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| The denizens of Pongamia Pond. (Art by Mrs Prema Ramakrishnan) |
A Place to Live
Down and away in the garden glen
Away from the eyes and ears of men.
Amidst a growth of shrubbery green,
Unknown, unheard of, unsung, unseen -
Bound by laws of having to give -
Yes, we have found a place to live!
We, insects, worms, beetles and bugs,
Centipedes, earthworms, crickets and slugs
Work tirelessly below the ground,
Confined to darkness, forever bound!
Burrowing in holes beneath the soil,
Building tunnels and bridges, work of toil,
Fighting our battles for food and space,
To ensure the survival of our kind and race!
We bring up families, live and die,
We come and we go without as much as a sigh.
Working every moment without a murmur or fuss,
Is mankind aware of the likes of us?
We are so tiny, unknown, insignificant,
But in a way, essential for the life of the planet,
For each one has a role to play in the story,
Each one of us shall remain a part of its glory!
Pongamia Pond was a very pretty place. It lay at the edge of a once thriving garden. Actually, it derived its name from the many Pongamia trees that skirted the place, growing all along the compound wall, hiding it completely from view from the street.
“To rest under the Pongamia was akin to sleeping or resting on one’s mother’s lap.” So went a saying in South India.
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| The beautiful Pongamia with its blossoms |
And oh! Yes, when Jayaram Iyer had been a young man and had built the sprawling house back in the sixties on the outskirts of Bangalore city and laid out the garden, this space at the back of the house, with the pond right in the middle of it had been as pretty as a picture. There were fruiting and flowering trees and shrubs aplenty with enough gardeners working round the clock to keep it that way. Not a weed was allowed to grow or raise its head.
Visitors loved to drop in for a meal or relax during the week-end and oh! Yes, the Jayarams were great hosts! The visitors were first taken on a tour of the house and garden. Sometimes, in the hot summer months picnics were planned under the cool shade of the many, sheltering trees that abounded in the garden.
There was an endless supply of flowers for the morning puja for the lady of the house as well as vegetables aplenty for the kitchen. Fruits of the season, as well, for the cook would never know who would turn up for lunch or dinner! And, oh! Those were the days to remember and cherish!
With the passage of time the master and the mistress did not have the time or the energy to supervise or run the huge household, let alone the garden. The gardeners left one by one looking for other jobs in the city. The garden in front of the house, though, received all the attention and the area around Pongamia Pond left to its own devices, went to seed.
But no matter, it became a happy hunting-ground for the many garden creatures, birds and insects. So long as the rains arrived on time, the inhabitants went about joyously building their nests and bringing forth their young. Food and water was in plenty anyway and places too, to build their homes.
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| Pongamia Pond - a heaven on earth for the little ones |
Big Eye, the bull-frog thrived here like all the others. He lived under the jackfruit tree in a little hole, under the ledge of a rock. Above his house just by the pond, stood a pretty ixora bush full of green leaves and flaming red, ball-like flowers. Everywhere he turned his little head, he could see nothing but flowers and stretches of greenery from one end of the garden to the other.
All around the pond which sat like a green jewel, were moss-covered stones. Exotic flowers bloomed around it - red, white, purple and pink - girdling it like a necklace! Orchids hung from the treetops brought by the master from foreign gardens on his many visits to other countries. What a profusion of flowers and grasses and shrubs! Bangalore had the most ideal climate for growing such a profusion of trees and plants. With so much rain brought in by the north east and south west monsoons and just enough sun and of course the perfect soil, whatever one planted simply took root, grew and multiplied!
But happy times don’t last. The last three years had seen the worst drought in living memory. Not a drop of rain had fallen! Pongamia Pond had dried up completely. Not a flower appeared on the many, hardy bushes that still stood out. Only the very big trees survived and cast their benign shadow on stretches of the garden.
Big Eye shook his head, dazed at the summer heat that radiated all around him. What a dismal scene! Birds dropped dead, unable to bear the heat or for lack of water. Insects and little creatures disappeared, too. Only the very tough ones survived. Even Big Eye, who was old and could manage with the barest minimum of food, found it difficult now. Food, which had been in abundance, had become so scarce that he had to forage for hours to get a bite of something to eat. Would he survive this season if there was no rain? Impossible, he told himself, shaking his head, all over again at the desperate situation.
He heaved a deep sigh, a sad one, his little heart heavy and wondering what could be done. Of course, he knew the cause of all this havoc. He was up-to-date with all the news. The newspapers were full of them. Global warming and climate change made front page news these days. Magazines also said the same thing. Environmentalists and scientists had been warning the world for decades that if mankind did not mend its living ways then the planet itself was in danger of disappearing! Man alone was the culprit and had brought it all on. All the cutting down of forests to build homes, farms and factories was simply depleting the green forest cover. The carbon emission from cars, planes and industries was polluting the air. The earth was hotting up. Even the oceans were not spared. Oil spills were choking the waters killing aquatic life. The insecticides and pesticides sprayed on trees and crops were killing birds and insects! Sheer genocide!
“Are we to pay for man’s greed and lack of vision?” asked Big Eye. He picked a dry leaf fallen nearby and fanned himself furiously. Here was a desert where a garden had been!
The flapping of wings caught his attention. He looked up at the jack-fruit tree above and caught sight of Moping Mynah alighting on the lowest branch and then flying down to perch on a small stone opposite Big Eye. Moping lived at the other edge of the garden on a mango tree. Moping Mynah was not much of a company. He was sad, unhappy or cross - angry at the world and finding fault with everything. His appearance cast a damper on any gathering. But Big Eye was cheerful, glad to see anybody - even Moping.
“Hullo!” he called out in as cheerful a voice as he could, for he himself was not in a very happy state of mind – what with the garden in that drought condition.
“Big Eye!” called out Moping Mynah, “I flew in to have a word with you. There is a crisis brewing in my house. My wife insists we leave Pongamia Place right away. But I don’t want to - not just yet. With the drought on, all of us are in a tight spot. What do you say?”
Big Eye said, “If you ask me we shouldn’t be in such a hurry to leave. After all, we have lived so long here and so happily too. What guarantee that the new place is going to be any better?
Moping Mynah nodded. “Yes, but my wife is very impatient. She wants to leave now.”
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| Moping Mynah was convinced that it was time to move on... |
Big Eye said, “Look! I have a hunch it will rain in a day or two - then everything will change dramatically! Until then we have to wait, watch and pray!”
Moping Mynah shook his head. This frog was too patient. He said, “That’s what you said last time. It's been three years since it rained. My wife’s sister came the other day from the next village. She says they are better off.”
Big Eye said “Maybe, then you should try your luck and go there. You are a bird - you can simply fly off. As for me, I have to cover every inch of ground and at my age, it can be very trying. I can’t think of a better place than Pongamia Place.”
Moping Mynah had not finished. He said,
“Big Eye, you are a bachelor. I am a family man. My wife insists we leave. She is desperate. I really don’t know what to do!”
At this moment, they had two friends join them. Two happy-go-lucky squirrels who lived on the jackfruit tree above but had gone to visit friends nearby. They arrived on the scene, breathless and panting. Shriek and Squeak called out happily together “Hullo, Big Eye!” and settled themselves nicely on a stone slope nearby.
