കുമെടോ."

"പിടിച്ചാലും ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ ആശുപത്രിയിലേക്കില്ല."

"നാണം കെട്ടവൻ!" തേന്മൊഴി ഒച്ചവെച്ചു. "ചികിൽസയെ ബഹുമാനിക്കാനറിയാത്ത ഒരു ഡോക്റ്റർ!"

ഉപ്പൂറ്റിയിലൊന്നു തിരിഞ്ഞ് അവൾ തലയുയർത്തിപ്പിടിച്ച് നടന്നു നീങ്ങി. ആസ്പത്രിജീവനക്കാരെല്ലാം അവളെ പിന്തുടർന്നു. 

അപകടം അകന്നയുടൻ ഡോ. പിൽമൻ താഴേക്കിറങ്ങി. 

ഇറങ്ങേണ്ട താമസം, പെൺമൈറ്റുകൾ അയാളെപ്പൊതിഞ്ഞ് തങ്ങളുടെ കരുതൽ വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി.

"തണുക്കുന്നില്ലേ?"അവർ ചോദിച്ചു. "ജലദോഷം പിടിക്കും. ഞങ്ങൾ കുറച്ച് ഉടുപ്പുകൾ കൊണ്ടുവന്നു തരട്ടെ?"

"തന്നോളൂ," ഡോ.പിൽമൻ പറഞ്ഞു.

ഫ്ലഫ്‌ വീട്ടിലേക്കോടി, വെള്ളയിൽ പച്ച വരകളുള്ള ഒരുടുപ്പുമായ് തിരിച്ചെത്തി. 

"എന്തായിത്?" കണ്ണു തുറിപ്പിച്ചു ഡോ. പിൽമൻ ചോദിച്ചു. "ഞാനീ ഉടുപ്പിടുമെന്ന് കരുതുന്നുണ്ടോ? എല്ലാവരും ഞാനൊരു പെൺകുട്ടിയാണെന്ന് വിചാരിക്കും."

"അതിനിപ്പോ എന്താ? പെണ്ണാകുന്നത് അത്ര മോശാ?"

"ഉവ്വല്ലോ."

"അതെന്താ അങ്ങനെ? അപ്പൊ, പെൺകുട്ടികൾ മോശമാണെന്നാണ് നിങ്ങളുടെ തോന്നൽ, അല്ലേ?"

"ഏ ,അതല്ല! നിങ്ങളൊക്കെ നല്ലവർ തന്നെ. പക്ഷേ ... ങും... ആൺകുട്ടികൾ മെച്ചപ്പെട്ടവരാണ്." ഡോ. പിൽമൻ വിക്കിപ്പറഞ്ഞു.

"എന്താണവർക്കിത്ര മെച്ചം. മനസ്സുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ ഒന്നു പറഞ്ഞു താ."

"മെച്ചം എന്നു പറഞ്ഞാൽ, ഇതാ, ഇപ്പൊ, ട്രിൽസിൻ്റെ  കാര്യമെടുക്കൂ. അവനൊരുഗ്രൻ സംഗീതകാരനാണ്. അവൻ ഓടക്കുഴൽ വായിക്കുന്നതൊന്ന് കേൾക്കണം."

"ഞങ്ങൾ കേട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഞങ്ങളിലൊരു പാടു പെൺകുട്ടികൾ വയലിൻ വായിക്കും."

"പിന്നെ, ആ ബ്ലോബ്സ്. അവൻ ഛായാപടങ്ങൾ വരക്കുന്നത് നിങ്ങളൊന്ന് കണ്ടു നോക്കൂ!"  

"കണ്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്. ബ്ലോബ്സ് മാത്രമാണ് നിങ്ങളുടെ കൂട്ടത്തിലെ ഏക കലാകാരൻ. ഞങ്ങളിലെല്ലാവർക്കും വരക്കാനും, വർണ്ണനൂലുകൊണ്ട് ചിത്രത്തുന്നൽ ചെയ്യാനും കഴിയും. എൻ്റെ മുന്നുടുപ്പിൽ കാണുന്ന ചുവന്ന              അണ്ണാനെപ്പോലൊന്ന് നിങ്ങൾക്ക് തുന്നിത്തരാമോ?"

"പറ്റില്ലെന്നേ പറയാൻ പറ്റൂ," ഡോ. പിൽമൻ കീഴടങ്ങി. 

"കണ്ടില്ലേ? ഞങ്ങളിലാർക്കും അണ്ണാനെയെന്നല്ല, മുയലിനെയും പൂമ്പാറ്റയെയും, എന്നുവേണ്ട, എന്തിനെയും തുന്നാനാകും."

"ശരി, നിങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞതു പോലെ ചെയ്തേക്കാം," കീഴടങ്ങിക്കൊണ്ട് ഡോ. പിൽമൻ  ഉടുപ്പ് കാലിനുമുകളിലൂടെ വലിച്ചുകേറ്റി.

ഉടുപ്പിട്ട ശേഷം എങ്ങനെയുണ്ടെന്ന് അറിയാൻ പിൽമൻ മുന്നിലേക്കും പിന്നിലേക്കും തിരിഞ്ഞും മറിഞ്ഞും നോക്കി. ഡന്നോ അട്ടഹാസം പോലെ പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിച്ചു. മറ്റുള്ള ആൺകുട്ടികളും പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിയിൽ പങ്കു ചേർന്നു.

"നാണമില്ലേ നിങ്ങൾക്ക്!" കിറ്റി ദേഷ്യപ്പെട്ട് പറഞ്ഞു. "ഇത്ര ചിരിക്കാൻ മാത്രം ഒന്നുമില്ലല്ലോ."

പക്ഷേ, അവർ ചിരി നിർത്തിയില്ല. അതു കണ്ട് പിൽമൻ ഉടുപ്പൂരിക്കളഞ്ഞു.

"അയ്യോ, ഊരാൻ പാടില്ല," പെൺകുട്ടികൾ ഉച്ചത്തിൽ പറഞ്ഞു.

"പാടുണ്ട്," പിൽമൻ തറപ്പിച്ചു പറഞ്ഞു. "വൈകാതെ എനിക്കെൻ്റെ സ്വന്തം ഉടുപ്പു കിട്ടും."

"തേന്മൊഴി നിങ്ങൾക്കവ തിരിച്ചുതരില്ല. അവർ കർക്കശക്കാരിയാണ്, അറിയാലോ."

പിൽമൻ നിഗൂഢമായ് ഒന്നു മന്ദഹസിക്കുക മാത്രം ചെയ്തു.

തേന്മൊഴിയും സഹായികളും ആശുപത്രിയിൽ തിരിച്ചെത്തിയപ്പോൾ ഗ്രംപ്‌സും സ്ഥലം വിട്ടതായിക്കണ്ടു; ധൃതിയിൽ അലമാര പരിശോധിച്ചപ്പോൾ രണ്ടു സെറ്റ് ഉടുപ്പുകളും കാണാതായിരിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് കണ്ടു. അവിടെ ഷോട്ടിൻ്റെ ഉടുപ്പുകൾ മാത്രമേ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളൂ.

പിൽമനിൻ്റെയും, ഗ്രംപ്സിൻ്റെയും ചാടിപ്പോകൽ ശ്രദ്ധാപൂർവ്വം ആസൂത്രിതമായിരുന്നുവെന്ന് അപ്പോഴാണ് വ്യക്തമായത്. ആസൂത്രണമനുസരിച്ച്, പിൽമൻ  തുണിയില്ലാതെ ജനലിലൂടെ ചാടണം. തേന്മൊഴിയും ആസ്പത്രിയിലെ സർവ്വ ജീവനക്കാരും പിൽമനു പിറകെ വച്ചുപിടിക്കുമെന്ന് ഗൂഢാലോചനക്കാർ ഊഹിച്ചിരുന്നു.  ആ അവസരം മുതലെടുത്ത് ഗ്രംപ്സിന് അലമാരയിൽനിന്ന് തൻ്റേയും പിൽമനിൻ്റേയും വസ്ത്രങ്ങളെടുത്ത്, ആരും തടുക്കുമെന്ന് പേടിക്കാതെ മുൻവശത്തുകൂടെ പുറത്തിറങ്ങാം. വള്ളിപുള്ളി തെറ്റാതെ ഈ ആസൂത്രണം നിർവ്വഹിക്കപ്പെട്ടു. 

പുറത്തെത്തിയപ്പോൾ, ഗ്രംപ്സ് ചില മുൾച്ചെടിയിലകൾക്കിടയിൽ  ഒളിച്ചിരുന്നു. തേന്മൊഴി അവനുവേണ്ടിയും ഉടുപ്പുകൾക്കു വേണ്ടിയും കുറേനേരം അന്വേഷിച്ചലഞ്ഞു. പക്ഷേ, അതു നിഷ്ഫലമായി.

മുൾച്ചെടിയിലകൾക്കിടയിൽ ഒളിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത് അത്ര സുഖകരമായ കാര്യമായിരുന്നില്ലെങ്കിലും, സ്വതന്ത്രനായതിൽ ഗ്രംപ്സ് സന്തോഷംകൊണ്ട് മതിമറന്നു. സ്വച്ഛമായ നീലാകാശവും, പുതുപുത്തൻ പച്ചപ്പുല്ലും കണ്ട് അവനു മതിയായില്ല. അവൻ്റെ ചുണ്ടിൽ ഒരു പൂപ്പുഞ്ചിരി പരന്നു.  ആ ആശുപത്രിയിലേക്ക് തനിക്കിനിയും  പോകേണ്ടി വരില്ലെങ്കിൽ, താനിനിയൊരിക്കലും മുറുമുറുക്കില്ലെന്ന് അവൻ ആണയിട്ടു. 

തേന്മൊഴി ഒടുവിൽ അന്വേഷണം കയ്യൊഴിയുന്നത് അവൻ കണ്ടു. അവർക്കു പിറകിൽ ആശുപത്രി വാതിലുകൾ അടഞ്ഞയുടൻ, അവൻ തൻ്റെ മാളത്തിൽനിന്ന് പുറത്തേക്കിഴഞ്ഞിറങ്ങി, പിൽമനെ കണ്ടുപിടിക്കാൻ പുറപ്പെട്ടു.

അദ്ദേഹത്തെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ അവൻ അദ്ദേഹത്തിൻ്റെ വസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ ഏൽപ്പിച്ചു. 

"ഇതാ, തുണികൾ, സഹനത്തിലെ സഹയാത്രികാ!" വസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ കൈമാറുമ്പോൾ അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു.

സ്നേഹിതനെ കഴുത്തിലൂടെ കൈ ചുറ്റി, പിൽമൻ ആലിംഗനം ചെയ്തു. ആശുപത്രിയിൽ വച്ച് അവർക്കു പരസ്പരം വല്ലാതെ ഇഷ്ടമായിക്കഴിഞ്ഞിരുന്നു. ഡോ. പിൽമൻ എടുപിടീന്ന് ഉടുപ്പണിഞ്ഞു. 

സ്കാറ്റർബ്രെയിനും, പ്രാപ്‌സും, ബെൻഡമും മറ്റു ആൺപിള്ളേരും ഗ്രംപ്സിനെ രക്ഷപ്പെട്ടതിൻ്റെ പേരിൽ അഭിനന്ദിച്ചു. അവനേറെ ഉല്ലാസവാനായിരിക്കുന്നതു കണ്ട് അവർ അത്ഭുതപ്പെട്ടു.

"ഇതാദ്യമായിട്ടാണ് ഗ്രംപ്സ് ഒന്നു ചിരിച്ചുകാണുന്നത്," റോളിപോളി പറഞ്ഞു.

പെൺകുട്ടികളും അവനെ വളയുകയുണ്ടായി.

"എന്താ നിൻ്റെ പേര്?" ഫ്ലഫ് ചോദിച്ചു.

"ഗ്രംപ്സ് "

"ഹേ, അതാവാൻ വഴിയില്ല. നീ ഞങ്ങളെ കളിപ്പിക്കുയല്ലേ!."  

"അല്ലല്ലോ. അങ്ങനെ തോന്നാൻ എന്താ കാര്യം."

"നിന്നെ കണ്ടാ മനുഷ്യപ്പറ്റുള്ളവനും മര്യാദക്കാരനുമെന്ന് തോന്നുന്നല്ലോ. ഇതു നിനക്കു പറ്റിയ പേരേയല്ല ."

ഗ്രംപ്സിൻ്റെ വായ ചെവിമുതൽ ചെവിവരെ നീണ്ടു.

"ആ പറ്റാത്ത പേരുള്ളവൻ ഞാൻ തന്നെയാണ്," അവൻ പറഞ്ഞു.

"മരത്തിൽക്കയറാൻ താൽപ്പര്യമുണ്ടോ?" 

"കയറുന്നത് സമ്മതമാണോ?"

"സമ്മതമല്ലാതെ, പിന്നെ ? ഞങ്ങളൊരു അറക്കവാൾ കൊണ്ടുത്തരാം. അപ്പൊ, നിനക്ക് ഞങ്ങളെ ജോലിയിൽ സഹായിക്കാൻ പറ്റും."

"ഒന്നെനിക്കും താ," ഡോ. പിൽമൻ പറഞ്ഞു.

"പെൺകുട്ടികളെക്കുറിച്ച് നിങ്ങൾക്ക് ചീത്ത അഭിപ്രായമല്ലേ; അതുകൊണ്ട് നിങ്ങൾക്കതിന് അർഹതയില്ല," കിറ്റി പറഞ്ഞു. "പക്ഷേ, ഞങ്ങൾ നിങ്ങളോടു പൊറുത്തേക്കാം. "

രണ്ട് അറക്കവാളുകൾ കൂടി വന്നുചേർന്നു. മറ്റുള്ളവർക്കൊപ്പം ഗ്രംപ്സും ഡോക്റ്ററും പണി തുടങ്ങി. 

ആശുപത്രിയിൽ അടച്ചുപൂട്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നതിനേക്കാൾ രസകരമാണ് മരം കയറാനെന്ന് ഗ്രംപ്സ് പറഞ്ഞു.

"കൂടുതൽ ആരോഗ്യകരവുമാണ്," ഡോ. പിൽമൻ കൂട്ടിച്ചർത്തു.

ഉയരം കൂടുന്തോറും വായു കൂടുതൽ ശുദ്ധമായിരിക്കുമെന്നാണ് അദ്ദേഹം കരുതിയത്. അതിനാൽ, ഗ്രംപ്സ് മരത്തിൻ്റെ ഉച്ചി വരെ കയറി.

