Land of Lilliputians

Wishing You a Very Happy 2013 It is December 29. At 8 pm we receive a handwritten note; an invitation, actually. The invitation is for a New Year Party and the party is being arranged by the four elder Lilliputians: Maheen, Saif, Zainab, Apple.  There’s one invite for every adult and every invite bears the invitee’s name and sketch. I, for one, feel special.    Though not really a party person, I know I want to attend this one. The fact that my study was ransacked, my reams of paper ravaged, and my pens robbed to design the invites, is, of course, another matter.   The invite is for 10:30 pm. And from 8pm to 10 pm a strange calm descends on the Land of Lilliputians.  While we try to make the most of this unexpected peace, one room alone bears the brunt of loud noises and crazy thumping of the feet. It’s the room where the party will be hosted. The room is turned upside down to create the party mood. Rehearsals of dance and sing...

The Lilliputians have abandoned us. They have charted their own course in life. They have become independent. Now they live in a grand mansion of their own. The mansion is a 6 by 4 feet wooden plank and is nestled in the hollow of a garb tree. The dwellers of this palatial abode have actually made it quite comfortable. There are cushions. There’s a shoe rack. Behind the shoe rack, there’s also a study of sorts where one book is strategically arranged in such a way that the onlookers may see it and remark: the studious Lilliputians.  There’s a strong possibility that for all intents and purposes the study in question is merely a showpiece. While the residents of this luxurious lodging enjoy their newfound independence, the adults of the land of Lilliputians are reduced to being errand people for siphoning out food to the treehouse dwellers. The Lilliputians are happy. But not so the birds. All the birds within 100- meter radius of the land of Lilliputians h...

Every moment in three-year-old Mobby’s life is a ‘Eureka!’ moment.  He is so taken with the discovery of his own self.  Starting with the revelation of being able to hold a full mug of milk, he is now onto some bigger self-discoveries. And for the last two weeks, this journey has been happening on a tricycle. He starts wheeling. His concentration level is optimum. As he tries to push his feet downwards to roll the obstinate pedals and discover the power of being mobile, a new world opens up for him. He declares with an evident note of pride: “See I can ride a cycle.” A few days later, he decides to move out of his comfort zone. In a resolve to stretch his physical boundaries, he announces that now he is going to opt for some bigger feats. He lets go of the handles. Now the tricycle inches forward, zigzagging.  Mobby’s arms extend wide as if he has suddenly grown wings and he shouts:  “Look! I can ride without even touching the handle...