“Hullo, Moping!” They called out to the bird, too.
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| Shriek and Squeak always had an energy about them that kept them bounding... |
Big Eye was happy to see them, but the bird didn’t like being interrupted in the midst of the dialogue. Lazy Lizard who had been half-dozing draped on the branch of the tree above, looked down and watched the scene below. He could see and hear everything. Then why leave the comfy perch, he thought and hung on. Slender Spider, busy inside her web, now slid down and joined the crowd. Everybody took their places around Big Eye.
Slender Spider said “Big Eye, I don’t want to sound gloomy, but tell me what happened to all the insects around Pongamia Place? I can’t see any! I am starving!”
Lazy Lizard called out from above. “Indeed Big Eye, even I would like to know!”
Before the frog could reply, Bright Butterfly came flying like the breeze and settled down on a nearby pebble. She was so pretty and so young.
“Are you having a party?” she asked.
Moping growled “Hardly. Can’t you see how upset we all are at the heat and drought? I came to ask Big Eye whether to move house. Party indeed!”
Bright was unfazed.
“Oh! Dear! That was thoughtless of me! Big Eye, my mother also wanted to know why there are no flowers in the garden. Has such a thing ever happened before?”
Big Eye said, “Bright, tell your mother that the rains are playing truant year after year. No rain, no greenery, no flowers, no insects, no nothing! But who knows, if it rains things will change overnight. That’s my hope!”
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| Bright butterfly came to flutter by before going on her way. |
Bright Butterfly flew off happily in the direction of her home. The others who had heard Big Eye were silent, reflecting upon what Big Eye had said.
Squeak said softly, “Haven’t we taken things for granted for too long?”
Big Eye said, “Yes, we have a habit of taking the good things for granted. The rain, the sun, the very air we breathe - even the space which we need for our survival.”
Shriek asked quickly, “Big Eye, why space? Do you know something we don’t?”
Big Eye said sadly,
“Actually, space too is becoming a big problem now with human beings taking over all our territory. They are on a building spree. Who knows, how long we will be lucky to be living in Pongamia Place?”
“Are they going to sell this place, do you think?” asked all the little creatures gathered there in alarm and in one breath.
“Oh dear!” cried Lazy Lizard, swishing his tail in panic, “That would be so unfair”
Big Eye said “Who knows? Look at all the spacious, farm houses being sold to build high rise buildings. Has anyone in Bangalore seen such vertical growth? Once upon a time everyone had nice tiny, snug houses with big gardens. Now all those houses have vanished!”
Moping Mynah said “Why, if they sell this place it will be the last straw! Whatever will we do? I thought this place belonged to us. We have lived here for so long!”
Big Eye said sadly, “Nothing belongs to anybody, Moping.”
“We need a place to live!” cried all of them looking hopefully at Big Eye.
Big Eye said, “Yes, we need a place to live just as human beings do. But that is being snatched from under our very noses. We are so small and helpless. We don’t count in their scheme of things. But Mother Nature is not like that. She might try and protect us, somehow. It is she who provides us rain, sun, air and space. She alone knows that all life on earth is inter-connected. There is no such thing as big or small in Nature’s scheme of things. All of us have a job to do, too. When we do that the Universe will go like clockwork!”
Another flap of wings and Crafty Crow came to join them. Everybody liked Crafty, as he was full of news. As he too took his place, everyone brightened.
“Hullo, everybody!” he called out cheerfully. “Looks like I flew into a conference!”
Big Eye was very happy to see Crafty. “Hullo, Crafty! We were discussing things. The drought is causing havoc and Pongamia Pond doesn’t have a drop of water. Moping wants to leave the place.”
He stopped and asked “Are you coming from the big house Crafty?”
“Yes, whatever happens at the big house affects all of us, that’s for sure!” cried Shriek.
“Sure!” said Crafty “I can sense the anxiety in the air - it is so palpable!”
Big Eye said “Global warming and climate change is worrying humans as much as us. We are wondering why it is not raining.”
Crafty said, “Talking about rain, Big Eye, I heard it on television today. The Met department has predicted rain tonight.”
“What?” Big Eye jumped in joy. So did all the others.
Crafty hadn’t finished. “We have visitors at the big house!”, he announced happily.
Shriek cried “Friends! Maybe.”
“Relatives!” called out Slender.
“Estate agents!” I am sure!” said Moping.
Big Eye was the last to guess. He was silent for a while. Then he said quietly “I got it! It’s the two kids. They must have come from Mumbai to spend their summer vacation with the grandparents.”
“You are right, Big Eye, the kids are on holiday. They arrived this morning. The house is agog with excitement.”
“When the kids come everyone is happy, including us garden creatures!” said Shriek.
Moping added his bit. “Those kids live in the city. What do they know about us?”
Big Eye corrected him at once. “No, Moping they are born naturalists - the two precocious kids. Our habitat is safe as long as they come here for vacation year after year.”
Slender asked a little out of breath. “If they stopped coming are we going to have a problem?” Big Eye nodded.
“Yes, nobody knows what will happen to Pongamia Pond or its environs in a few years from now. The children love to play in the garden as they live in an apartment complex in Mumbai.”
“Will they not find it shocking to see the present state of the garden?” asked Moping. “What with all the greenery gone?”
“Oh! Yes, and they have seen it disappearing slowly the last two years but nothing as dismal as now.”
“If it rains, things will change, folks” said Big Eye to brighten them all up. “But, remember, when the kids come into the garden we will all gather together to give them a great welcome!”
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| Big Eye had a big plan brewing in his heart and he hoped for help from the Gods. |
“We’ll do that!” cried all of them together, except Moping who was scowling hugely. Then, all of a sudden he flew off in a hurry, as if he remembered something.
Lazy Lizard yawned feeling a little sleepy. Slender too slid into her web hoping to find some food. The gathering thus broke up, but only partly, because Shriek and Squeak continued to sit. Crafty was about to fly back when Big Eye said softly to him.
“Hey! Wait a minute, Crafty. I have this little idea. Shriek and Squeak, you both are in it, too. I have a plan!”
Crafty perked up. So did the alert squirrels.
“What’s that, Big Eye?” the trio asked all ears. The three loved action.
Slender, hearing them called out,
“Big Eye, do you have a survival plan for us? I am sure you do!” She began dancing inside her lovely web. Lazy too looked down from the treetop, all ears.
Big Eye said, “Crafty, I got this idea when you mentioned that the kids had arrived. Since they love pottering around the garden, we’ll give them an idea to work on!”
Moping who had heard Big Eye had got back and was all ears too.
“An idea?” He asked glumly, “How on earth are you going to give them an idea?”
Slender was very annoyed with the mynah. This fellow was sure to throw a damper on all their plans.
“Keep quiet, will you?” she said sharply.
The mynah kept mum. Big Eye didn’t mind or pay any attention to Moping Mynah. He was ready to share his idea with his good friends. They had to somehow save themselves.