*

ONCE UPON A TIME IN A SMALL VILLAGE

 

                                                           EPISODE1                                                                                                                                                                                                      Scene: 1

                                    A countryside in late spring,                                                                                                                                    Late morning with bright sun and a balmy breeze

After caressing the trees, plants and bushes along with some assorted birds, insects and some stray animals, the camera chances upon a narrow path flanked by overgrown grass and captures a young girl from behind. Swinging her arms and with a spring in her steps, she is walking leisurely and indifferently. A bright tune followed by a song follows the girl on her walk on that sinuous path.                                                                                                                       The song:                                                                                                                                                                                        There is a season for everything.                                                                                                                                               A season for sowing,                                                                                                                                                              A season for growing,                                                                                                                                                        And a season for reaping.                                                               There is a season for everything. [Repeat]

Almost as the song comes to an end the girl stops and looks up. The tune fades. As the girl resumes her walk, the tune picks up and the song continues:

There is a time for everything                                                       A time for learning                                                       And a time for playing.                                                          There is a time for everything. [Repeat]

As the song and the tune fade into silence, the girl sees a young boy lying stretched out in the middle of the path. On hesitantly approaching the young lad, she notices that he has a grotesque mask on his face. As she peers into his face to have a closer look, the boy leaps into the air with a ghastly cry. The young girl screams in horror and runs back. Laughing heartily, the boy calls out after her: ‘Stop! St..o..p, Deepa, it’s me!  Me, Vivek!’

As Deepa stops suspiciously, Vivek removes the mask and grins at her. Deepa is now all anger.

Deepa: You! You are a useless idiot! Always up to some trick.

Vivek: (laughing) Wasn’t it fun? You should have seen your face! You are so wimpy, Deepa.

Deepa: I’m nothing of that sort. I am no wimpy kid.

Vivek: Why did you then scream like you saw a ghost?

Deepa: Anyone would have. You were such a horrible sight! Your idea of fun isn’t my idea of fun.

Meanwhile Vivek has been walking towards Deepa. He finds a slab of stone on the wayside and seats himself on it.

Vivek: Alright, my Ma! I just wanted to see how you would react.                                                             He offers his mask to the girl.                                                                                                              Vivek: Now, you can put it on and scare someone else.

Deepa: I don’t want anyone to die from shock.                                                                                                   Nevertheless, she takes the mask and playfully puts it on her face.

Vivek: You look very lovely in the mask!

Deepa (unmasking herself): Enough of your teasing, you crazy boy! It is not for nothing the teachers call you a pain in the neck. (She does not give him back the mask. She keeps it with her)

Vivek: A pain in the neck, I may be for others. But, for me, it is clean fun.

By this time Deepa has joined him in sitting. For a while, both look all around and take in the scenery. Chirping of birds, distant barking of dogs and mooing of cows can be heard intermittently.

Vivek (pulling up some grass and biting it and spitting): This vacation is so boring. How long can you watch the dumb TV!

Deepa: Find some hobby.

Vivek: I mean to. In fact, I was just going to ask you.

Deepa: Ask what?

Vivek: Would you like to go trekking?

Deepa: With you? Not in my lifetime!

Vivek: It will be pure fun. See, there are these woods nearby.

Deepa: I do enjoy going into the woods. It’s almost the summer now and, I think, it’s the best time to explore the woods

Vivek: That is what I say.

Deepa (deep in thought): It would be real fun if we could get our other friends too.

Vivek: I don’t mind, you know.                                                                                                                     (Then, with a sullen face, he continues): But, if I invite them, I don’t think, they will come. They too think I am a pain in their neck

Deepa: That you leave to me. But, are you okay with all of us coming with you?

Vivek: I told you I don’t mind. (Then, laughing, he continues): The more, the merrier. That is my motto.

Deepa: I will then inform Mini and Manu. In fact, on my way, I have just seen Manu sitting in a tree, reading something.

Vivek: Manu? You mean that nerd? What will he do in the woods? He is always at his laptop or with his nose in a book.

Deepa: You don’t know a thing about the guy. He is an A-class poet. And, you know, poets love woods and clouds.

Vivek: Okay. But inform your friends fast. We have to plan the whole trip in a day. Ask them to gather themselves in the maidaan in the evening.

Deepa: Fine! See you! I’ll first catch hold of Manu

Deepa gets up to leave. Vivek also gets up.

Vivek: See you soon!

Deepa and Vivek  part ways. The camera follows Deepa. As she retraces her step, the earlier gay tune is again heard.

                      Scene 2

A countryside                                                                                                                                                           Late morning

The scene shifts gradually to a cluster of trees, where a bespectacled young boy is sitting under a tree, engrossed in a book. The book seems to be too big for him. A wind rustles through the trees. Apart from the noises of nature, only silence reigns. Presently, Deepa is seen creeping up behind the boy with her mask on. She hisses like a snake. Half-scared and half-intrigued, the boy turns his head towards her. Seeing the masked girl, he opens his eyes wide, his goggles fall on to his nose. Within seconds, he lies flat on the ground, motionless. Deepa, now scared, shakes him vigorously and shouts in frightened tones.

Deepa: Manu! You, chicken! Get up, I say! Don’t try to scare me with your antics. Manu! Manu!

Manu doesn’t stir. Deepa is now really scared. Getting his head on to her lap, she screams.

Deepa: Help! Is somebody around? Help! Please, help

A fat young boy munching some fries, and a tall young girl with a cricket bat come running. Deepa has her mask still on. The tallish girl stares at her and shouts.

The girl: Deepa, is it you? Take the mask off, you moron.

Deepa realizing her mistake removes the mask and sheepishly speaks.

Deepa: I just wanted to have some fun, Jaya. And, now, it seems he is unconscious

The fat boy (continuing his munching): He looks deader than unconscious.

Deepa: Don’t rub salt into the wound, Vijay.

Vijay: But, then, he always seemed to me more dead than alive

Meanwhile Jaya was poking Manu with the bat.

Jaya: Don’t pull our legs, man! Get up! Else, I’ll give you a whack.

Still there is no response from Manu. The children look at one another in dismay. Deepa is on the verge of tears. Jaya turns to Vijay and shouts at him testingly.

Jaya: Don’t just stand there eating like a pig. Go and call someone who can help.

As Vijya runs off, we hear the footsteps of children rushing towards the scene. A young boy and a young girl along with Vivek appear on the scene, asking what actually happened. A lot of commotion ensues. They look at Manu lying on Deepa’s lap. As their gaze falls on Deepa, Deepa bursts into sobbing. The scene closes on Manu lying seemingly lifeless on Deepa’s lap.

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 2

The same scene continues.                                                                                                                                       The cluster of trees, where the children are assembled.                                                                                        The time has advanced.

Before the scene opens a song is heard as voice-over:                                 “Many a thing we learn from books                                                                 so soon sweeps the broom of time.                                                 Many a thing we learn from the streets                                                   stays in there for a long, long time”

As the song comes to a close we see these young boys and girls in different stances; some sitting and some standing or leaning against the trees. Jaya is leafing through the book which has fallen from the hands of Manu. The title is ‘The Arabian Nights’, which we see clearly as she holds the book. Deepa has got up, leaving Manu on the ground and Vivek is scanning the sky. The newly arrived boy and girl look at each other not knowing what to say. The boy, eventually, turns to others and speaks:

The boy: Hi, guys!                                                                                                                                                        The others turn to face him.                                                               The boy timidly continues: Hello, everyone! I ..er.. I .. hmm … In fact, Nirma and I were passing along and heard a lot of noise.. er..so

Jaya: Hi and Hello! And who may you be?

Nirma: This is Nirmal. And I’m Nirma. We came to your place last week for vacation.

All the others: Nice to meet you.

One by one the children, smilingly, shake hands with Nirma and Nirmal and for a while, they forget poor Manu.                                                                                                                                “I’m Jaya.”                                                                                                                                                               “My name is Deepa.”                                                                                 “I am Mini.”                                                                   “You can call me Vivek.”

Mean while Mini notices that something slimy is crawling towards Manu. She lets out a cry. Mini (with eyes wide-open in horror): “OOO…. See, something is creeping towards Manu.” Everyone looks in that direction and backs off to a safe distance. They all holler in one voice: “It’s a SNAKE!”

As the word ‘snake’ is uttered, Manu jumps on to the tree in a flash, yelling “ammaaaa” and tightly clings on to a branch. Everyone looks at him in surprise and, then, laughs out aloud

Vivek: So you were taking us for a ride, weren’t you? Just you get down from the tree, and I will show you. Just you wait!

Manu: No, Vivek! I was really out cold. The snake gave me a jolt. I’m sorry I gave you all a bad time.

Deepa (really in a rage): Sorry ke bacche! I will make you feel really sorry. Acing dead, Eh? Who do you think you are? Dulqar or Prthivi Raj?

Vivek: He is more like Suraaj. But don’t you worry. It is only a rat-snake

Nirmal: The one you call the farmers’ friend.

Vivek: Yes. It eats only rats and frogs. It won’t harm this idiot.

Nirmal (to Nirma): See that is Manu. Haven’t I told you that there is a poet in this village? That’s him.                                                                           Mini: Poet, my foot! He is more a pest than a poet.

Meanwhile ants have been invading Manu from all sides and he has started scratching wildly all over his body.                                                                                  Manu: Ayyo, Ammaa! These ants are going to be my death!                                                                                         All others laugh.                                                                       Deepa: What is it there over your head, that dark thing?    

Manu looks up, scratching vigorously and sees a beehive buzzing with bees.                          Manu: Ammo … A hive! A bee hive!                                                                                                               Deepa: A very nice punishment for fooling us.  

Others burst into a song:                                                           “A snake on the ground                                                                 And ants in the tree;                                                              Over your head the stinging bee                                                            And if it stings how will you be?”

Vivek (to Deepa): And you wanted this fool to be with us for our adventure?

Others: Adventure? What do you mean?

Deepa: Oh, Vivek has been planning to go trekking to the forest.

Manu (shouting): Somebody help me, please! These ants are biting me and the bees are flying down. Please, do something. At least, help me come down. The snake is gone, I suppose.

Deepa: You be there for a while, you smarty!

Vivek: Jump down you, man! We will catch you.

Manu: No way! I don’t trust you.

Vivek and Jaya: Then be there where you are.

As Manu helplessly looks around, Vivek speaks to Deepa.

Vivek: And you wanted this bro to be in our trekking group?

Jaya: Let him be. It will be fun.

Vivek: If you say so. But I have my doubts

Deepa: We will be a group, won’t we? So, let him join if he would like

Mini: I would rather be at home than with him

Jaya: Don’ be so nasty. He is just a loud mouth.

By now, Manu has jumped from the tree without any complications.

Manu: You are no friends

Vivek: Stop whining. We are planning to go to the nearby forest. Would you like to join?

Manu: If Deepa is there, okay.

All others: Arre, He seems to have a crush on Deepa, Deepa!

Deepa (in mock anger): You hopeless creatures!

Jaya: Where is this Vijay? He had gone out to get some help.

Vivek: Maybe, he is helping himself; Please, let’s find him out

All of them march out in search of Vijay, when a wind suddenly erupts and it starts drizzling.

 

EPISODE 3

A half-dilapidated shed                                                                                                                                          Very late in the morning

As the wind gains momentum and the rain grows strong, the boys and the girls start running towards a nearby shed and take refuge there. The shed has sundry things in it: a broken bench, a two-legged stool, a wobbling table and such bric-a-brac. As the children hustle into the shed, the camera captures the rain and the wind outside. A song as voice-over is heard, as the swaying tree-tops get drenched:

“Like a bolt from the blue                                                         the naughty wind blew.                                                                 The birds in the sky                                                                  to their perches soon flew.                                                          Little drops of summer rain                                                                                                                               and glistening rays of sunshine                                                       announce the hour of wedding                                                                       for the foxes in the woods.”

With the music of rain and wind we enter the shed to see the boys and girls in various positions. Manu is seen clutching his book, Deepa on a stool, Jaya near the table, Nirma and Nirmal on the unsteady bench and Vivek looking out at the sky. Mini is standing and starts to complain.

Mini: I’m hungry. Rats are crawling in my stomach. May I run home in the rain, what do you people think?

Vivek (looking at the rain): If you ask me, I would say it is unwise. You may catch a chill.

Mini: But… My gut is rumbling.

Vivek: My gut-feeling is that you grin and bear it for a while. This    is an early summer rain. It won’t last, I dare say.

Meanwhile Nirmal approaches Mini, takes out some chocolates from his pockets and hesitantly offers her some.

Nirmal: I have some foreign chocolates. Would you like to have some?

Others in chorus: Yummy! Foreign chocos! Please do give us some!

As Nirmal distributes chocolates, Nirma also takes some from her pockets and shares among the children.

Manu (turning the chocolate in his mouth, with half-closed eyes): This is HEAVEN, I say! There is nothing in the world like Swiss chocolates.

Jaya (putting her bat on the table): So, the scholar has come alive! The poet of chocolates!

Meanwhile, Vivek claps his hands to get attention of others, and speaks dramatically:

“Friends, my country cousins, lend me your ears!”

Munching chocolates, others in chorus: “We are all ears!”

Vivek: Let us gather here again in the evening and see who are all eager to go trekking. This will be our so called war-room, where we hammer out a plan. Do you have any questions, queries or doubts?  Please be free to air your opinions.

Everyone in chorus: Yup! We are all in. Let’s sort it out in the evening. Now, we go home and have our lunch, before our parents get worried. 

By this time, Vijay rushes into the shed, panting

Jaya: Where have you been all this time?  We sent you off to get some help.

Vijay: I didn’t eat in the morning much. So I went home to get some food. You know, I have been rather peckish.

Jaya (angrily): What you need is a peck in your dirty stomach. Irresponsible rascal!

Vivek (looking out at the rain): There seems to be no let up in the rain. The wind is also strong.
Mini: I’m getting bored.

Vivek: Shall we play some game?

Deepa: What game in this weather?

Vivek: A word game like scrabble?

Nirma: A bird game?

Vivek: No, a word game. But we can make it a bird-game too.

Nirmal: How?

Vivek: Look! I say the name of a bird and you take up its last letter and name another bird.

Deepa: Like anthaakshari?

Vivek: Exactly. Are you game for the game?

Others: We are! You start, dude.

Vivek: Parrot

Mini: My God! Where do you get a bird with its name starting ‘T’?