Big Eye felt great. He said,
“Look, friends, today the whole world and not we alone are in the act of saving the planet. Even man needs a place to live like we do. I told you, global warming is beginning to happen so fast that it is giving everybody a scare. The coming decade is all we have to save ourselves. Glaciers are melting, oceans are rising, even as drought conditions are spreading. Some places are hotting up, some going under water. What a paradox! Look at all the natural calamities around us, earth quakes, forest fires, tsunamis- pollution galore on earth, air, sky and water. Creatures are disappearing-how did they go?”
“Is it as bad as that?” asked Crafty thoughtfully.
“Indeed, yes.” said Big Eye quietly, “So what I am suggesting may sound selfish for I have a plan only for us. That is about all. A small step, but it might help the planet in a small way to preserve the ecosystem.”
Crafty, Shriek and Squeak waited for the plan to unravel.
Big Eye continued,
“I read this article in a magazine – an excerpt from a newly published book. The subject matter was so good that it made me sit up and take notice. It concerns all of us - small creatures. The book is about a wild-life garden, a home for all of us. Our very survival is of utmost importance if the planet has to be saved! Can you believe it? We garden creatures have a very important role to play if the planet has to right itself. The wildlife gardens should be the gardens of the future if the planet has to be saved. Now is this not fascinating, friends?”
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| Squeaky kissed Big Eye in delight! |
“Hurrah!” cried the two squirrels jumping up in sheer joy.
Crafty was thrilled, too. He said, “I didn’t even dream we mattered, you know.”
Big Eye hadn’t finished. He said,“The author adds that in advanced countries people are saying that one should not be bothered about having pretty gardens as much as producing a perfect habitat for garden creatures. They think a garden is not created by man but by Nature, where every tree, plant, bush, bird, creature or insect can grow, sustain and multiply itself. The forests provided such happy spaces in the past but they are being cut down so fast now. So the thing to do is to undo all that. With every forest that is cut down to build houses or farms for humans, a whole species of birds, plants and vegetation is gone! Insecticides and pesticides finish the rest. Environmentalists argue that if small insects like bees and butterflies disappear, how can there be greenery? If the greenery goes, the planet goes!
Slender shuddered. “Oh! Dear, no! But, Big Eye, you have a plan to save us. How clever you are!”
Big Eye said modestly “It’s not my idea. Everybody knows it!”
Crafty said. “Big Eye, you want the kids to lay out a wildlife garden so all of us – the garden creatures can have a nice home!”
“Exactly!” said Big Eye grinning.
“What is the plan?” asked Crafty.
Big Eye said. “I’ll tell you. But my plan will work only if there is rain. For that, we have to depend on God!”
“Sure!” everybody cried.
Big Eye continued, “It’s like this, Crafty. You know the big house. I am sure Shriek and Squeak have been there too. Now, I want you three to go to the library. Crafty, you can wait for Shriek and Squeak to locate this book. It might be in the garden section among the new arrivals. I hear Grandma has some garden books. The title of the book is “Wildlife Gardens - Need of the hour.”
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| A Wildlife Garden is harmony between man and the wild. |
Crafty said, “This is the ideal time to visit the library. The old folks, even the servants will be having their siesta. One may look at the library undisturbed!”
Shriek said “I’d love to go. I like to be where the action is!”
Squeak exclaimed. “I love books! In school, I was the head librarian!”
Crafty said “Big Eye, listen. I shall take Shriek and Squeak to the Library. I will sit on the window sill and wait while they dash in and locate the book. When we find the book what do we do?”
Big Eye said. “Then you will have to fly in quickly and pick it up and put it on the nearest table, so it gets noticed.”
“That sounds easy!” cried the squirrels. “Do we leave now?”
Big Eye said “I think that would be wonderful. I only hope nobody is in the library.”
Crafty said “Come on guys, let’s go!”
All the heat was forgotten as Crafty flew into the air while the two happy squirrels followed him scampering on the ground calling out happily. Lazy and Slender went back to rest and so did the other creatures that had stopped by to listen. Moping flew away too. Big Eye was exhausted by the day’s exertions and the heat. “I need a little snooze!” he said to himself climbing into bed.
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| Crafty was a bit nervous. After all, he had a critical role to play in the plan. |
Crafty flew and sat on the window sill of the library. Shriek and Squeak followed him in a flash. How cool and shady the big house seemed, even with the drought running! So much greenery because there was a well behind the house from which one could always draw water when taps went dry.
Crafty said to the squirrels. “You two go in quietly. The house seems very silent. I’m sure everyone is resting. If somebody wakes up our plan will be ruined- so not a whisper!”
Shriek and Squeak crept in quietly through the window grill and began to survey the room.
The library had one cupboard of books which was locked. So the question of looking up those books didn’t arise. That left the two wall cupboards. One of them contained half a dozen shelves. Shriek climbed up one to investigate. Squeak, meanwhile, was checking the other smaller cupboard which had only two long shelves. She was sure this belonged to Grandma because it was ornate. Right enough she discovered that the top shelf held a line of cook-books. The second one contained an assortment of books on sewing, knitting, embroidery, craft and hey presto! There were a few garden books, as well.
“What luck!” Squeak almost let out a squeak before she stopped herself in time. She was so excited. “Come over, Shriek!” she called out softly to her companion.
“What?” asked Shriek darting across to where Squeak was. This was too good to be true! There were only four books on gardening, and the last one along the line was sure to be the latest arrival. It looked so shiny and new!
“Look! Just what Big Eye mentioned - Wildlife Gardens!” cried Squeak as softly as she could .
“How clever you are!” said Shriek unable to hide his excitement. “This is wonderful!”
“This book is right under our nose. We are lucky they have the book we want!” said Squeak.
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| The book that Big Eye had set his eyes on! |
Crafty, who had wanted to take a little nap, was shaken when he heard the squirrels calling out to him to help them to move out the book.
“What, you have already found the book?” he asked in astonishment, “I thought you’d take a whole afternoon!”
He flew in quietly. “Wait, guys.” He whispered “I’ll try and get it off the shelf for you!”
The two squirrels tried to roll the book off the shelf. Crafty caught it deftly in his open beak. Now he had to only put it on the nearby table even as the squirrels scrambled out of the window.
Suddenly, there were sounds of footsteps coming in from the direction of the library door. And voices, too! Goodness, the kids or the adults!
Crafty had no time to put the book on the table. He simply dropped the book with a thud on the floor and flew out of the window.
The book fell in a heap upside down on the floor, the pages opening out like a fan! The poor crow was so frightened that he couldn’t help flapping his wings even as he dashed out of the grill and made his escape!
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| Crafty's error could cost the denizens of Pongamia Pond dearly. |
“Who’s that?” called out a voice, and the two children came into the library just in time to catch sight of the winged intruder, disappearing through the window.
“It’s that crow!” cried Rakesh. He bent down to pick up the book which it had dropped in such haste.
The girl came at that moment.
“Eh! Rashmi, take a look!” he called, reading out the title. Rashmi came to take a look. She took the book from him. She too had heard the book fall and just caught sight of the poor fleeing crow.
‘Wildlife Gardens - the need of the hour’ she read “Sounds pretty interesting”. She added “I have a hunch that the crow dropped it on purpose, so we could read it”
The boy said, “You imagine too much”.
The girl continued, “That crow has been hovering round the house all morning. Now, he makes bold to get into the library. I’m sure he’s drawing our attention to something.”
Rakesh roared with laughter, “There you go again. But, yes, that book should be of great help to us. Remember, we have to work on a project this summer. It should come handy.”
Rashmi said, “It’s uncanny. Can it have read our thoughts? This is just the book for our project. Nobody in the class will think of it and our teacher will be very happy!”
“Silly!” said Rakesh again, “That crow was perhaps trying to build its nest here. We came in and it dropped the book and flew off. How could it read our thoughts?”
But Rashmi hadn’t finished. She said quietly, “We humans have an inflated sense of our intelligence. How do you know animals and birds don’t think as we do? In all the stories in our scriptures, these creatures spoke and acted just like us.”
“Those are just stories”, said the practical boy.
His sister said, “I like to believe that, out there in the environment, there is a whole lot of information waiting to be unravelled.”
“Let’s take a look at what the book has to say” said Rakesh.
Both of them sat down to take a look. The book was wonderful. Even as they were exclaiming over this and that, Crafty, Shriek and Squeak hung on, perched on a branch overhanging from a nearby tree to take a good look at what was happening in the library. They were very pleased with what they saw.
“Now is the time to report to Big Eye,” said Crafty.
“Yes, indeed,” agreed the happy squirrels.
After Crafty, Shriek and Squeak had left for the big house, Big Eye started wondering if his plan would work. Would the book be there in the first place? What if the library windows were closed? Did he send them on a wild goose chase as Moping had said? Anyway, it would all be known soon. The three of them would have reached the place to begin their mission. Bah! What weather! Made one’s head spin. He just climbed into his bed to take a snooze when he thought he heard voices.
“Oh! No!”, he thought, “they had returned much too quickly. Maybe, the library window was shut!” Anyway, he ran to check, only to find the trio on his doorstep.
“We did it Big Eye! We did it!” cried the trio in great joy.
Even as they danced away, the crow collected himself and said,
“Yes, Big Eye. Your plan was perfect. I took these two to the library. I was sure they would take the whole afternoon, so I settled myself on the window-sill for a snooze. But, then Squeak located the book in a jiffy. She is a genius!”
“You mean the book was there?” asked Big Eye
“Yes, it was!”cried the two squirrels, while Big Eye could hardly believe it.
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| Squeak was squealing in delight and Big Eye was thrilled. |
“Incredible!” he exclaimed happily, his already huge eyes popping out in utter astonishment.
“Indeed! Yes.” said Crafty, watching the happy frog’s reaction, adding, “Well, everything went like clockwork. The house was very quiet since everyone was at their afternoon siesta. It was Squeak’s idea to choose the smallest shelf for she thought it might belong to grandma. It was ornate, too. This one had two rows of books only. The second one contained some garden books. Now she looked out for the new arrivals - which she was sure was in the farthest corner - and so it was! Quite a detective she is! So that book ‘Wildlife gardens’ was right there, staring at her! Oh! Dear! She was clever enough not to draw attention by calling across to her partner in excitement. She whispered to Shriek who came in a jiffy to look and stare!”
Crafty continued, “Then came my turn to pick it up and put it on the table. While they cleverly slid it off the shelf for me, I too caught it deftly in my beak and was about to fly down to put it on the nearest side table when we heard footsteps and voices in the next room. The kids! They were coming to the library! Shriek and Squeak scrambled out of the window in a flash, while I dropped the book in a heap on the floor and flew out of the window out of fear that I should get trapped there inside the library! And even as I was trying to find my way out, the kids had spotted me, alright - but oh! Big Eye, the best thing that happened was the boy bent down to pick up the book. The idea worked!”
Big Eye said “Wonderful! Wonderful! So Crafty, the book is in the right hands, you could say!”
Shriek said “We didn’t leave at once, Big Eye. We sat on the top most branch of the tree and took a good look into the library to see what the kids were doing”
“So what were they doing?” asked Big Eye, all ears.
Squeak said “Oh! Big Eye! The kids kept flipping through the pages of the book. They seemed quite pleased with it for they were talking about it or us, we were sure!”
“Great job! Well done, guys!” said Big Eye happily.
“The three of you go back home and rest awhile. Now, all we want is some rain, then everything will be taken care of.”
Crafty flew off in the direction of his house. The squirrels too, who lived on the jackfruit tree above, ran up to their houses and, on the way, met both Slender and Lazy, telling them everything that had happened and Big Eye’s wonderful plan. How excited they were! At last something was beginning to happen.
Big Eye climbed back into his bed. The heat was intense, indeed unbearable, with not even a hint of a breeze. He must have dozed off at once. Suddenly, he was up and sat bolt upright on his bed! What was that?
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| Thick dark clouds were gathering in the horizon. |
“Is the worst over and the best yet to come?”, he asked himself, when a huge clap of thunder rent the air followed by sharp streaks of lightning. Huge clouds gathered in the sky, followed by thunder and lightning. Big Eye hurried indoors and sat down in happy anticipation. Now, he heard more claps of thunder. More lightning followed and then came the rain! The rain which had been so elusive these last few years bore down with such a vengeance that it seemed unstoppable.
Big Eye came out of his house to have a look. The rain had stopped but for a very gentle patter. It was so lovely - a symphony of sounds that his ears had been starving for these last few unhappy years! He let out a happy croak which filled the place and was heard by every garden creature that lived in Pongamia Place. It was a full-throated call from deep within his being. Slender heard it and came scrambling down her web. Lazy followed, slithering down the wet branch of the tree. Shriek and Squeak hurried down, too. While Crafty flew in from the other edge of the garden, Bright came with her parents. Broody, the beetle rolled along, too. This was a call to celebrate.
Big Eye was thrilled at the response. “Come, come!” he called out. “This is an evening to celebrate. I couldn’t sit at home. So I called you all.”
All the creatures began to dance, too. More birds and insects that lived in garden
and nearby areas also joined in the celebratory dance - so happy were they at the arrival of rain after such a long drought. Moping was the last to come. But, he looked a little
irritated.
“Too early to celebrate, isn’t it?” he asked looking at Big Eye “What if the rain doesn’t stop? We will have a problem on our hands, won’t we?”
Big Eye laughed, “Come on, Moping, we waited for three years for the rain-and now that it has come, let’s enjoy it for now. If we have a flood, we’ll face it when it happens!”
Everybody was dancing with great joy as if there was no tomorrow. Soon it became dark and the creatures started going back to their homes to feed and rest. Big Eye too went to bed, happy and dazed by the day’s happenings.
Moping was right. That night Pongamia Pond spilled over.
“I told you!” cried the bird coming over to meet Big Eye the next morning. “We will all drown, believe me, not us birds though. Our houses are up on the trees!”
“Shut up!” said Squeak. “The rains will stop in a day or two.”
“The sun is trying so hard to come,” said Crafty who had come quietly. He had been watching the sky from the top of the jackfruit tree.