Everyone looks at one another and seems to have lost the game. Suddenly, Manu raises the hand says: Tern

Jaya: Is there bird like that? Are you sure?

Manu: There is. I can get you its pics from google. Terns are seabirds. Like our cranes, they are seen near wetlands.

Jaya: Okay, scholar boy. It is then ‘tern’, ending with an ‘n’

Deepa: Nightingale! The cuckoo kind.

Vivek: It ends in an ‘e’

Nirma: Eagale. The one that soars high.

Nirmal: Kill me! Again it is an ‘e’

Manu: Egret. The kind that looks like a heron or a crane.

Vivek: You always come up with some exotic names! Anyone with a ‘t’

Vijay: Thrush

Vivek: Now it is an ‘h’

Manu (raising his hands): Hornbill

Deepa: ‘L’ for lark

Vijay: And ‘k’ for kite

Mini: Ammo, Again it is an ‘e’

Manu: Emu

Suddenly there is a crashing sound outside the shed. It is a branch of a tree broken off, falling to the ground. The children shriek.

Episode 4

Place: The shed and its                            surroundings                                                                                                     Time: almost nearing noon

The rain has stopped and the wind subsided. Mini, Vijay, Deepa and Jaya venture out to see what happened. We see them staring at a fallen branch. As they move towards the branch, we go back to the shed to see the remaining children. Vivek is sitting near Nirma and Nirmal. Manu is poring over his book. 

Vivek (to Manu): Hey, man! The rain has stopped. Don’t you want to go home? You must be hungry.

Manu (raising his head from the book): Let me be, please. You go ahead and have your lunch. Please, don’t be so bothersome. I love to sit here and browse through my book.

Vivek: No offense, dude! Sorry, if I hurt your sentiments.

Manu: It’s okay. I know you always like to play the big bro.   

Jaya (off screen): Vivek, I’m off. Mini, Deepa and Vijay have already set off.

Vivek (calls out to Jaya): It’s alright, Jaya. Be here back in the evening with them, won’t you?

Jaya: Sure, bro! See you! So long!

Vivek, Nirma and Nirmal replies: So long, Jaya!

Jaya shouts back: So long, friends. And Nirma.. Nirmal… a ton of thanks for the yummy chocos!

Nirmal and Nirma responds in kind: You are welcome, Jaya! It’s our pleasure.

In the ensuing silence we see Manu turning the pages of the book. Vivek looks at him intently. A spider falls on Nirma’s shirt and she jumps up and down hysterically: EEEEkk.’

All others turn to her and ask: Get a hold on yourself, Nirma! What happened?

Nirma (trying to be calm, gingerly): A spy… spy .. der on my dress.

Manu: A TARANTULA?

Vivek: Pipe down, you pundit! Nirma, it’s harmless. And, I think it’s gone.

Nirma: Yes. But this shed seems spooky to me. See in that corner, there you see, CENTIPEDES. 

Vivek: If you touch them, they round themselves into a kinda wheel. 

Nirmal: We are not used to these creepy creatures. In the city, we never see these things.

Vivek: Once you know them, you will be at ease

Manu (shouts): Nirma! On your back! There is a big lizard… as big as a dinosaur.

Nirma shrieks and turns to see what is at her back. We see a lizard gawking at here. She shouts and shrieks: MOOOMMMY!

Nirmal: Stay calm, Sis! I’ll shoo it off 

As he tries to scare off the lizard, it jumps on to him and, now, he is hysterical. As he wriggles and wiggles the lizard leaves him and goes into some nook.

Manu: Lizards actually evolved from dinosaurs. That’s why we, humans are so mortally afraid of them.

Vivek: Where do you gather all this JNANA from, my maa!

Manu: From books. Books tell you more than the teachers.

By now Nirma and Nirmal have become calm and listen to Vivek and Manu.

Vivek (to Manu): Do you find reading so interesting?

Manu (pompously): What you read that you experience.

Vivek: And what you experience, you don’t have to read.

Nirma and Nirmal laughs out.

Manu (displeased): What is so funny?

Nirma: You seem to be very touchy. A touch-me-not.

Manu: I’m not. You people were so easily sacred by a spider and lizard. And you call me touchy!

Vivek: Forget it my friend! They are new to our village. Show some courtesy …. be a little hospitable … they are our guests… try to be a host.

Manu: Oh! So, now you want me to teach hospitality.

Nirmal: Vivek, if you want my opinion, I say Manu is very sensitive. You know, these poets are very sensitive… touchy.

Vivek: Sensitive, okay. Sensible, I doubt.

Manu ignores them and goes back to his book. As he leafs through the book, Nirmal turns to Vivek.

Nirmal: If you don’t mind, may I invite you to lunch at home?

Vivek: Not at all! It’s a pleasure. What is your father?

Nirma: His name is Divakar.

Vivek: Sorry. I didn’t ask you who he is, but what he is.

Nirmal: Oh! He works in the U S Consulate in Delhi.

Vivek: So, all of you came here for your vacation?

Nirma: You are right.

Nirmal: Manu, would you mind coming with us?

Manu (looking up from the book): I would rather be here.

Vivek: But aren’t you hungry? Your soul won’t survive if your body is starved.

Manu (closing the book): I think you are right. But, Nirmal, I’m a vegetarian.

Nirma: No issue, Manu. Let’s get going

They step out of the shed and walk along a narrow path. As they move, a song is 

overheard:

“It’ all calm                                                              after the turbulent storm;                                                    the sun is at his best                                                       and the earth is now at rest.”

As the three walk, a jeep comes towards them and screeches to a halt. Nirmal and Nirma run towards the jeep, shouting: “Papa, papa!”

Vivek (to Manu): Now, see that you behave yourself. Don’t be a nerd!

Manu: I know my P’s and Q’s. Please, don’t act like you’re my papa.”

Vivek: No, my Pa. Please, move on.

Nirmal and Nirma shouts at them: Hurry, friends. We’re getting late.

As Vivek and Manu approach the Jeep, the wind again picks up and starts howling. The branches of the trees sway and, with a thud, something falls on the windshield of the jeep.

EPISODE 5                                                                                                                                                The shed                                                                                                                                                  Early evening

As the scene opens, it’s all calm in the surroundings of the shed. The camera is loitering around the shed. Broken branches, drenched trees and plants, fluttering butterflies and some other insects are seen. A song as voice-over is heard as the camera pans the scenery.

“Deep in the heart of our country side                                                                               there is a charm nobody can harm.                                        No charm in the world is like bucolic charm                                    which is so calm as well as warm.” (Repeat)

As the song comes to a close, the camera peeps into the shed, bathed in early evening light. In the soft rays of the sun, we see the interior of the shed a little tidier than earlier. It is swept clean and the furniture is arranged as best as possible. We can even see a black board hanging on one side of the shed. On the crippled table, we see some snacks and bottles of water. Deepa, Jaya, Mini and Vijay are seen sitting in various positions in whatever seats are available. Vijay is still munching something from a snack packet he holds on his lap. Deepa is looking out and Jaya browsing in her mobile. Mini is fidgeting and starts speaking.

Mini: I think we came too early for the meeting. It has been ages since Vivek left. Where is he? Is he coming at all?

Vijay: I never liked that guy. He is always trying to prove that he is smarter than us. An arrogant fellow!

Jaya (raising her head from the mobile): Oh, don’ be so biased, Mini. I find nothing wrong with him. Don’t you remember, at school, he is always there to save us from trouble? Don’t be so nasty (and she continues her browsing).

Deepa: Still, I think he should have been here by now.

Vijay: He wants to turn up late to show that he is a V I P.

Mini: Him? A V I P? Don’t tell me!

Vijay: Do you know what V I P stands for?

Mini: I know: A very important person.

Vijay: No, silly! A very idiotic person!

As Vijay, Deepa and Mini laugh, Jaya rears her head from the cell phone.

Jaya: Would you please stop your foolish jokes? A very idiotic person, indeed!

Vijay: Why are you so cross Jaya? Is it that you are also a V I P (and he laughs aloud)?

Jaya:  Yes, daa… I am so much of a V I P that I’ll shove this mobile down your throat. Come here, you hog.

Deepa: Jaya, please, you know how silly he is!

Jaya: I’ll show this silly lily what it means to be a V I P.

Mini: Oho, have we come here to have a tiff? Jaya, just tryVivek on his mobile.

Vijay: I don’t think he has his cell with him.

Deepa:  If he is at home, he may have.

Jaya: But I saw him going in a jeep with Nirmal.

Mini: Still, there is no harm in trying, no?

Deepa: I think she is right

As Jaya calls Vivek, Vijya moves to the table to get some snacks. But Mini prevents him from taking any snack.

Mini: Keep off, Vijay! You have already eaten for a week. Have some thoughts for others too, man!

Vijay: Sorry, I couldn’t help it.

Mini: I know you always want to help yourself.

Vijay: That’s not true. I love helping others.

Jaya: Ayyo, Ammaa… will you stop this bilge! You people are getting on my nerves. I’m not able to get Vivek on his mobile.

Deepa: Try his mom

Jaya: She hates the ground I walk on.

Mini: I’ve to be home before it gets dark.

Jaya: I know.

Deepa: Jaya, would you please give me the mobile? I’ll call Vivek’s mother.

Jaya hands the phone to her and, as she pushes the numbers, others watch her intently. Deepa lays the phone to her ears. She sets the phone down in dismay.

Deepa: She is not picking up the call. Maybe, she is busy.

Vijay: Or maybe, she is a V I P (and laughs out aloud)

Jaya: I’ll kill this idiot one day.

Vijay: What, Jaya? Can’t you take a joke?

Jaya: Not from jokers like you.

Vijay: You always side with Vivek. He is such a show-off.

Mini: It is really getting late. My parents will soon start looking for me.

Jaya: If so, Mini, you go home. We will tell you about the meeting in the morning.

Mini: But ..

Jaya: But what?

Mini: I don’t want to miss the meeting.

Deepa: Then stay and don’t whine. Even my parents will be looking for me when it’s dark.

Mini: But I’m afraid of the dark

Jaya: Then, please, go! Who is holding you back?

Vijay: Waiting here without a thing to do is killing me. Jaya, please do something.

Jaya has been again at the mobile. She smiles looking into the mobile, and turns to Vijay: Hear, dunderhead! Here is a question for you. If you are smarter than Vijay, answer it.

Deepa: I am ready to answer. Is it a puzzle?

Jaya: Sort of. (She reads the puzzle from the mobile): A room that has no floor, ceiling, windows or doors.

Mini: (unexpectedly): Mushroom

Jaya: Atta, girl! (She goes back to her mobile): What does a kidnapper do?

As Vijay thinks hard, Deepa suddenly says: Puts baby goats to sleep.

Deepa and Mini do a high five.

Jaya: Answer at least this Vijay. What do you call an elephant that flies?

Vijay (triumphantly): That one I know! A jumbo jet!

Jaya (appreciatively): Atta boy! Can you tell me the name of one whose work is in ruins?

Deepa (without batting an eyelid): An archaeologist!

Jaya: Okay. This one I really like! Can you dig this one? What did a plank of wood say to the electric drill?

Vijay (bored): This is boring, Jaya.

Jaya: No, It said, “you are boring me!”

As Jaya laughs out aloud, others join her. At the same time we hear the pathetic cry of a frog. Everyone turns to the place from where the sound came. A rat-snake has caught a frog in its mouth. As the frog struggles, Mini, Vijay and Deepa run out screaming in fear. Jaya, but, calmly move out

*

Episode 6                                                                                                                                                          Outside the shed                                                                                                                                             Evening

 

The children stand outside the shed in fear. They are looking towards the shed, when a jeep comes to a halt near them. The front shield of the jeep has cracks on it and the children look at Vivek, Nirma and Nirmal getting off it. The driver of the jeep is an affable oldster who waves to the children in good spirit. Vijay, Deepa, Jaya and Mini look at the front shield questioningly and the oldster shrugs his shoulders.

THE OLDSTER:                                                                                                                                         Nothing that matters. A heavy bird fell on the shield. An eagle. No harm done!

MINI AND VIJAY (holding their breath):

An eagle!

VIVEK, NIRMA & NIRMAL:

Yes. A lAAArge one

DEEPA & JAYA:

Whatever happened to it?

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

It was wounded. We took it home.

VIJAY:

Is it still there… at home?

OLDSTER:

Yup. Vivek nursed it back to life. In a day or two, it will be strong enough to fly.

Everyone looks at Vivek admiringly. Vivek turns a little shy.

NIRMA & NIRMA (to others):

You have been saying that Vivek is a trouble-maker at school

VIJAY:

He is.

JAYA:

He isn’t. Some people don’t like his sportsman-spirit. He is really a good egg.

MINI:

I agree that he isn’t a bad hat. Still sometimes he does play pranks. And, it often irritates even his teachers

JAYA:

It makes him all the more adorable

THE OLDSTER:

What is school life without a few practical jokes!

NIRMA & NIRAML:

Anyway, today he really nursed the eagle back to life

All OTHER CHILDREN:

Congratulations, VIVEK!

Nirma and Nirmal bid good bye to the oldster.

NIRMA & NIRMAL:                                                                                              Bye, papa! We’ll be back soon.

FATHER:                                                                                                                                              Take care, you guys!

Meanwhile Vivek is moving towards the shed. Deepa detains him.

DEEPA:                                                                                                                                                     No, Vivek! Hold on! There’s a snake in the shed.”                              

VIVEK, NIRMA & NIRMAL (aloud in surprise):                                                                                                                                                                              A snake! What kind?                                                                                                                    JAYA:

We don’t know. It looked dangerous.

VIVEK:

Was it big?

MINI & VIJAY:

Yeah, man! You should have seen it! It was very long.

VIVEK:

And, was it fat?

DEEPA:

It wasn’t. But it was gobbling up a frog.

VIVEK:

Then there is nothing to be worried about. It must be a rat-snake.

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

Isn’t it venomous?

VIVEK:

Hardly. I’ll just show you.

As Vivek was about to go towards the shed, Nirma & Nirmal’s father, who has heard the talk, gets off the jeep and moves towards the shed. He peeps into the shed.                                                                                                                                           

FATHER:                                                                                                                                                  Snake or no snake; this is no place for you children to be. Such a dismal place! Why don’t you assemble in our community hall? I’ll take you there in my jeep. This is no place for a meeting in the evening.

VIVEK:                                                                                                                                                     Won’t it be a bother for you, Sir?

FATHER:                                                                                                                                                       I told you Viv, not to call me sir. Call me Uncle or just by my name, Shankar.

VIVEK:                                                                                                                                                      Sorry Sir; I mean uncle.

SHANKAR (to others):                                                                                                                                                        You guys hop into the jeep. Meanwhile I’ll get your things from the shed. BY the way, my name is Shankar, and I’m Nirma and Nirmal’s father. You can call me Shankar uncle, but never ever ‘sir’ me.

OTHER CHIDREN:

Hi, Shankar Uncle! We are glad to meet you.

SHANKAR:

Nice to meet you guys.

As the children get into the jeep, Mr. Shankar gets their things (some knapsacks, snack packets and bottles of water) into the jeep. As he piles them up in the back, he speaks.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                   Settle yourselves comfortably. I’ll get you to the community hall in a jiffy. There you have lights, toilets and other amenities. Once you are done, just call me; and, I’ll get all of you back home safely. Okay, guys?

CHILDREN(in chorus):                                                                                                                                Okay, Shankar uncle. And, thank you a lot!

Mr. Shankar climbs into the driver’s seat. Vivek is already in the front and others at the back of the seat.  Mr. Shankar starts the jeep. The children are excited and the drive begins. After a while Shankar speaks.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                    Why are you guys so silent. I thought it’ll be fun driving you. I have never seen children so silent.

VIVEK:                                                                                                                                                      They are still in shock. The rat-snake really rattled them.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                        Fie! It was no venomous snake. A harmless frog-eating reptile.

JAYA:                                                                                                                                                              Still, a snake always sends a shiver down your spine.

 

Vijay has now started eating some snacks from a plastic pack.

VIJAY:

I think it was a cobra

VIVEK (laughs):

A cobra? Cobras have hoods. Did it have a hood, Vij?

VIJAY:

I don’t remember. I was looking at the frog.

JAYA (sarcastically):

He was nowhere near the snake. The moment he heard ‘snake’, he was at the other end of the world.

DEEPA: (mocking Vijay):

He must have wet his pants

Vijay gets angry and throws the snack-packet at Deepa and shouts.

VIJAY:

You’re the one who wets yourself every night.

Deepa throws back the packet and jumps at him. She is all fury now.

DEEPA:

How dare you! You, horrible pig!

VIjAY:

You ugly witch!

As these two children come to fisticuffs Nirma, Nirmal and Jaya try to keep them apart. Mini keeps a safe distance. Shankar is smiling to himself. Vivek turns from the front seat and speaks.

VIVEK:

If you two idiots are going about like this, we’ll chuck you out. Shut your trap and don’t go about like playschool kids!

Meanwhile Jaya has succeeded in separating the brawlers. They sit apart, sulking.

JAYA:

Vij, Deep; say sorry to each other and shake hands.

Vijay and Deepa still sit sulking.

VIVEK:

Do as Jaya says

SHANKAR (laughing):

Patch it up, guys!

VIJAY:

It was she who started it first

JAYA:

It doesn’t matter. Say sorry, I say!

VIJAY (extending his hand to Deepa):

I’m sorry, Deep.

DEEPA (taking his hand and shaking):

So am I, Vij. Sorry!

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                    Let’s put it behind us and enjoy the ride. Now, who among you can sing?

VIJAY:                                                                                                                                                       Mini is a mini star-singer.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                 Fine! Mini, sing a merry song and make us all merry.

MINI (in mock timidity):                                                                                                                  Ayyo! My voice is not that good.

OTHER CHILDREN:                                                                                                                                         O, come on, Mini! A few bars won’t be of any harm.

MINI:                                                                                                                                                         But, will any of you join me?

OTHERS:

We will.

SHNKAR:                                                                                                                                               Even I will.

Mini clears her throat. Others expectantly look at her.

MINI:                                                                                                                                                      This is an old song.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                   Old or new, sing away baby!

Now Mini is all set and as she sings, others join in the song.

CHILDREN (singing):                                                                                                                                      The wheels on the jeep go round and round                                                                                         round and round,                                                                                                                                round and round (repeat)                                                                                                              The doors of the jeep go open and shut                                                                                                                    open and shut, open and shut                                                                                                         all through the land(repeat)                                                                                                                                    the wiper on the jeep go swish, swish, swish                                                                                              swish, swish, swish                                                                                                                                             all through the land ( repeat)                                                                                                                                                      The signals on the jeep go blink, blink, blink                                                                                    blink, blink, blink                                                                                                                                        all through the land (repeat)

Everyone in the jeep is enjoying Mini’s song and clapping with their feet and hand. As the song reaches its crescendo, there is a loud burst. The jeep shakes violently and comes to a halt. Shankar gets down to see what the matter is. He looks at the tires and sees that one is punctured.

VIVEK:                                                                                                                                                       What happened sir, I mean, uncle?

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                      A tire is punctured. We’ll have to change it.

VIVEK(to others):                                                                                                                                  Please, do get down. We have to change a tire.

SHANKAR:                                                                                                                                                     No. Let them sit there. We can fix it.

But all children get down and watch Shankar going to the booty of the jeep and getting the tools and the spare tire. Shankar starts unscrewing the punctured tire. Vivek helps him in the task. As they engage in fixing the spare tire, the others watch fascinated.

*

 EPISODE 7

The wayside                                                                                                                                   Late evening

As the scene opens, we see Manu sitting on the punctured tire and browsing through a book. A little away from him we see the jeep and Shankar fixing the spare tire. Vivek is active in helping the man, handing tools and holding up the tire. Vijay is munching some chips from his packet and watching the scenery. Jaya is at her mobile, and Mini, Nirma, Deepa and Nirmal are watching Vivek and Shankar. While fixing the tire, Shankar speaks to Vivek.

SHANKAR:

Vivek, may I make a suggestion?

VIVEK:

Of course, Sir.

SHANKAR (in mock anger):

Vivek!

VIVEK:

I’m terribly sorry, Uncle!

SHANKAR (laughs):

That’s better! Next time I won’t remind you. I’ll just whack your head.

VIVEK (laughs):

And, you were saying …?

SHANKAR:

See, it is getting dark, and the people at home would get worried sick, if the children were late. So,…

Shankar has by now fixed the tire. He removes the jack and hands it over to Vivek. As he gathers the jack and other tools and keeps them in the kit, he speaks.

VIVEK:

I know. Even I was thinking about it. Mini’s and Vijay’s parents will especially be worried.

After that he hollers to Manu.

Vivek:

Manu, get that tire here. Roll it to the jeep.

He turns to Vijay and shouts.

VIVEK:

Why don’t you help him, Vijay? Give some rest to your teeth. Even they must be fed up of you.

As Manu gets up from the tire, Vijay runs towards him to help. As both of them start rolling the tire towards the jeep, we come back to Vivek and Shankar.

SHANKAR:

So, don’t you think, you had better have your meeting tomorrow morning? It’ll be safe and sound in the morning. And the parents will also be happy.

VIVEK:

I think that is a good idea. Thanks, Uncle!

At this juncture we hear a cry from Manu. As we look at Manu and Vijay, we see that the tire had fallen on Manu’s leg and Vijay is helping him get up. The other children except Vivek also go to their side.

MANU (holding Vijay’s hand and getting up):

You clumsy oaf!

VIJAY:

I’m really sorry, Manu

MANU(leaving his hand and waving at him):

Never mind! I’m okay.

DEEPA:

This Vijay is always trying to hurt someone or the other. And, I know he purposely hurt Manu

JAYA:

Don’t you start again, Deep!

DEEPA:

I was just stating a fact.

JAYA:

You and your fact

MINI (laughs)

Deep can’t stand Vijay. And, when it comes to Manu, you know how she is

JAYA:

Enough Mini. You people are just looking for a chance to stir up trouble. Manu, are you hurt?

MANU:

No, Jaya. I’m all right. Where is my book?

Manu looks for his book. Meanwhile Nirma and Nirmal have taken hold of the tire and deposited it at the back of the Jeep. Vivek places the toolkit near the tire. Jaya, Deepa and Mini are with Vijay and Manu who has found his book. Jaya is consoling Manu, rubbing his leg. They slowly approach the jeep. Meanwhile, Shankar speaks to Vivek:

SHANKAR:

Not just that, Vivek. There is one more thing.

VIVEK(looking at him questioningly):

Yes, Uncle? What’s it?

SHANKAR:

Isn’t this idea of trekking to the woods a little risky?

NIRMA:

That is true. There would be creepy, crawly things like spiders

NIRMAL:

Squealing, squelching and hissing things like snakes

MANU:

But woods are lovely, dark and deep

JAYA:

But only from a distance, you creep!

SHANKAR:

That is true. See, this Mini and Vijay couldn’t stand even a simple snake! And in the woods there will be plenty!

Mini shudders and looks at Vijay. He has opened his eyes wide. Now, Deepa speaks:

DEEPA:

And Vijay will drop dead as soon as he sees one

VIJAY:

I’ll deal with you later. You just wait.

JAYA:

Will you two just stop it! Put a lid on it, I say!

Deepa and Vijay sulk and keep silent.

MINI(grimacing):

It’s true that there will be unpleasant creatures like bats and scorpions.

 NIRMA & NIRMAL:

Eeeeek ….

VIVEK:

Elephants and apes!

MANU:

Bears and bison!

MINI:

Wasps and Bees … Ammaa…

SHANKAR (laughing merrily):

My God! You’re painting a picture of horror.

VIJAY:

I thought the woods would be fun. But, now, it seems everyone has some fear or the other.

DEEPA:

It would be fun seeing you scared to death.

Vijay throws a pebble at Deepa which she wards off. Jaya gives a kick to Vijay’s head and he cries in pain.

VIJAY:

Ouch! It hurts, Jaya

JAYA:

Behave yourself! Otherwise I’ll tear you apart.

MANU:

It isn’t fear, if you ask me. I would say it is a bias.

SHANKAR (still laughing):

Anyway, the majority seems to be against the woods. So, Vivek, why don’t we change the destination, I mean, the place.

Vivek slips into deep thought. He raises his eyes upward, then murmurs.

VIVEK (murmuring):

We have the beach to go to or …

NIRRMA & NIRMAL (turns to Shankar):

Papa, could we all visit your farm house?

SHANKAR:

Why not? It’s an excellent idea! All of you are most welcome!

He turns to Vivek.

SHANKAR:

What do you say Vivek?

VIVEK:

I have no issues.

He turns to the other children:

VIVEK:

What is your opinion?

ALL (in one voice):

We have no issues either.

JAYA:

In fact, it’s an awesome idea.

DEEPA:

Truly.

MINI:

A gem of an idea. Thank you Nirma, Nirmal.

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

It’s our pleasure

VIVEK:

So, that is now set. And, one more thing; here, listen everybody! Today’s meeting is called off. We will meet tomorrow. I’ll let you know the time and place. Keep your Whatsapp open.

SHANKAR:

Vivek, may I say something.

VIVEK:

Of course! Go ahead, uncle.

SHANKAR:

Look here, you guys and gals! It’s getting late. Right now, I’m going to drop you at your homes.

CHILDREN:

That’s so nice of you, Shankar Uncle!

SHANKAR:

Thank you. I’ll come back at 10 in the morning tomorrow to pick you up. All of you have your breakfast and wait for me. Lunch will be at my farm. Is it okay with you?

Children express themselves in various ways.

CHILDREN:

Great!

Capital!

Awesome!

Wonderful!

Suddenly a crow cawing lands atop the jeep. At the sight of the crow, Manu bursts into a song.

MANU:

“You, cawing crow,

Back home you go.

The sun is set

Return to your nest.”

As he sings, he waves at the crow, and it flies away.

SHANKAR:

Ah! Our instant poet!

NIRMAL and DEEPA:

He is our genius, uncle.

SHANKAR:

Alright. Now, hop into the jeep youngsters.

Everyone clambers into the jeep. Shankar takes the wheel and the jeep is on the move. On the move the children repeat Manu’s  song.

CHILDREN:

“You, cawing crow

Back home you go

The sun is set

Return to your nest.”

 

As they repeat the song Vijay’s body convulses and he shows signs of vomiting. The children stop the song and Shankar turns his head to see what the matter is. Sensing something amiss, he stops the jeep carefully.

*

 EPISODE 8

The jeep on the way.                                                                                                                                     The evening has darkened.

We see the jeep at a standstill. Its headlights, taillights and the interior light are all on. From the front seats of the jeep Shankar and Vivek are looking at Vijay. From the backseat the other children have come near Vijay who is evidently suffering. He is about to puke.

VIVEK:

Get him out, Jaya. I don’t want him to puke in here.

Jaya guides Vijay out. Other children also get out in concern

JAYA:

I told him not to eat too much. How much can your stomach hold?

VIJAY (weakly):

It isn’t food, I swear. It’s the smell of the jeep

JAYA:

Nice excuse, brave-heart!

VIJAY:

No, Jaya! I swear I can’t be in a jeep for a long time. Something gets into me

DEEPA:

Maybe, he is right. See, he is going limp

Meanwhile Shankar with a torch, and Vivek have also got off the jeep. Jaya takes Vijay to the wayside. There he sits and retches as Shankar beams the flashlight towards them. Jaya and Deepa rubs his back. A few moments pass. Vijay vomits with effort and stands up. He appears very weak. Vivek fetches a bottle of water from the back of the jeep and hands it over to Jaya who, in turn, gives it to Vijay.

VIVEK:

Drink as much  as you want, Vij. You may get dehydrated.

Vijay takes the water and drinks it with effort.

VIJAY:

Thanks, bro

 He drinks the water and hands it back to Jaya. She rubs his back.

Jaya:

How do you feel? Are you alright, now?

Vijay speaks in a feeble voice.

Vijay (breathes hard)

Yes. I thought I’d die

DEEPA:

Not in a hundred years

JAYA:(in chiding tone)

Deep, mind your words!

DEEPA:

I was trying to cheer him up.

JAYA:

Enough of your cheering!

VIJAY:

She must be glad now

DEEPA:

Who says?

JAYA:

Deep, you get back into the jeep, without being nasty.

Deepa retreats to the jeep. Mini hands over  paper-bag to Vijay.

MINI:

Vij, use this if you feel like vomiting again in the jeep

Vijay takes the bag.He walks towards the jeep with Jay’s assistance. Shankar turns off the flashlight. Nirma and Nirmal also walk towards the jeep. They are followed by Vivek and Mini.

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

Papa, we may have some lemons in the dashboard

Shankar fishes in the dashboard and gets one or two lemons. He gives them to Vijay.

SHANKAR:

Smell it. And keep on smelling it, my boy.