Yes, even as everyone watched, a pale golden sun emerged from out of the clouds, taking his place in the sky. The sky started turning its usual blue, as the sun turned a perfect golden hue with the promise of a glorious morning! It was now the turn of the sun to do his best to set things right. So, even as he stared down hard at Pongamia Pond and its environs, things began to dry up as the busy sunbeams crept into every nook and cranny of the garden. He too began to perform little miracles like the rain had done. A cheery wind started blowing joyfully helping in the drying process. Happy creatures breathed huge sighs of relief, peeped out of their underground homes and came out to sun themselves in the open.
Big Eye’s heart was full to the brim with joy. He knew his dear fur and feathered
friends would now be on their own secret missions trying to build their homes in order to
bring forth their young ones - a whole new generation of their kind. The cycle would go on. Moping seemed quite pleased for he didn’t look cross any more but flew about silently observing all the activities in the garden. However, he came to meet Big Eye.
“What’s happening at the big house?” he asked just as Crafty came over to meet
the bullfrog.
“I hardly have an idea,” said the crow. “All the doors and the windows of the big house are shut tight because of the rain. I was a little busy too, with my own family, keeping myself indoors. Now I might take a look and come with news if any.”
Big Eye said “I think you’d better do that, Crafty. The sun is up again. I am sure the kids are dying to get out of the house and come into the garden.”
Crafty agreed. “Big Eye, you know what? I am sure the kids have finished reading the book by now!”
Big Eye nodded “Yes, yes. The rain has forced them to remain indoors - so I guess they are done with the book. It is important that they lay out this garden for us - the wildlife garden.”
“What’s that?” asked Bright as she came and sat down on a small pebble. “You want the kids to lay out a garden for us? Then I hope they will plant lots of flowering shrubs. Right now the place looks like a desert! ”
Shriek and Squeak, hearing some talk below, came hurrying to join the conversation.
Crafty asked, “What would they include Big Eye?”
Big Eye said “They will have to take into account all our needs, our food habits, our shelters - the plants and shrubs that will help us survive are vital. You see, everything in the garden is interrelated - the greenery, the insects and the creatures as well as the elements. All of us too have a role to play in the life-cycle of the garden. For, if one species vanishes, life in the garden can be upset. In fact, the planet itself can be in danger - we are that important. Human beings are not as important as us, if you ask me!”
“Yes, yes!” said the frog sadly. “A decade ago, there were so many sparrows here, but now, I don’t see any. Where have they all gone?”
Moping listened intently. Yes, his sparrow friends were not around anymore.
Crafty said “I think I’d better go now and find out what’s happening at the big house.
He took off in a jiffy. In fact he was hungry and he hoped to get a morsel or two to eat.
 |
| It had rained blessings on Pongamia Pond. |
That evening, Crafty came back and called out to him in great excitement.
“Big Eye! Big Eye! The kids are coming! They are on their way here! I have already alerted the others - they should be hurrying to get here soon. You can’t imagine how excited all of us are!”
Big Eye said, “Crafty, you are smart. We need to give the kids a rousing welcome! We have to get noticed!”
“You bet” said the two squirrels who came scrambling down the tree to take their
place next to their leader, Big Eye. Lazy followed suit.
 |
| Lazy Lizard too had become energetic and activated after the rains. |
Bright came along with her parents in tow. Moping was there, too. Along came a long line of other inhabitants, spiders, beetles, lizards and worms. A whole lot of birds, butterflies and other winged creatures and insects flew in, too. They arranged themselves in neat rows. Crafty, sitting atop the tree, kept up a happy commentary.
 |
| The 'ladies' dressed in their best attires to attend the happy meeting. |
“The kids are followed by their grandparents. Kalappa the gardener is also coming along. The girl is carrying our book!”
“That sounds wonderful!” said Big Eye in reply.
“What’s that?” asked Bright. “A book? And why our book?”
Big Eye laughed, “Bright, you’ll soon know. So much has happened! We will discuss all that soon. We have to get the kids to see us!”
Crafty went on, “Even Samba, their dog is following them. Quite a crowd, you could say. By the way, that dog looks huge, but believe me he is gentle as a lamb. Big Eye, they are almost here!”
Big Eye looked at his many friends and said “Well, friends, the kids are going to be here now. I want all of you to give them a rousing welcome! Our lives depend upon how the kids view us - so now you know what to do. Here we go!”
Smart Crafty took the cue. He called out at the top of his voice,
“Caw! Caw! Caw! He flapped his ebony wings in joy drawing attention to himself.
Big Eye rolled his round eyes and called out, Croak! Croak! Croak! The squirrels waved their tails and called, “Keee! Keeee! Keeee!”
“Tick! Tick! Tick! Mmmmm! Mmmmmmm!grrrrrrr! simmm!Blimmm!Boooo!”
Lazy called, followed by a chorus of different voices. The bees buzzed, the birds
twittered, the frogs croaked, some insects called out in whatever way they could, much
to the delight of their proud leader. What a medley of sounds, really! Even Moping
called out as cheerfully as he could.
 |
| All the denizens of the garden planned a warm welcome. |
As Rakesh and Rashmi came tripping down the slope of the garden and reached
Pongamia Pond, they were in for a surprise. They stared and stared, their eyes popping out of their heads.
“Goodness Gracious!” muttered Rakesh under his breath.
“Well I never!” exclaimed Rashmi, shaking her head in utter disbelief.
Yes, out of every hole, opening, below every ledge of stone or a patch of sparse growth-all along the many tiers of rocks and soil around Pongamia Pond, they saw the inhabitants of the place as they hung, stood, crouched, sat or stretched-garden creatures of many shapes, sizes and colours-frogs, squirrels, birds, lizards, mice, cats – so many of them that had bravely survived the drought, had assembled here.
“Look!” said Rashmi to her brother. “It’s that crow who dropped the book. I’m sure he has arranged it all. Clever bird!”
Rakesh said “Yes, it’s the crow alright - though all crows look alike to me!”
“Quite a menagerie here!” exclaimed Grandpa who had arrived on the scene and stood gazing at the animals with wide-eyed wonder. Grandma had come now. She said,
“Look at that wise bullfrog! I think he is the leader. Do you think he is trying to tell us something?”
 |
| Big Eye was shouting his heart out and communicating indeed! |
“Croak! Croak!” called out Big Eye doing a quick twist. How he loved to dance!
“There you are, Paati!” said Rashmi. “He’s acknowledging your compliment.”
“That crow is smart.” added Grandma. “Look how he’s watching our every move!”
“Caw! Caw!” called out Crafty from atop the tree.
“In fact,” said Grandma, “That frog’s croak sounds familiar to me. I heard him last evening. He called out so loud and so long. The crow seems familiar too. He is forever flying outside our window!”
Rashmi said, “I think all the creatures have gathered here to welcome us!”
The animals responded at once in great excitement - calling out all over again
happily jumping, dancing, nodding their heads or flapping their wings, swishing their
tails or wiggling their bodies or whatever it was they did when they were excited.
Now, the gardener had arrived on the scene. He, in his turn, stopped and stared. He knew most of the creatures, for he had worked for almost a lifetime here, but it was the first time he had seen so many of them gathered here like this.