They get into the jeep. Shankar starts the jeep. And the journey resumes.

SHANKAR:

I know VIjay is a brave lad. A light vomiting is not going to get him down. And only a strong stomach can throw up things. I would therefore say he has got guts.

Everyone including Vijay laughs.

                             VIVEK:

Let’s drop Vijay first.

SHANKAR:

Yep. Fair enough

The vehicle moves in silence for a while. Then, Vivek points at a house at some distance.

VIVEK:

That’s Vijay’s house.

The jeep comes to a halt near Vijay’s house.

SHANKAR:

Vivek, please see to it that he gets home safely. Take my flashlight.

He gives his flashlight to Vivek. Vijay gets off the jeep with his knapsack. Mini also gets down.

MINI:

My house is next to his. Good night, Shankar Uncle, and thank you; good night, friends.

SHANKAR and OTHERS:

Good night, Mini. Take care

Now Deepa gets down and goes to Vijay.

DEEPA (smilingly to Vijay):

Are you still cross with me?

VIJAY(unsmiling):

No.

DEEPA (extending her hand):

Friends?

VIJAY (suddenly smiling):

Friends.

They shake hands and do a high five. Everyone suddenly claps.

VIJAY:

Good night, everyone. Uncle, I’ m sorry for the mess I made.

SHANKAR:

It’s okay, my boy. Good night. Get some good sleep.

OTHERS:

Good night, Vijay! Take rest.

VIVEK:

See, Vijay, if you don’t feel well, you needn’t come tomorrow. Take rest; get well.

VIJAY:

No. I want to come. I don’t want to miss the trip.

DEEPA:

I think Vij will be okay by morning

VIVEK:

Okay, we’ll see in the morning. Now, walk on.

Vivek guides Mini and Vijay towards the house. We see only the beam of the flashlight in front of them. After following the light for a few seconds, we return to the jeep.

SHANKAR:

Do all of you go to the same school?

JAYA:

Yeah. To the school in the nearby town. We have none in our village.

Suddenly Manu starts reciting.

MANU:

“The six of us from this village

Go to the nearby town-school.

Inside it and outside it

We do learn a lot of things.

Things very great and things very trite

We learn all that we are taught”

At that point Deepa and Jaya also join in the recital.

JAYA, DEEPA & MANU:

“The six of us from this village

We are called the gang of six.”

By the time they repeat the lines and finish it, Vivek returns and climbs into the jeep. He returns the flashlight to Shankar. Starting and moving the jeep Shankar asks him:

SHANKAR:

Is everything alright?

VIVEK:

I hope so. I didn’t wait to meet their parents.

SHANKAR:

That’s fine. Otherwise, it would have delayed us. What do you say, you the members of the gang of six?

DEEPA,JAYA and MANU:

Yeah, Uncle.

SHANKAR (to Vivek):

They say, you call yourselves the gang of six

Vivek laughs.

SHANKR:

Do you know what a gang actually means?

NIRMA & NIRML:

It is a set of robbers or thugs, isn’t it?

SHANKAR:

Yep. True.

Manu:

The six thugs of the village. Yes!

He makes a fist and pushes his hand up and down. Deepa and Jaya laugh.

SANKAR:

To come back to you, Nirma and Nirmal. You know a gang is set of robbers. Then, what is a set of dogs or thieves called?

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

A pack.

SHANKAR:

And a set of lions?

Silence follows for a few seconds and, then, Vivek speaks.

VIVEK:

Isn’t it a pride?

SHANKAR:

You’re spot on. What do you call a set of elephants?

DEEPA & JAYA:

That’s easy. A herd

MANU:

It has another name.

EVERYONE:

What?

MANU (triumphantly):

A group of elephants is called a memory.

SHANKAR:

That is news to me! Hats off to you, scholar thug! Now, what is a set of giraffes called?

VIVEK (laughingly):

That I’ve read somewhere. It is a tower.

OTHERS:

Really?

SANKAR:

Yes. A group of giraffe is a tower. Now, for the next one. What do you call a group of swimming fish?

Everyone is racking their brain. At last Manu comes up with the answer.

MANU:

A set of fish is called a school.

SHANKAR:

Right, Ho! So you are all fish in the school!

Everyone laughs.

SHANKAR:

The answer to the next will surprise you. What is the name for a group of crows?

Again, everyone thinks hard. But no one seems to get an answer.

MANU:

I give up.

DEEPA:

No bell rings in the head.

JAYA:

Too tough, it looks.

VIVEK:

As you said, must be something surprising

SHANKAR:

So, brace yourself up for a shock. A group of crows is called a … MURDER!

DEEPA:

My God!

MANU:

Incredible!

JAYA:

But crows in a group can really be murderous

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

True. I remember the movie ‘the Birds’.

SHANKAR:

Exactly!

The jeep moves on and we only hear the murmur of the people inside the jeep. From the distance the howls of jackals could be heard followed by the barks of dogs and the scene gets filled with alternating barks and howls.

*

 EPISODE 9

The dirt road                                                                                                                                                 Early night

The jeep is on the move on a dirt-road, accompanied by the howls of foxes and the barks of dogs. It has grown dark and the only light is from the jeep. Occasionally an odd vehicle passes by the jeep ---- a motor bike, a bicycle or an auto rickshaw. The noise from the animals gets strident and it seems to affect Nirma and Nirmal. They cover their ears and grimace.

Nirma:

It’s believed that a village is all quiet and calm.

Nirmal:

… all fresh air and natural beauty

Manu laughs heartily and in between laughs he speaks.

Manu:

You city folks have weird ideas

Jaya:

Very true. They think the countryside is all heaven. They have their own superstitions

Deepa:

Uncle, I’m a little scared. Please drop me next.

Shankar:

Sure, Deepa. But, don’t you worry. These noises will stop by and by.

Deepa:

But, still…

Manu:

Deep, why you fear, when I’m here?

Manu holds her hand in a tight grip. She leans towards him. Jaya holds them both.

 Jaya:

There, we are all with you, Deep.

For some time, there is silence in the jeep. It is now almost very dark outside except for the skylight. Shankar turns to these children and speaks.

Shankar:

Shall I put a song on?

Manu:

Okay, Uncle.

Shankar tries to play some song. At that moment Vijay speaks:

Vijay:

Uncle, please stop the jeep. We’re near Deepa’s house.

The jeep stops.

Shankar:

Take your things, Deepa and get down carefully.

As Deepa gathers the things Vivek asks.

Vivek:

Do you have my mask with you? If you have, give it back, Deepa

Deepa:

I have it with me. But… do you want it?

Vivek:

Why? Do you want to keep it?

Jaya:

I think she is up to some mischief.

Deepa:

No; let me keep it, please I love it, Vivek

Vivek:

Okay, but don’t play any mischief.

Deepa, wearing the mask, gets out of the jeep. Jaya murmurs.

Jaya:

Naughty girl! Wily beast!

As Deepa gets down Jaya also gets down. Deepa, now, has the mask on. Nirmal and Nirma sees something at a distance and are fascinated.

Nirma & Nirmal:

Look there!

Everyone look at the place they point at. We see the trees aglow with golden specks. The specks are twinkling and throbbing. Manu also gets out of the jeep, staring at the glow.

Manu:

Fireflies!

Jaya:

Glow worms!

The trees and plants are full of fireflies glowing intermittently, creating a spectacle in the night. Manu, Deepa and Jaya clap their hands and dance, singing the following lines. Vivek, Nirma, Nirmal and Shankar appreciate it from the jeep.

Jaya, Deepa & Manu:

“Twinkle, twinkle little stars,

Glow-worms you’re summer stars (repeat)

Just as we’ve stars above

So have we you stars below (repeat)  

Deepa and Jaya are beside themselves with excitement. Exhausted, Deepa falls on the ground with her mask on and Jaya sits beside her. Manu continues the song on his own.     

Manu:

Fireflies, fireflies burning bright

In the forest of the summer night (repeat)

Up above the stars aglow

Down below the flies aglow (repeat)

Shankar gets down with the torch and helps Deepa get up.

Shankar:

Take off your mask, and run home, Deepa.

Deepa gets up and walks home.

Deepa:

Bye, Uncle! Bye, friends! It was a nice ride, Uncle.

Shankar:

Thank you, Deepa… Now, scoot as fast as you can.

As Deepa goes Shankar lights her path with the torch. As she disappears, he and Manu get back into the jeep. A few fireflies land on Nirma and Nirmal. They shriek in fear and try to ward the flies off.

Vivek:

Don’t  you worry, guys. They’re harmless.

Nirma & Nirml:

Don’t they bite? Don’t they sting … like bees and mosquitoes?

Shankar:

No, They are harmless. They don’t bite; nor do they sting.

Nirma & Nirmal:

They give us the creeps

MANU:

Fireflies are messengers that whisper in the night

Nirma:

Won’t their fire singe us?

Vivek:

No, no. Their light has no heat

Shankar:

So far humans have not been able to produce light without heat

Vivek:

Human technology can’t vie with nature’s tech

Nirmal:

Marvelous!

Jaya:

But they are not all flies. I mean all of them can’t fly.

Shankar:

That is true. The female fireflies don’t fly

Nirma:

But why do they glow?

Shankar:

As Manu said, they message one another. Just as you use Wthatsapp, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram

NIRMA & NIRMAL:

You mean nature has its own messaging system?

SHANKAR:

Grow up kids. Don’t you know, bees communicate with each other

Jaya:

Just as birds do

Vivek:

You know, glow-worms stand for hope and spirit

Manu:

Yes, just as doves stand for peace

Nirma:

You mean they are symbols like the doves

Manu:

Yes. Just as we say Vivek is as brave as a…what’s it Vivek?

Vivek:

A lion; but it is just a way of speaking

Shankar:

Just as you say, as afraid as a chicken.

Manu:

Like, as clever as a fox

Shankar:

Whose house is next?

Vivek:

Manu’s

Shankar:

Just tell me when his house comes

Manu:

It’s just a few feet away. Okay, it is here, please stop.

The jeep stops near Manu’s house. But there are no lights outside the house. As Manu gets down, Shankar too gets down.

Shankar:

It seems something is amiss. I’ll come with you.

Manu:

No, Uncle. It is okay. I will find my way on my own. Thanks for your concern.

Shankar:

Okay, my boy. I’ll stand by. You proceed

As Manu moves towards the house, Shankar lights his torch for Manu to see the way.

*

 EPISODE 12

Exterior: Outside the farm house

About 9.30 a.m.

It’s a bright morning with the sky clear. We see the farmhouse and its arched gate from above. We see the legend, ‘SHANKAR’S RANCH’ on the arch of the gate. As though uninterested, we move away from the gate to the narrow approach road and set out backward towards the main street. We pass stray vehicles and  people on the way, and discover the six children cycling towards the farm. They are all in casual trousers and T-shirts and carry a rucksack /backpack / knapsack. They are gay and are cycling relaxed. Vivek brings up the rear and Jaya holds up the front. We go past them and have a glance at various things on the wayside: flowers, birds, dragonflies, bees, a cat or a dog or a cow here and there, a man or a woman or a child moving on. Then we come back to the rear of the cycling gang and realize that Manu has started singing and the other five are singing in support.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the snatch.

MANU:

On his farm he has a cow

A cow that goes ‘round moo, moo, moo.

OTHERS:

A moo, moo here and a moo, moo there

A moo, moo, moo, moo everywhere.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a dog

A dog that goes ‘round bow, bow, bow.

OTHERS:

A bow, bow here and a bow, bow there

A bow, bow bow bow every everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeyaa o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a duck

A duck that goes ‘round quack, quack, quack.

OTHERS:

A quack, quack here and a quack, quack there

A quack, quack, quack, quack everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeya o.

Others repeat.

MANU:

On his farm he has a chick

A chick that goes ‘round cluck, cluck, cluck.

OTHERS:

A cluck, cluck here and a cluck, cluck there

A cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck everywhere.

Now, everyone including MANU sings:

MANU & OTHERS:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o!

Cycling the children reach the gate of the farm. The gate is seen closed. All the children at the same time ring their cycle bells. A man in dhoti and T-shirt is seen coming from the farm to the gate. As they see the man, they stop the bells. The man hurriedly opens the gate and lets in the children. They park the cycles in the shade of a huge tree with thick foliage. At the same time we see Nirma and Nirmal rushing towards them.

NIRMA & NIRMAL (raising their arms)

Hi, guys!

The children greet back.

CHILDREN:

Hi, good morning!

Nirma & Nirmal:

A very good morning, guys.

They turn to the middle-aged man.

NIRMAL:

Rametta, get them to the sitting room. We’ll fetch Papa.

RAMAN:

Very well, Dear.

He turns to the children, as Nirma and Nirmal go to fetch Shankar.

RAMAN:

Shall I carry your bags?

VIVEK:

No, Uncle. They aren’t heavy. Jaya, Deepa, Mini, Manu, Vijay … follow us.

He turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

So, your name is Raman, isn’t it, uncle?

RAMAN (guiding them to the farmhouse):

Yes.

JAYA:

How long have you been with this farm?

RAMAN:

Very long

MANU:

Do you live here or …

RAMAN:

Yes, I live here

DEEPA:

And your children?

RAMAN:

I have no children.

MINI:

What about your wife?

RAMAN:

I’ve no wifey.

ViJAY:

And no Wi-Fi?

JAYA & DEEPA (ignoring the remark):

So, you stay here all alone?

RAMAN:

Not when Sir is around.

All laugh.

VIJAY:

How is the food here?

DEEPA:

I knew, it was coming

Again all laugh.

RAMAN:

As good as food can be.

VIVEK:

Is there a chef here?

By now, they have reached the porch and Raman guides them into a spacious sitting room. There is a bookshelf against one of the walls, stuffed with books. There are two large sofas, into which the children plunge. They throw their bags on the large teapoy before the sofas. There is a world-map on one of the walls. A door leads into the dining room and another into a bedroom. The other two walls have minimum decoration.

Raman continues the thread of conversation.

RAMAN:

No; I am the cook here.

VIVEK:

O!

Manu is examining the bookshelf. Vijay takes a snack packet and a bottle of water out of his bag. Deepa snatches his packet and keeps it away from him.

DEEPA:

There is a time for everything!

VIJAY:

You, brute!

JAYA:

Shut up! Vijay, you can have a cookie if you can show Belarus on this map.

She points towards the map on the wall.

VIJAY (sneeringly):

Is there such a country?

JAYA:

Yep. It’s near Latavia.

By now, Raman has disappeared through the kitchen. Except Manu, the children (some sitting and others standing) are focusing on the map.

MINI:

Latavia? Never heard of such a country.

VIVEK:

A mini-country

Vijay tries hard to locate Belarus on the map. He takes a long scale on the teapoy and starts searching. Suddenly, without lifting his face from the book he has taken from the shelf, Manu speaks up.

MANU:

Look near Russia

Vijay follows his advice and locates Belarus near Russia.

VIJAY:

There it is, your blasted Belarus; (turning to Jaya) Now, hand me my cookie.

DEEPA:

But without Manu you wouldn’t have made it

JAYA:

It’s fine; let him have it.

Jaya gives Vijay a cookie.

VIJAY (while crunching the cookie)

Would you give me another one?

VIVEK:

Sure; but you have to locate another country

MINI:

A cookie for a country

JAYA:

And anyone can join the game. All are welcome.

DEEPA:

And Manu, no more helping with any clues! One has to win on one’s own

MANU:

Leave me out. I want to read this book.

Manu settles in the sofa with the book

JAYA:

Let’s begin the game. You can use the scale to point out the country.

VIJAY:

Name the country, please.

VIVEK:

Austria

MINI:

The one who names cannot participate.

VIVEK:

Fair enough!

Others start looking for Austria. Vijay triumphantly points at a country and shouts.

VIJAY:

Eureka! Austria! Hand over my cookie.  A cookie for my beloved Austria.

He keeps on pointing at a country and jumps up and down.

Deepa gets up and yells at him.

DEEPA:

You international idiot! That’s AU-STRA-LIA, not AUS-TRIA. You have saucer-sized eyes. Can’t you see?

Vijay looks at the map and Australia stares at him. For a second he stands with his mouth agape. Then he speaks.

VIJAY:

But Vivek said ‘Australia’. I remember. You are pulling my leg.

VIVEK:

No. ‘Austria’ was what I said

MINI;

True. And, you know, I know where Austria is.

Mini goes to the map and locates Austria

MINI:

Some of our people have settled there. There they speak German.

DEEPA (laughing)

Ask our Vij to show Poland and he will give you Holland

JAYA:

And he will change Algeria to Nigeria. Mini, here is your biscuit.

MINI:

No,thanks. You give it to Vij.

VIJAY (sulking)

I don’t want your charity, Ma Theresa.

VIVEK:

Take it Vij; be a sport.

Vijay accepts the biscuit.

JAYA:

Now, who can locate Estonia?

MINI:

What Sonia?

JAYA:

ES-TO-NIA

Everyone looks for Estonia on the map except Jaya and Manu

MANU:

Estonia got its independence on 20^th August 1991

 

When everyone fails to locate the country Jaya speaks:

Jaya (to Manu):

If you are such a walking encyclopedia, come and show it.

Manu walks to the map calmly, takes the scale and points at the country.

MANU:

Here it is!

Everyone claps the hand and Jaya gives him a biscuit. As Manu takes it, Shankar in a casual dress enters from outside, followed by Nirma and Nirmal.

SHANKAR:

I see, you young thugs are enjoying your time. Well, well! Very good

Everyone stands and turns to him and greets.

ALL:

Good morning, Shankar uncle

SHANKAR:

Good morning, gang of six. Please move into the dining room. We will have some refreshment. Go, wash your face and hands.

All of them move into the dining room, where there is a large dining table flanked by ten chairs. As the children take their turns at the wash basin, Shankar calls out:

SHANKAR:

Ramettaaaa…

Suddenly a crashing sound is heard from the adjoining kitchen. The children freeze at the washbasin and Shankar moves to the kitchen.

*EPISODE 12

Exterior: Outside the farm house

About 9.30 a.m.

It’s a bright morning with the sky clear. We see the farmhouse and its arched gate from above. We see the legend, ‘SHANKAR’S RANCH’ on the arch of the gate. As though uninterested, we move away from the gate to the narrow approach road and set out backward towards the main street. We pass stray vehicles and  people on the way, and discover the six children cycling towards the farm. They are all in casual trousers and T-shirts and carry a rucksack /backpack / knapsack. They are gay and are cycling relaxed. Vivek brings up the rear and Jaya holds up the front. We go past them and have a glance at various things on the wayside: flowers, birds, dragonflies, bees, a cat or a dog or a cow here and there, a man or a woman or a child moving on. Then we come back to the rear of the cycling gang and realize that Manu has started singing and the other five are singing in support.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the snatch.

MANU:

On his farm he has a cow

A cow that goes ‘round moo, moo, moo.

OTHERS:

A moo, moo here and a moo, moo there

A moo, moo, moo, moo everywhere.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a dog

A dog that goes ‘round bow, bow, bow.

OTHERS:

A bow, bow here and a bow, bow there

A bow, bow bow bow every everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeyaa o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a duck

A duck that goes ‘round quack, quack, quack.

OTHERS:

A quack, quack here and a quack, quack there

A quack, quack, quack, quack everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeya o.

Others repeat.

MANU:

On his farm he has a chick

A chick that goes ‘round cluck, cluck, cluck.

OTHERS:

A cluck, cluck here and a cluck, cluck there

A cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck everywhere.

Now, everyone including MANU sings:

MANU & OTHERS:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o!

Cycling the children reach the gate of the farm. The gate is seen closed. All the children at the same time ring their cycle bells. A man in dhoti and T-shirt is seen coming from the farm to the gate. As they see the man, they stop the bells. The man hurriedly opens the gate and lets in the children. They park the cycles in the shade of a huge tree with thick foliage. At the same time we see Nirma and Nirmal rushing towards them.

NIRMA & NIRMAL (raising their arms)

Hi, guys!

The children greet back.

CHILDREN:

Hi, good morning!

Nirma & Nirmal:

A very good morning, guys.

They turn to the middle-aged man.

NIRMAL:

Rametta, get them to the sitting room. We’ll fetch Papa.

RAMAN:

Very well, Dear.

He turns to the children, as Nirma and Nirmal go to fetch Shankar.

RAMAN:

Shall I carry your bags?

VIVEK:

No, Uncle. They aren’t heavy. Jaya, Deepa, Mini, Manu, Vijay … follow us.

He turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

So, your name is Raman, isn’t it, uncle?

RAMAN (guiding them to the farmhouse):

Yes.

JAYA:

How long have you been with this farm?

RAMAN:

Very long

MANU:

Do you live here or …

RAMAN:

Yes, I live here

DEEPA:

And your children?

RAMAN:

I have no children.

MINI:

What about your wife?

RAMAN:

I’ve no wifey.

ViJAY:

And no Wi-Fi?

JAYA & DEEPA (ignoring the remark):

So, you stay here all alone?

RAMAN:

Not when Sir is around.

All laugh.

VIJAY:

How is the food here?

DEEPA:

I knew, it was coming

Again all laugh.

RAMAN:

As good as food can be.

VIVEK:

Is there a chef here?

By now, they have reached the porch and Raman guides them into a spacious sitting room. There is a bookshelf against one of the walls, stuffed with books. There are two large sofas, into which the children plunge. They throw their bags on the large teapoy before the sofas. There is a world-map on one of the walls. A door leads into the dining room and another into a bedroom. The other two walls have minimum decoration.

Raman continues the thread of conversation.

RAMAN:

No; I am the cook here.

VIVEK:

O!

Manu is examining the bookshelf. Vijay takes a snack packet and a bottle of water out of his bag. Deepa snatches his packet and keeps it away from him.

DEEPA:

There is a time for everything!

VIJAY:

You, brute!

JAYA:

Shut up! Vijay, you can have a cookie if you can show Belarus on this map.

She points towards the map on the wall.

VIJAY (sneeringly):

Is there such a country?

JAYA:

Yep. It’s near Latavia.

By now, Raman has disappeared through the kitchen. Except Manu, the children (some sitting and others standing) are focusing on the map.

MINI:

Latavia? Never heard of such a country.

VIVEK:

A mini-country

Vijay tries hard to locate Belarus on the map. He takes a long scale on the teapoy and starts searching. Suddenly, without lifting his face from the book he has taken from the shelf, Manu speaks up.

MANU:

Look near Russia

Vijay follows his advice and locates Belarus near Russia.

VIJAY:

There it is, your blasted Belarus; (turning to Jaya) Now, hand me my cookie.

DEEPA:

But without Manu you wouldn’t have made it

JAYA:

It’s fine; let him have it.

Jaya gives Vijay a cookie.

VIJAY (while crunching the cookie)

Would you give me another one?

VIVEK:

Sure; but you have to locate another country

MINI:

A cookie for a country

JAYA:

And anyone can join the game. All are welcome.

DEEPA:

And Manu, no more helping with any clues! One has to win on one’s own

MANU:

Leave me out. I want to read this book.

Manu settles in the sofa with the book

JAYA:

Let’s begin the game. You can use the scale to point out the country.

VIJAY:

Name the country, please.

VIVEK:

Austria

MINI:

The one who names cannot participate.

VIVEK:

Fair enough!

Others start looking for Austria. Vijay triumphantly points at a country and shouts.

VIJAY:

Eureka! Austria! Hand over my cookie.  A cookie for my beloved Austria.

He keeps on pointing at a country and jumps up and down.

Deepa gets up and yells at him.

DEEPA:

You international idiot! That’s AU-STRA-LIA, not AUS-TRIA. You have saucer-sized eyes. Can’t you see?

Vijay looks at the map and Australia stares at him. For a second he stands with his mouth agape. Then he speaks.

VIJAY:

But Vivek said ‘Australia’. I remember. You are pulling my leg.

VIVEK:

No. ‘Austria’ was what I said

MINI;

True. And, you know, I know where Austria is.

Mini goes to the map and locates Austria

MINI:

Some of our people have settled there. There they speak German.

DEEPA (laughing)

Ask our Vij to show Poland and he will give you Holland

JAYA:

And he will change Algeria to Nigeria. Mini, here is your biscuit.

MINI:

No,thanks. You give it to Vij.

VIJAY (sulking)

I don’t want your charity, Ma Theresa.

VIVEK:

Take it Vij; be a sport.

Vijay accepts the biscuit.

JAYA:

Now, who can locate Estonia?

MINI:

What Sonia?

JAYA:

ES-TO-NIA

Everyone looks for Estonia on the map except Jaya and Manu

MANU:

Estonia got its independence on 20^th August 1991

 

When everyone fails to locate the country Jaya speaks:

Jaya (to Manu):

If you are such a walking encyclopedia, come and show it.

Manu walks to the map calmly, takes the scale and points at the country.

MANU:

Here it is!

Everyone claps the hand and Jaya gives him a biscuit. As Manu takes it, Shankar in a casual dress enters from outside, followed by Nirma and Nirmal.

SHANKAR:

I see, you young thugs are enjoying your time. Well, well! Very good

Everyone stands and turns to him and greets.

ALL:

Good morning, Shankar uncle

SHANKAR:

Good morning, gang of six. Please move into the dining room. We will have some refreshment. Go, wash your face and hands.

All of them move into the dining room, where there is a large dining table flanked by ten chairs. As the children take their turns at the wash basin, Shankar calls out:

SHANKAR:

Ramettaaaa…

Suddenly a crashing sound is heard from the adjoining kitchen. The children freeze at the washbasin and Shankar moves to the kitchen.

*

EPISODE 12

Exterior: Outside the farm house

About 9.30 a.m.

It’s a bright morning with the sky clear. We see the farmhouse and its arched gate from above. We see the legend, ‘SHANKAR’S RANCH’ on the arch of the gate. As though uninterested, we move away from the gate to the narrow approach road and set out backward towards the main street. We pass stray vehicles and  people on the way, and discover the six children cycling towards the farm. They are all in casual trousers and T-shirts and carry a rucksack /backpack / knapsack. They are gay and are cycling relaxed. Vivek brings up the rear and Jaya holds up the front. We go past them and have a glance at various things on the wayside: flowers, birds, dragonflies, bees, a cat or a dog or a cow here and there, a man or a woman or a child moving on. Then we come back to the rear of the cycling gang and realize that Manu has started singing and the other five are singing in support.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the snatch.

MANU:

On his farm he has a cow

A cow that goes ‘round moo, moo, moo.

OTHERS:

A moo, moo here and a moo, moo there

A moo, moo, moo, moo everywhere.

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a dog

A dog that goes ‘round bow, bow, bow.

OTHERS:

A bow, bow here and a bow, bow there

A bow, bow bow bow every everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeyaa o.

Others repeat the lines.

MANU:

On his farm he has a duck

A duck that goes ‘round quack, quack, quack.

OTHERS:

A quack, quack here and a quack, quack there

A quack, quack, quack, quack everywhere

MANU:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeyaa eeya o.

Others repeat.

MANU:

On his farm he has a chick

A chick that goes ‘round cluck, cluck, cluck.

OTHERS:

A cluck, cluck here and a cluck, cluck there

A cluck, cluck, cluck, cluck everywhere.

Now, everyone including MANU sings:

MANU & OTHERS:

Uncle Shankar, he has a farm

Eeya eeya o!

Cycling the children reach the gate of the farm. The gate is seen closed. All the children at the same time ring their cycle bells. A man in dhoti and T-shirt is seen coming from the farm to the gate. As they see the man, they stop the bells. The man hurriedly opens the gate and lets in the children. They park the cycles in the shade of a huge tree with thick foliage. At the same time we see Nirma and Nirmal rushing towards them.

NIRMA & NIRMAL (raising their arms)

Hi, guys!

The children greet back.

CHILDREN:

Hi, good morning!

Nirma & Nirmal:

A very good morning, guys.

They turn to the middle-aged man.

NIRMAL:

Rametta, get them to the sitting room. We’ll fetch Papa.

RAMAN:

Very well, Dear.

He turns to the children, as Nirma and Nirmal go to fetch Shankar.

RAMAN:

Shall I carry your bags?

VIVEK:

No, Uncle. They aren’t heavy. Jaya, Deepa, Mini, Manu, Vijay … follow us.

He turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

So, your name is Raman, isn’t it, uncle?

RAMAN (guiding them to the farmhouse):

Yes.

JAYA:

How long have you been with this farm?

RAMAN:

Very long

MANU:

Do you live here or …

RAMAN:

Yes, I live here

DEEPA:

And your children?

RAMAN:

I have no children.

MINI:

What about your wife?

RAMAN:

I’ve no wifey.

ViJAY:

And no Wi-Fi?

JAYA & DEEPA (ignoring the remark):

So, you stay here all alone?