“Well, I never!” he said to himself “What a spectacle!” his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. So amazing it was, this scene. Now, Samba the dog came bounding to where the family had gathered. He too, stopped, wagged his tail in great delight, let out happy, joyous barks at the sight of his garden friends
 |
| Samba was delirious with joy seeing his fellow creatures. |
“It is amazing!” said Grandpa, “that they should all gather here to welcome us like this! I have come into the garden many times, but I don’t think I have ever seen so many of them gathered in one place! In fact, with the drought on I was under the impression that many of them had perished.”
Grandma said, “Many of them might have perished. These are the tough ones that have survived, I am sure. How glad I am here to see them all, today!”
“Yes,” added Grandpa “I recall Kalappa telling me several times how so many had died in the last few years.”
Rashmi said, “I don’t think it is a coincidence - these creatures coming together like this to welcome us. They have come to draw our attention to their plight.”
“I am beginning to believe it”, agreed Grandpa.
Rashmi went on, “I am sure they feel endangered - what with climate change and all the housing activity as well as the vanishing, green cover. All they want is a place to live. It is as simple as that.”
Big Eye had heard her. This girl had hit the nail on the head! How clever she was! He let out a big croak. Others took the cue and again they all began to call out as if they heartily agreed with her.
He looked at his granddaughter as if waiting for a cue. The girl, for her part, had come all prepared. She had a book under her arm and a plan up her sleeve - the grandson, as well.
He said “Thatha, (Grandpa in Tamil) we have to lay out a wildlife garden here. That will also be our school project for this summer”
Rashmi added,“Yes, Rakesh and I decided to help the creatures by laying out - as he says- a wildlife garden. We thought it would be good to help the planet right itself. So what better place than our own backyard to begin with?” She stopped, and continued. “You may find it strange, but I do believe that the garden creatures are arranging for us to lay it out for them. It will be a quick way for their survival”
Rakesh began to laugh. He said “Actually, thatha, that crow and the two squirrels got into the library the other day and dropped that very book we are now having on the floor so we could take a look at it!”
“What?” asked Grandpa in surprise and disbelief, “That sounds incredible!”
Rashmi said “Yes, these creatures are more intelligent than we will give them credit for”.
Rakesh said “Seeing them gathered here I am beginning to believe my sister.”
“Just look at their bright and intelligent faces! They are not frightened or running away! They are asking us to help them” added Grandma.
“We took your book, Grandma!” said Rashmi “The Wildlife Garden book - the latest arrival - why the animals themselves gave it to us - it seems. We are going to make full use of the same. We have made notes and jotted down lots of things.” She held out a piece of note paper which she pulled out of the notepad and held it up for them to see.
“Shoot!” said Grandpa looking at the girl admiringly.
“So we need to lay out a wildlife garden for these creatures!” Rashmi began, “Thatha, we want the whole area around Pongamia Pond to work on”
“It’s yours, ma’am, said Grandpa, “The whole backyard is yours.” Turning to Kalappa, the mali, he said to him in Kannada, the local lingo. “The children want the whole back yard to lay out a special garden for the garden creatures. So this space no longer belongs to us, do you understand?”
Kalappa snorted and shook his head which was covered by an over-sized red turban that had seen many washings.
“What?” he thought to himself, “this whole space reserved for them? But they have always been here.” He told the master “But, Swami they are already here anyway!”
Grandpa laughed and said “It’s true, but now we can’t grow the things we want but what the creatures need!” Kalappa jumped up with a start, in astonishment and disappointment.
“What, after so much rain and with the pond over flowing after so many years I was hoping you would ask me to grow some vegetables!”
“Forget all about the vegetable garden,” said Grandpa, “This stretch of garden has been given to the children for their summer project. Do you know that the future of the planet depends on what we do with this piece of land!”
Kalappa blinked his eyes, not knowing what to make of all this- and any way he was so old. He surmised that masters and their kids were an odd lot, anyway. He held his tongue and said nothing.
Rashmi was waiting for her Grandpa to finish his conversation with the mali. She didn’t understand what was being said because she didn’t understand a word of Kannada, but the mali’s body language gave him away.
Now, Grandpa turned to her again and asked “Now, young lady. Let us know what you want done in the garden.”
Rashmi began, “First, we want a fence around the pond-you can add a wicket gate. This is not to separate the pond from the garden but only to serve as a hedge for the creepers to grow and trail along.
Grandpa told the mali about the fence. That fellow, a sharp guy, pointed to the compound wall. “Why, we have that wall all around the garden. Why fence in the pond?”
Grandpa explained. “No, no. They want a fence only so that lots of creepers can trail along, so flowers can grow on both sides and insects can find food and shelter.”
Kalappa shook his head and snorted again. He thought-what a waste of time! These rich kids! A fence for creatures! Whoever heard of such a thing? He however, remained silent. After all, it was their garden and his job was to do what he was told.
Grandpa turned to Rashmi who said,
“Thatha, we want Kalappa to plant lantana bushes - plenty of them all over the place. Lantana flowers bloom all through the year. The plants are hardy and multiply fast. They have plenty of berries besides being a source of good supply of honey for the bees and other insects. Also, the flowers come in many colours - white, orange, purple and pink and will look very pretty. Butterflies love these flowers for their honey as do the bees.”
Grandpa translated everything for Kalappa.
 |
| Lantana is the butterflies' delight. |
But Bright Butterfly and her parents had heard the word ‘lantana’ and became so excited that they began flying all at once in a flash of colours looking so pretty, catching everyone’s attention.
Rashmi continued, undeterred by the reaction of the old mali or her Grandpa, for she was a determined girl. “We also want lots of plants and bushes that produce berries and fruits. Kalappa can figure them out himself. The book says that the creatures should have a good supply of food without having to go looking for it.”
“Right!” said Grandpa, turning to Kalappa once again to convey the instruction. The mali did not utter a word but one could see that his face was a complete blank. He wondered what else would follow!
Rashmi said, “We want bird boxes and bat boxes – ready made homes for some of our friends. I am sure they are going to love the idea!”
Grandpa had his say, “Sounds quite atrocious to me! With food on the premises and ready made homes, these creatures are going to be spoilt like many of today’s brats”
“No, thatha, they will need them, the book says so” said the girl, not budging.
Kalappa was told what to do. Kalappa stared at his master wondering if he was hearing right. But one could see he was more bewildered than ever. Like his old master the mali’s first thought was – are we going to pamper these creatures to the extent of not only giving them food but also homes? Were they not supposed to go looking for things to eat and to build their houses themselves? These masters and their kids were quite batty - that was it. It was better to hold one’s tongue. Would they listen to him, any way? He was getting quite immune, really to further surprises!
 |
| A place to live for the winged dearies too! |
“They seem to understand whatever we are saying!”
Every one was watching the antics of the winged creatures as they flew in and out of trees and bushes flapping their wings and calling out to each other.
Rashmi hadn’t finished.
“Thatha!” she said “We don’t want Kalappa to cut or trim the grass. In a wildlife garden everything is allowed to grow naturally - so no weeding either. The book says weeds are good because they encourage the growth of small insects. The insects need the overgrowth to hide.”
This was duly conveyed to the mali by Grandpa. The shrewd mali heard everything. One could see his sharp eyes were beginning to twinkle, but he kept an impassive face. What would be coming next, he wondered - so many new-fangled things thrown at him, all in a single evening.