RAMAN:

Not when Sir is around.

All laugh.

VIJAY:

How is the food here?

DEEPA:

I knew, it was coming

Again all laugh.

RAMAN:

As good as food can be.

VIVEK:

Is there a chef here?

By now, they have reached the porch and Raman guides them into a spacious sitting room. There is a bookshelf against one of the walls, stuffed with books. There are two large sofas, into which the children plunge. They throw their bags on the large teapoy before the sofas. There is a world-map on one of the walls. A door leads into the dining room and another into a bedroom. The other two walls have minimum decoration.

Raman continues the thread of conversation.

RAMAN:

No; I am the cook here.

VIVEK:

O!

Manu is examining the bookshelf. Vijay takes a snack packet and a bottle of water out of his bag. Deepa snatches his packet and keeps it away from him.

DEEPA:

There is a time for everything!

VIJAY:

You, brute!

JAYA:

Shut up! Vijay, you can have a cookie if you can show Belarus on this map.

She points towards the map on the wall.

VIJAY (sneeringly):

Is there such a country?

JAYA:

Yep. It’s near Latavia.

By now, Raman has disappeared through the kitchen. Except Manu, the children (some sitting and others standing) are focusing on the map.

MINI:

Latavia? Never heard of such a country.

VIVEK:

A mini-country

Vijay tries hard to locate Belarus on the map. He takes a long scale on the teapoy and starts searching. Suddenly, without lifting his face from the book he has taken from the shelf, Manu speaks up.

MANU:

Look near Russia

Vijay follows his advice and locates Belarus near Russia.

VIJAY:

There it is, your blasted Belarus; (turning to Jaya) Now, hand me my cookie.

DEEPA:

But without Manu you wouldn’t have made it

JAYA:

It’s fine; let him have it.

Jaya gives Vijay a cookie.

VIJAY (while crunching the cookie)

Would you give me another one?

VIVEK:

Sure; but you have to locate another country

MINI:

A cookie for a country

JAYA:

And anyone can join the game. All are welcome.

DEEPA:

And Manu, no more helping with any clues! One has to win on one’s own

MANU:

Leave me out. I want to read this book.

Manu settles in the sofa with the book

JAYA:

Let’s begin the game. You can use the scale to point out the country.

VIJAY:

Name the country, please.

VIVEK:

Austria

MINI:

The one who names cannot participate.

VIVEK:

Fair enough!

Others start looking for Austria. Vijay triumphantly points at a country and shouts.

VIJAY:

Eureka! Austria! Hand over my cookie.  A cookie for my beloved Austria.

He keeps on pointing at a country and jumps up and down.

Deepa gets up and yells at him.

DEEPA:

You international idiot! That’s AU-STRA-LIA, not AUS-TRIA. You have saucer-sized eyes. Can’t you see?

Vijay looks at the map and Australia stares at him. For a second he stands with his mouth agape. Then he speaks.

VIJAY:

But Vivek said ‘Australia’. I remember. You are pulling my leg.

VIVEK:

No. ‘Austria’ was what I said

MINI;

True. And, you know, I know where Austria is.

Mini goes to the map and locates Austria

MINI:

Some of our people have settled there. There they speak German.

DEEPA (laughing)

Ask our Vij to show Poland and he will give you Holland

JAYA:

And he will change Algeria to Nigeria. Mini, here is your biscuit.

MINI:

No,thanks. You give it to Vij.

VIJAY (sulking)

I don’t want your charity, Ma Theresa.

VIVEK:

Take it Vij; be a sport.

Vijay accepts the biscuit.

JAYA:

Now, who can locate Estonia?

MINI:

What Sonia?

JAYA:

ES-TO-NIA

Everyone looks for Estonia on the map except Jaya and Manu

MANU:

Estonia got its independence on 20^th August 1991

 

When everyone fails to locate the country Jaya speaks:

Jaya (to Manu):

If you are such a walking encyclopedia, come and show it.

Manu walks to the map calmly, takes the scale and points at the country.

MANU:

Here it is!

Everyone claps the hand and Jaya gives him a biscuit. As Manu takes it, Shankar in a casual dress enters from outside, followed by Nirma and Nirmal.

SHANKAR:

I see, you young thugs are enjoying your time. Well, well! Very good

Everyone stands and turns to him and greets.

ALL:

Good morning, Shankar uncle

SHANKAR:

Good morning, gang of six. Please move into the dining room. We will have some refreshment. Go, wash your face and hands.

All of them move into the dining room, where there is a large dining table flanked by ten chairs. As the children take their turns at the wash basin, Shankar calls out:

SHANKAR:

Ramettaaaa…

Suddenly a crashing sound is heard from the adjoining kitchen. The children freeze at the washbasin and Shankar moves to the kitchen.

*

 EPISODE 13

Interior: The kitchen                                                                   Morning

We are inside the kitchen. The kitchen is well-equipped. There is a separate pantry in the kitchen where wares and items for cooking are stored. Raman is standing and staring at some broken glasses and plates on the floor. Shankar is looking at Raman. On the kitchen ledge we see a large glass jug of orange juice just taken out the fridge. We can see the vapors on the jar.

SHANKAR:

Rametta …

There is no response from Raman; he is dreamily staring at the shards and splinters on the floor.

SHANKAR (raising his voice):

Rametta … where’re you lost?

RAMAN (suddenly waking up)

Eh?

SHNAKAR:

Have you lost it? What happened? Are you hurt?

RAMAN(remorsefully):

No, Master. I was bringing the plates and glasses. Suddenly, I don’t know what happened. I lost my balance and ---

SHANKAR:

I understand. Don’t you worry. Just sweep the broken things away and put them in the trash bin. I’ll get one of those boys to help you out.

As Raman picks up a broom and dust pan, Shankar calls out into the dining room.

SHANAKAR:

Viv, could you step in here for once?

VIVEK (v/O):

Of course,Uncle.

Vivek steps into the kitchen. Raman is depositing the some remains in a bin in a corner and comes back to sweep what remains.

SHANKAR:

Sorry to trouble you, Viv. Would you serve the juice to the kids in there?

Vivek looks at the jug of juice.

VIVEK:

Uncle, first let me get the glasses. Where are the glasses?

SHNAKAR (showing the pantry)

There in the pantry. How many of you are there?

VIVEK (going to the pantry):

There are eight of us, including your kids. So, this is what you call a pantry.

SHANKAR:

The very same. Haven’t you seen the pantry in a train?

VIVEK:

The pantry car! Sure, I have visited one in a train.

RAMAN (busy removing the remains and ditching them into the bin):

We keep our cups, saucers, forks, spoons and other cutleries in there.

Vivek gets the glasses and sets them on a tray. Raman tries to pour the juice from the jar into the glasses. Vivek stops him.

VIVEK (restraining Raman):

Hold on a second, Uncle Rametta…

Raman looks at him questioningly.

VIVEK:

Let’s first set glasses on the dining table.

SHANKAR:

That’s proper. That way, if there’s some mess, we can handle it.

Vivek then calls out into the dining room.

VIVEK:

Jaya, would you please come here for a minute.

Jaya comes into the kitchen, talking on her cell phone:

VIVEK:

Cut the call, Jaya, please and help us.

JAYA:

It’s my mom. She is asking when I will be back.

SHANKAR:

Gimme the phone, girl. I’ll speak to her. You help Vivek and Ramettan.

Jaya gives the phone to Shankar and he, talking on the phone, goes into the balcony adjoining the kitchen.

VIVEK:

I need you to take these glasses to the dining table. Please, place a glass each before everyone. Put them on coasters and ask them to use the napkin on the back of their chairs. Please.

Jaya takes the tray of glasses and disappears into the dining room. Vivek turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

Rametta, you stay here. Gimme the jar. I’ll serve them. If we want anything we’ll call out. Is it okay?

RAMAN:

Very much Okay, my boy! You’re a good egg. God bless you!

VIVEK (smiling and delicately picking up the juice-jar):

Because I’m a good egg, don’t you try to turn me into an omelet.

RAMAN (suddenly laughing)

Never in my life, kiddo

Vijay with the jar goes into the dining room.                                  

The dining room.                                                             The kids are sitting round the table with napkins tied around their necks. Manu has the book with him; Deepa has her earphones on; Vijay is staring at an empty packet; Mini is just looking at the scene around. Nirma and Nirmal are engaged in playing a game on their phones. Jaya has almost finished placing glasses on the coasters before everyone.

VIVEK:

Attention, everybody! Keep your things off and enjoy a glass of cool orange juice! No multi-tasking! Just one thing at a time! When you drink, just drink. Taste every drop, like it is the last drop.

DEEPA (laying away her earphones):

Stop your sermon and serve the juice

VIJAY:

He is always playing leader.

MANU (keeping his book aside):

Let him. History shows that all leaders eventually bite dust.

MINI:

What do you mean?

Nirma & NIRMAL (keeping their phones away):

That history won’t be kind to Vivek.

JAYA (finishing her task):

Come back from history and be here and now, will ya?

And Jaya takes her seat at the table. Vivek starts serving. First, he fills Vijay’s glass. As soon as it gets filled, Vijay starts drinking. Deepa stops him.

DEEPA (reproachfully):

Wait, you, lout! Let him fill everyone’s glass. Why this tearing hurry?

Vijay keeps the glass down and wipes its brim. Vivek fills all the glasses and seats himself down.

JAYA (raising her glass):

Now, the toast

MANU:

To whom or what?

VIVEK (raising his glass):

To our Ramettan! And all of you keep your hands off the table

VIJAY:

Now, can we have the juice?

ALL TOGRTHER:

To our Ramettan Uncle!

MANU:

Before we down it, a small prayer

Manu closes his eyes and recites a song:

MANU:

A jar of juice                                                   Poured into my glass.                                           Before I drink                                                      For a minute I think. (repeat)                                            Ramettan our Uncle                                                Long live our uncle(repeat)

OTHERS:

Amen!

As they finish drinking, Shankar enters the dining room and gives back the phone to Jaya. Raman also comes to collect the empty vessels and the tray. Vijay and Jaya help him.

SHANKAR:

None of you have to worry about getting back home. I’ve told Jaya’s mom to inform everybody that I’ll get you back home safely, however late. It’s my responsibility. Okay?

CHILDREN:

Okay, Uncle. Thank you so much.

SHANKAR:

Now that you’re refreshed, I want you to go round the farm and see all that you wanted to see. But, for that I’ve devised a game

ALL:

A game?

SHANKAR:

Precisely! I’ve hidden a trophy in the farm, and to find it I’ve scattered some clues all over the farm.

The children make excited sounds and get up from their places.

ALL:

Clues?

SHANKAR:

Yes. Whoever finds the trophy, will also get another reward from me.

VIVEK:

When you say farm, isn’t it too big?

SHANKAR:

You just have to wander around the house. No need to go very far.

JAYA:

As far as the fish pond?

MINI:

The meadow where the cows graze?

RAMAN:

No need to be so bothered. I’ll come with you

DEEPA:

Thank you, Rametta. If I find the trophy, I’ll take a selfie with you.

MINI:

And we’ll post it on instagram

RAMAN:

If I find the trophy, then?

VIVEK:

Still, we’ll post your pic and give a reward from our side.

SHANKAR:

The first clue is here in the dining room. Whoever gets it can proceed. Other clues are outside the cottage. In the open air. Your time starts now.

The children start searching frantically for the clue in the dining room. Manu takes his book and shakes it. A piece of folded paper falls from it. Manu takes it and reads the writing on it. We see the writing:

The WRITING:

‘In the shade of the tamarind tree’

A soon as he reads it, he bolts out of the room to the open grounds. Vijay calls after him.

VIJAY:

Where are you running off to, like a nut?

SHANKAR:

He got his clue. There is one more clue in the room. Try. All the best, Kiddos! Good Luck!

CHILDREN (looking for clues here and there):

Thanks, Uncle!

SHANKAR:

See, Manu has got a head start. I think he is going to beat you at it.

VIJAY (Searching under the bookshelf):

Manu? That egghead? Let’s see.

Suddenly Vijay finds a piece of cardboard under the shelf. He examines it and gets excited. Without a word, he darts out of the room. Others look at him in surprise. Shankar chuckles.

DEEPA:

Even that dunderhead got a clue

MINI (to Shankar):

Is there any more clue in this room?

SHANKAR:

No more. Now the clues are all in the open. Try your luck. Luck favors those who try. Rametta, help these kids, if you please.

Shankar chuckles and goes back into the kitchen. Raman and children go out. We see Vijay much ahead of them, darting towards a tree. As he rushes, he trips on a boulder and falls flat on the ground. Deepa rushes to him and snatches his paper and reads it. She runs towards the tree with all her might. Other children too run after her without minding Vijay. Only Vivek and Jaya stop at Vijay to see whether he is hurt.

*EPISODE 13

Interior: The kitchen                                                                   Morning

We are inside the kitchen. The kitchen is well-equipped. There is a separate pantry in the kitchen where wares and items for cooking are stored. Raman is standing and staring at some broken glasses and plates on the floor. Shankar is looking at Raman. On the kitchen ledge we see a large glass jug of orange juice just taken out the fridge. We can see the vapors on the jar.

SHANKAR:

Rametta …

There is no response from Raman; he is dreamily staring at the shards and splinters on the floor.

SHANKAR (raising his voice):

Rametta … where’re you lost?

RAMAN (suddenly waking up)

Eh?

SHNAKAR:

Have you lost it? What happened? Are you hurt?

RAMAN(remorsefully):

No, Master. I was bringing the plates and glasses. Suddenly, I don’t know what happened. I lost my balance and ---

SHANKAR:

I understand. Don’t you worry. Just sweep the broken things away and put them in the trash bin. I’ll get one of those boys to help you out.

As Raman picks up a broom and dust pan, Shankar calls out into the dining room.

SHANAKAR:

Viv, could you step in here for once?

VIVEK (v/O):

Of course,Uncle.

Vivek steps into the kitchen. Raman is depositing the some remains in a bin in a corner and comes back to sweep what remains.

SHANKAR:

Sorry to trouble you, Viv. Would you serve the juice to the kids in there?

Vivek looks at the jug of juice.

VIVEK:

Uncle, first let me get the glasses. Where are the glasses?

SHNAKAR (showing the pantry)

There in the pantry. How many of you are there?

VIVEK (going to the pantry):

There are eight of us, including your kids. So, this is what you call a pantry.

SHANKAR:

The very same. Haven’t you seen the pantry in a train?

VIVEK:

The pantry car! Sure, I have visited one in a train.

RAMAN (busy removing the remains and ditching them into the bin):

We keep our cups, saucers, forks, spoons and other cutleries in there.

Vivek gets the glasses and sets them on a tray. Raman tries to pour the juice from the jar into the glasses. Vivek stops him.

VIVEK (restraining Raman):

Hold on a second, Uncle Rametta…

Raman looks at him questioningly.

VIVEK:

Let’s first set glasses on the dining table.

SHANKAR:

That’s proper. That way, if there’s some mess, we can handle it.

Vivek then calls out into the dining room.

VIVEK:

Jaya, would you please come here for a minute.

Jaya comes into the kitchen, talking on her cell phone:

VIVEK:

Cut the call, Jaya, please and help us.

JAYA:

It’s my mom. She is asking when I will be back.

SHANKAR:

Gimme the phone, girl. I’ll speak to her. You help Vivek and Ramettan.

Jaya gives the phone to Shankar and he, talking on the phone, goes into the balcony adjoining the kitchen.

VIVEK:

I need you to take these glasses to the dining table. Please, place a glass each before everyone. Put them on coasters and ask them to use the napkin on the back of their chairs. Please.

Jaya takes the tray of glasses and disappears into the dining room. Vivek turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

Rametta, you stay here. Gimme the jar. I’ll serve them. If we want anything we’ll call out. Is it okay?

RAMAN:

Very much Okay, my boy! You’re a good egg. God bless you!

VIVEK (smiling and delicately picking up the juice-jar):

Because I’m a good egg, don’t you try to turn me into an omelet.

RAMAN (suddenly laughing)

Never in my life, kiddo

Vijay with the jar goes into the dining room.                                  

The dining room.                                                             The kids are sitting round the table with napkins tied around their necks. Manu has the book with him; Deepa has her earphones on; Vijay is staring at an empty packet; Mini is just looking at the scene around. Nirma and Nirmal are engaged in playing a game on their phones. Jaya has almost finished placing glasses on the coasters before everyone.

VIVEK:

Attention, everybody! Keep your things off and enjoy a glass of cool orange juice! No multi-tasking! Just one thing at a time! When you drink, just drink. Taste every drop, like it is the last drop.

DEEPA (laying away her earphones):

Stop your sermon and serve the juice

VIJAY:

He is always playing leader.

MANU (keeping his book aside):

Let him. History shows that all leaders eventually bite dust.

MINI:

What do you mean?

Nirma & NIRMAL (keeping their phones away):

That history won’t be kind to Vivek.

JAYA (finishing her task):

Come back from history and be here and now, will ya?

And Jaya takes her seat at the table. Vivek starts serving. First, he fills Vijay’s glass. As soon as it gets filled, Vijay starts drinking. Deepa stops him.

DEEPA (reproachfully):

Wait, you, lout! Let him fill everyone’s glass. Why this tearing hurry?

Vijay keeps the glass down and wipes its brim. Vivek fills all the glasses and seats himself down.

JAYA (raising her glass):

Now, the toast

MANU:

To whom or what?

VIVEK (raising his glass):

To our Ramettan! And all of you keep your hands off the table

VIJAY:

Now, can we have the juice?

ALL TOGRTHER:

To our Ramettan Uncle!

MANU:

Before we down it, a small prayer

Manu closes his eyes and recites a song:

MANU:

A jar of juice                                                   Poured into my glass.                                           Before I drink                                                      For a minute I think. (repeat)                                            Ramettan our Uncle                                                Long live our uncle(repeat)

OTHERS:

Amen!

As they finish drinking, Shankar enters the dining room and gives back the phone to Jaya. Raman also comes to collect the empty vessels and the tray. Vijay and Jaya help him.

SHANKAR:

None of you have to worry about getting back home. I’ve told Jaya’s mom to inform everybody that I’ll get you back home safely, however late. It’s my responsibility. Okay?

CHILDREN:

Okay, Uncle. Thank you so much.

SHANKAR:

Now that you’re refreshed, I want you to go round the farm and see all that you wanted to see. But, for that I’ve devised a game

ALL:

A game?

SHANKAR:

Precisely! I’ve hidden a trophy in the farm, and to find it I’ve scattered some clues all over the farm.

The children make excited sounds and get up from their places.

ALL:

Clues?

SHANKAR:

Yes. Whoever finds the trophy, will also get another reward from me.

VIVEK:

When you say farm, isn’t it too big?

SHANKAR:

You just have to wander around the house. No need to go very far.

JAYA:

As far as the fish pond?

MINI:

The meadow where the cows graze?

RAMAN:

No need to be so bothered. I’ll come with you

DEEPA:

Thank you, Rametta. If I find the trophy, I’ll take a selfie with you.

MINI:

And we’ll post it on instagram

RAMAN:

If I find the trophy, then?

VIVEK:

Still, we’ll post your pic and give a reward from our side.

SHANKAR:

The first clue is here in the dining room. Whoever gets it can proceed. Other clues are outside the cottage. In the open air. Your time starts now.

The children start searching frantically for the clue in the dining room. Manu takes his book and shakes it. A piece of folded paper falls from it. Manu takes it and reads the writing on it. We see the writing:

The WRITING:

‘In the shade of the tamarind tree’

A soon as he reads it, he bolts out of the room to the open grounds. Vijay calls after him.

VIJAY:

Where are you running off to, like a nut?

SHANKAR:

He got his clue. There is one more clue in the room. Try. All the best, Kiddos! Good Luck!

CHILDREN (looking for clues here and there):

Thanks, Uncle!

SHANKAR:

See, Manu has got a head start. I think he is going to beat you at it.

VIJAY (Searching under the bookshelf):

Manu? That egghead? Let’s see.

Suddenly Vijay finds a piece of cardboard under the shelf. He examines it and gets excited. Without a word, he darts out of the room. Others look at him in surprise. Shankar chuckles.

DEEPA:

Even that dunderhead got a clue

MINI (to Shankar):

Is there any more clue in this room?

SHANKAR:

No more. Now the clues are all in the open. Try your luck. Luck favors those who try. Rametta, help these kids, if you please.

Shankar chuckles and goes back into the kitchen. Raman and children go out. We see Vijay much ahead of them, darting towards a tree. As he rushes, he trips on a boulder and falls flat on the ground. Deepa rushes to him and snatches his paper and reads it. She runs towards the tree with all her might. Other children too run after her without minding Vijay. Only Vivek and Jaya stop at Vijay to see whether he is hurt.

*EPISODE 13

Interior: The kitchen                                                                   Morning

We are inside the kitchen. The kitchen is well-equipped. There is a separate pantry in the kitchen where wares and items for cooking are stored. Raman is standing and staring at some broken glasses and plates on the floor. Shankar is looking at Raman. On the kitchen ledge we see a large glass jug of orange juice just taken out the fridge. We can see the vapors on the jar.

SHANKAR:

Rametta …

There is no response from Raman; he is dreamily staring at the shards and splinters on the floor.

SHANKAR (raising his voice):

Rametta … where’re you lost?

RAMAN (suddenly waking up)

Eh?

SHNAKAR:

Have you lost it? What happened? Are you hurt?

RAMAN(remorsefully):

No, Master. I was bringing the plates and glasses. Suddenly, I don’t know what happened. I lost my balance and ---

SHANKAR:

I understand. Don’t you worry. Just sweep the broken things away and put them in the trash bin. I’ll get one of those boys to help you out.

As Raman picks up a broom and dust pan, Shankar calls out into the dining room.

SHANAKAR:

Viv, could you step in here for once?

VIVEK (v/O):

Of course,Uncle.

Vivek steps into the kitchen. Raman is depositing the some remains in a bin in a corner and comes back to sweep what remains.

SHANKAR:

Sorry to trouble you, Viv. Would you serve the juice to the kids in there?

Vivek looks at the jug of juice.

VIVEK:

Uncle, first let me get the glasses. Where are the glasses?

SHNAKAR (showing the pantry)

There in the pantry. How many of you are there?

VIVEK (going to the pantry):

There are eight of us, including your kids. So, this is what you call a pantry.

SHANKAR:

The very same. Haven’t you seen the pantry in a train?

VIVEK:

The pantry car! Sure, I have visited one in a train.

RAMAN (busy removing the remains and ditching them into the bin):

We keep our cups, saucers, forks, spoons and other cutleries in there.

Vivek gets the glasses and sets them on a tray. Raman tries to pour the juice from the jar into the glasses. Vivek stops him.

VIVEK (restraining Raman):

Hold on a second, Uncle Rametta…

Raman looks at him questioningly.

VIVEK:

Let’s first set glasses on the dining table.

SHANKAR:

That’s proper. That way, if there’s some mess, we can handle it.

Vivek then calls out into the dining room.

VIVEK:

Jaya, would you please come here for a minute.

Jaya comes into the kitchen, talking on her cell phone:

VIVEK:

Cut the call, Jaya, please and help us.

JAYA:

It’s my mom. She is asking when I will be back.

SHANKAR:

Gimme the phone, girl. I’ll speak to her. You help Vivek and Ramettan.

Jaya gives the phone to Shankar and he, talking on the phone, goes into the balcony adjoining the kitchen.

VIVEK:

I need you to take these glasses to the dining table. Please, place a glass each before everyone. Put them on coasters and ask them to use the napkin on the back of their chairs. Please.

Jaya takes the tray of glasses and disappears into the dining room. Vivek turns to Raman.

VIVEK:

Rametta, you stay here. Gimme the jar. I’ll serve them. If we want anything we’ll call out. Is it okay?

RAMAN:

Very much Okay, my boy! You’re a good egg. God bless you!

VIVEK (smiling and delicately picking up the juice-jar):

Because I’m a good egg, don’t you try to turn me into an omelet.

RAMAN (suddenly laughing)

Never in my life, kiddo

Vijay with the jar goes into the dining room.                                  

The dining room.                                                             The kids are sitting round the table with napkins tied around their necks. Manu has the book with him; Deepa has her earphones on; Vijay is staring at an empty packet; Mini is just looking at the scene around. Nirma and Nirmal are engaged in playing a game on their phones. Jaya has almost finished placing glasses on the coasters before everyone.

VIVEK:

Attention, everybody! Keep your things off and enjoy a glass of cool orange juice! No multi-tasking! Just one thing at a time! When you drink, just drink. Taste every drop, like it is the last drop.

DEEPA (laying away her earphones):

Stop your sermon and serve the juice

VIJAY:

He is always playing leader.

MANU (keeping his book aside):

Let him. History shows that all leaders eventually bite dust.

MINI:

What do you mean?

Nirma & NIRMAL (keeping their phones away):

That history won’t be kind to Vivek.

JAYA (finishing her task):

Come back from history and be here and now, will ya?

And Jaya takes her seat at the table. Vivek starts serving. First, he fills Vijay’s glass. As soon as it gets filled, Vijay starts drinking. Deepa stops him.

DEEPA (reproachfully):

Wait, you, lout! Let him fill everyone’s glass. Why this tearing hurry?

Vijay keeps the glass down and wipes its brim. Vivek fills all the glasses and seats himself down.

JAYA (raising her glass):

Now, the toast

MANU:

To whom or what?

VIVEK (raising his glass):

To our Ramettan! And all of you keep your hands off the table

VIJAY:

Now, can we have the juice?

ALL TOGRTHER:

To our Ramettan Uncle!

MANU:

Before we down it, a small prayer

Manu closes his eyes and recites a song:

MANU:

A jar of juice                                                   Poured into my glass.                                           Before I drink                                                      For a minute I think. (repeat)                                            Ramettan our Uncle                                                Long live our uncle(repeat)

OTHERS:

Amen!

As they finish drinking, Shankar enters the dining room and gives back the phone to Jaya. Raman also comes to collect the empty vessels and the tray. Vijay and Jaya help him.

SHANKAR:

None of you have to worry about getting back home. I’ve told Jaya’s mom to inform everybody that I’ll get you back home safely, however late. It’s my responsibility. Okay?

CHILDREN:

Okay, Uncle. Thank you so much.

SHANKAR:

Now that you’re refreshed, I want you to go round the farm and see all that you wanted to see. But, for that I’ve devised a game

ALL:

A game?

SHANKAR:

Precisely! I’ve hidden a trophy in the farm, and to find it I’ve scattered some clues all over the farm.

The children make excited sounds and get up from their places.

ALL:

Clues?

SHANKAR:

Yes. Whoever finds the trophy, will also get another reward from me.

VIVEK:

When you say farm, isn’t it too big?

SHANKAR:

You just have to wander around the house. No need to go very far.

JAYA:

As far as the fish pond?

MINI:

The meadow where the cows graze?

RAMAN:

No need to be so bothered. I’ll come with you

DEEPA:

Thank you, Rametta. If I find the trophy, I’ll take a selfie with you.

MINI:

And we’ll post it on instagram

RAMAN:

If I find the trophy, then?

VIVEK:

Still, we’ll post your pic and give a reward from our side.

SHANKAR:

The first clue is here in the dining room. Whoever gets it can proceed. Other clues are outside the cottage. In the open air. Your time starts now.

The children start searching frantically for the clue in the dining room. Manu takes his book and shakes it. A piece of folded paper falls from it. Manu takes it and reads the writing on it. We see the writing:

The WRITING:

‘In the shade of the tamarind tree’

A soon as he reads it, he bolts out of the room to the open grounds. Vijay calls after him.

VIJAY:

Where are you running off to, like a nut?

SHANKAR:

He got his clue. There is one more clue in the room. Try. All the best, Kiddos! Good Luck!

CHILDREN (looking for clues here and there):

Thanks, Uncle!

SHANKAR:

See, Manu has got a head start. I think he is going to beat you at it.

VIJAY (Searching under the bookshelf):

Manu? That egghead? Let’s see.

Suddenly Vijay finds a piece of cardboard under the shelf. He examines it and gets excited. Without a word, he darts out of the room. Others look at him in surprise. Shankar chuckles.

DEEPA:

Even that dunderhead got a clue

MINI (to Shankar):

Is there any more clue in this room?

SHANKAR:

No more. Now the clues are all in the open. Try your luck. Luck favors those who try. Rametta, help these kids, if you please.

Shankar chuckles and goes back into the kitchen. Raman and children go out. We see Vijay much ahead of them, darting towards a tree. As he rushes, he trips on a boulder and falls flat on the ground. Deepa rushes to him and snatches his paper and reads it. She runs towards the tree with all her might. Other children too run after her without minding Vijay. Only Vivek and Jaya stop at Vijay to see whether he is hurt.

*