“Grandpa!” said Rashmi again. “We want the trees to be left alone. No chopping or trimming of branches. The birds need hiding places among the tangles for building their nests.”
Grandpa harrumphed. The mali thought, what now? When the order was conveyed he merely shook his head from side to side, as if in disbelief.
Moping was too happy for words. He flew off his perch and rushed to tell the news to his family. He was now beginning to believe in the wisdom of Big Eye’s plan. He who was quick to pick holes remained silent. Compliments didn’t come to his tongue easily.
Rashmi said,
“Grandpa!”
“Now what?” thought Grandpa, just like Kalappa. Hadn’t his little granddaughter finished yet?
“We want plants and bushes to grow wild all along the fence and the compound wall - why, even along the branches and shrubbery. For, we want spiders to weave their webs undisturbed.”
“If nobody is going to work in the garden, who will disturb them?” asked Grandpa. “They can have a field day doing what they like with no work to do.”
“This is no laughing matter, thatha!” put in Rakesh “It is a question of survival.” When Kalappa was told this, he got an idea - yes, he could take a break from work, visit his many relatives in his village. He hadn’t seen them in years.
 |
| There is nothing like 'waste' or 'uselessness' in nature. |
Rashmi continued, “The mali shouldn’t sweep the leaves off the ground- and the twigs too. They should remain untouched, for little insects might want to build their homes under them. In course of time, of course these leaves will provide the soil a rich source of protein in the form of humus.
“Hurrah!” called out Broody, the Beetle jumping up in joy. Everyone stared at the little beetle. Rakesh was simply fascinated.
Rashmi was done at last. She said, “That’s all for now, thatha!”
With that, she tucked in the piece of notepaper into the pad, shut its pages and added. “Well, I hope Kalappa will remember all that he has been told to do. With all that rain Nature will take care of the rest. They are, after all, her children. Thank you, thatha for everything.”
Grandpa nodded happily. He told the mali. “In a day or two we shall go to Russell Market and pick up those boxes. So, have you understood everything or do I have to clarify anything?”
Kalappa said, “My first job is to fix that fence around the pond. Next, I plant all those lantana bushes or shrubs that have berries or fruits. I have no problem with both. Then, when we get those bird and bat boxes, they are to be fixed on the tops of the trees. From then on, my work stops. With so much rain the garden can be left to its own devices, unattended. I also plan to visit my village. You take it from me, Swami, this place will become a veritable paradise. Snakes and reptiles will prevail. Robbers and dacoits can come and hide, for this place will soon turn into a veritable hide out for them!”
Grandpa loved the mali’s reaction. He agreed with the old mali, totally.
“You are right, Kalappa! This back garden is going to be an eye-sore. If all kids were as determined as my grandchildren, then you malis will find it hard to get jobs!”
The shrewd mali agreed, shaking his huge turbaned head. He added, “Yes, sir that day is not far away - I mean it has arrived here already.”
Of course, his job was secure. He still had the front garden to take care of.
Grandpa turned to the kids.
“I still don’t understand the logic. In our time, we loved laying out gardens - there was pride in growing the best, the choicest fruit and flowering shrubs and vegetables. Of course, the Bangalore climate we knew was good for growing trees and flowers. With so much rain this year, I had plans up my sleeve for some good work to be done here. We like a garden which, while being useful should be pleasing to the eye, with everything in its place and trimmed nicely. In our time, we had won a few prizes during the flower show for private gardens. Now, whoever had heard of a wildlife garden? Not me!”
Grandpa had touched a raw nerve. Rashmi drew herself up, all of four feet something to answer Grandpa’s charges. She said with an air of great self-assurance,
“Grandpa, it is precisely because of such selfish reasons, we are now faced with a predicament. I mean human beings have been so shortsighted that they have caused the disappearance of many animals and insects from the face of the earth. And anyway, this is Grandma’s book - and I am sure she is very much aware of a wildlife garden”.
 |
| The earth belongs to all equally. |
“I know! I know!” said the girl laughing but undeterred, “Even there, thatha, there are people of your generation who think exactly like you do. They want impeccable gardens but now environmentalists there, too, are crying hoarse. They believe that the cause of the disappearance of some types of butterflies as well as some birds is directly linked to such ideas! So they are working very hard to bring back those species. And, anyway, those people have managed to preserve quite a bit of their forests and wooded areas.”
Grandpa hadn’t finished,
“All that is very well for your environmentalists to say. If all gardens were to become jungles, the criminals and robbers would have a field day. Already we have enough robbers in the city. Now, I have another question for you. Now, imagine us having a garden like that, what will the neighbours think? This place will be an eye sore and stand out.”
Rakesh, who had held his tongue for so long said,
“Thatha, why should we worry about what others think of us? We should set an example- our teacher keeps telling us all the time. Our top most priority is to help the planet to right itself! In fact, a garden is not exactly for our pleasure.”
Grandpa jumped. It seemed both the kids were ganging up on him, now! He turned to the little chap who seemed to hold his own today with an indulgent Grandma to boot.
“Now what kind of accusation, is that, little fella?” he asked, staring down at him. “May I know for whose pleasure one’s garden is?”
Rashmi rushed to defend her brother. “Listen, thatha,” she said patiently, knowing they might have gone too far and it was not fair to him and yet this had to be done and emphasised right away!
“A wildlife garden is not exactly a place for us to grow fruits or vegetables of our choice or for our pleasure! It is meant to be a breeding ground for the garden creatures. They ought to have a place to breed, grow and perpetuate their species. This life cycle has to continue to maintain life on the planet. We have a wonderful opportunity to encourage them to do that, so there is growth of small insects like bees, grasshoppers, beetles and worms. In turn, they will bring bigger creatures like frogs, lizards, mice and bats. We are lucky to have Pongamia Pond to begin our work.”
“Bravo!” cried Grandma looking admiringly at the two kids. “When I ordered the book little did I guess you children would do this project. Such awareness is the first step. The second one is the implementation of it.”
Grandpa sighed. He said, “Well, here we are! I had no idea we had that book in the library or that your Grandma had ordered it. Anyway, good luck to you! I am proud of you! I am now beginning to understand why you need to have that garden, here!”
Rashmi said, “Thank you, thatha, we are glad you see our point of view. In fact such a garden, the book says, is vital for the survival of the human species! You see, if there was no greenery, there would be no insects. Without greenery there would be no life giving oxygen, either. Everything is interlinked.”
Grandpa nodded. He saw the connection, at once. He loved the kids and the things they were saying and doing. Today’s kids had minds of their own. They were being brought up that way and their self assurance was amazing. The planet was in good hands. Oh! Of course he liked to psyche them up now and then and enjoy the banter.
Grandma said her piece. She had to, for the theme rang a bell. She said,
“Yes, human beings are indeed very selfish. I remember reading something similar to what you kids are trying to tell us. Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi used to say, ‘Human beings are selfish. They will spend hours of labour, time and money to lay out manicured lawns, so green and velvety and for whose benefit? For themselves and their friends to admire! Grass is food for the cows. After all, cows sustain us and feed us. What would we do without milk? And yet, we will not allow a cow anywhere near such lawns! Human beings will own whole orchards of fruits and drive away all the creatures that come to feed on them. Some of these intruders will be shot dead, too! Everything is used by man for his consumption and profit. Nature is not like that. There is enough in her scheme for man, animal, bird, even the tiniest insect. She is like a mother.”
Rashmi said,
“Thatha, Patti, look at all the bizarre things happening in the world today. Lack of vision and foresight has led to this. Floods, earthquakes, forest fires, unseasonal rains, melting glaciers-the whole world reeks of pollution-a dangerous situation, indeed. If we don’t check ourselves in time, there will be no planet left for the future.”
Grandma said,
“Rashmi, modern man, lacks the wisdom, though he may have gained a lot of knowledge. Our ancestors knew how to revere and respect all elements and look upon them as gods. Indeed, we can survive only if we live in harmony with nature. In the ashrams the wise rishis lived amidst such greenery worshipping Nature and caring for her.”
Grandpa laughed “There goes your Grandma! I heard your lectures, kids, but now Grandma is ready with hers!”
“She’s right, Thatha” said Rashmi “Our ancient civilization had it all nicely worked out. People were not greedy. Each person took just enough for his family. Now, they want to deplete all Nature to make profit.”
Grandpa said “Ok, kids, here we go. I’m doing my bit for the planet, mind you, by giving you this space. Go and lay out your garden for our little friends!” He walked off towards the house, followed by Grandma, the mali and Samba.
Rashmi and Rakesh hung around a little longer discussing a few things.
Rashmi said, “Tomorrow morning, I’m coming here to make some sketches. We have to show our teacher what the garden looked like before we planted a wild-life garden. Now, it is a total desert. Only the pond is full!”
Rakesh said, “I have a better idea. I shall bring my camera and take pictures of the garden, the pond, even the creatures. Should be good fun! After two months, we can take more pictures and compare them.”
“A wonderful idea!” exclaimed Rashmi, delighted. “I need to buy a nice notebook for the project - something big like an album.”
The two kids went off chatting among themselves towards the house.
For a whole month, Rashmi and Rakesh stood in the garden watching and helping Kalappa plant the shrubs, build a fence, fix the creepers and the bird and bat boxes. Watering was not needed as it kept raining most of the nights and on some mornings too. So much moisture was sure to produce a paradise of greenery. The garden began to take shape. It had a picture-book setting, a pond in the centre glistening like a green jewel with tiers of plants, ferns and flowers growing out of the many nooks and crannies of stones placed around its rim and along the slope. Pebble and rocks too held mud and moisture for moss to spread like folds of green velvet. Good old Kalappa loved his plants and had outdone himself. He had fixed the fence a little away from the pond, so there would be space for people to walk around.
“What is a pond without water lilies?” asked Grandma. So, Kalappa planted water lilies promptly. They were pink, white and purple and looked lovely on their many lily pads, standing upright on their slender stalks.
 |
| Grandma's suggestion and Kalappa's efforts blossomed in the most beautiful way. |
What a wealth of material was gathered from real experience! The lantana bushes that were planted yielded as the book a profusion of flowers and berries. How the butterflies hovered over them! How the birds feasted on the fruits! Ixora bushes were laden with giant balls of flowers dripping honey.
Even as the garden was complete and was taking care of itself, Kalappa sat back to study his handiwork. He couldn’t stop harrumphing. So much effort to help the creatures! He wished somebody would take care of him and provide him a larder to dip into - a readymade house to live in. Why, even Samba was a lucky creature, lived in a mansion and ate like a lord - milk and bread and whatever. When he was ill, they took him to a vet in their car! He couldn’t help voicing his thoughts to the lady of the house one evening, comparing himself to the lucky inhabitants of Pongamia Place and Samba, their pet dog.
“Oh! dear!” exclaimed Grandma to Grandpa and to the kids “Do you know poor Kalappa is envious of the garden creatures and even our Samba?”
At once the kids saw his point and agreed wholeheartedly with what the mali had said.
Grandpa added “He’s growing old-the poor mali. He has slogged for us for years. Let’s build for him a little place on the premises and provide him a pension for his old age. His sons can be trained by him to do garden work.”
When Kalappa heard this, he was very happy. His old age was taken care of. In the meanwhile, he was quite amused to find the kids standing for long hours in the garden, making sketches, clicking pictures and making notes in a book. He hung around observing them even giving them toothless smiles now that his future was taken care of thanks to them! Everything that had been planted took root and, with the sun and the rain helping, grew and spread profusely.
Indeed, Big Eye was in Seventh Heaven - the happiest creature in Pongamia Place. As he ran his eyes over the backyard he caught sight only of the greenery. It was even better than in the olden days. For, in those days, there was greenery alright but it was shared by the garden creatures with the people in the house. Now, thanks to the kids, the creatures had the garden all to themselves. What a piece of good fortune! There was no dearth of food and water thanks to Nature’s forethought and bounty.
The good frog and his friends met everyday in front of his house to talk about this and that. Crafty, as usual, brought all the news from the big house. Bright came morning and evening to meet up with the kind frog. Shriek and Squeak had a great time chasing each other across the garden, now and then stopping for a bite to eat. Food was plentiful.Slender was busy spinning her intricate webs to catch her prey. Lazy, too, had no problem with food. He lay stretched happily atop the Jackfruit tree. Even Moping stopped complaining. He seemed quite pleased with the world for once.
Big Eye told his dear friends one day. “The planet will right itself if everyone took a leaf from the kids’ notebook”.
Crafty said, “Big Eye, you will be happy to hear this piece of news, I heard today at lunch time. I believe the kids’ teacher is so happy with their project. She allowed them to make a presentation to the school board. Now the school is giving them some kind of award for their work.”
“Hurrah!” cried all the creatures, “They deserve an award. They gave us a place to live!”
About the Author
Prema Ramakrishnan was born and grew up in Bangalore, the Garden City in southern India. She took her B.A. degree in English literature from the University of Mysore. She started writing in English from an early age but commenced sending her writings for publication from 1969. Eight of her books, one of them being about George Washington Carver (The Guiding Light), have been published by the Children's Book Trust of India and others. One of her books published by the Children's Book Trust has been used as a model picture book by NCERT. She has written over 200 short stories for adults and children with 80 of them published in several leading Indian magazines - Femina, Eve's Weekly, Caravan, Women's Era. She has also written articles on fashion, furnishing, teenage problems etc. Her children's story “Musicians of Madhupur” won the UNICEF International Award 1973 for the best entry in English. She has written a number of plays, one of them "The Ace Housekeeper" winning the Padamsee Theatre Group award. Another play "What Next” has also been staged by amateur theatre. Prema Ramkrishnan is more well-known in Bombay for her numerous middles which have appeared in the Times of India over the years and some in Mid-day, also of Bombay, and, of late, a few in Deccan Herald, Bangalore. Prema Ramakrishnan has many hobbies. She paints - mostly landscapes and still life. Her other hobbies include flower arrangement, paper-flower making, furnishing; her first love, however, is English poetry and her most recent works are two volumes of English poems, one for adults and the other for children. Happily married, Prema has two grown up sons and she now resides in Bangalore.
