Monday, Mar 21, 2005
A Different Three Year Old
- Rani Iyer"I trained as an ecologist and worked blissfully in forests of Western Ghats. Since then I have lived in many places in North America. I currently reside in Washington State. I find nature to be eternally fascinating and resilient. Likewise, places and people constantly renew their acquintance. Deep within each of us resides a new community of thoughts that have the power to uplift or pull us down as we process our daily reactions to events. In this series, I attempt snapshots of those moments."
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Courtyard Vistas Series -Part 11
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There was unusual excitement in the streets the morning as I went to the market. At home I noticed a cane basket covered with a coir mat in the front porch.
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“Why are you all excited today?” I asked mother.
“We are happy,” she said humming tunelessly.
“What is the reason?”
“It is good to be happy!”
I watched as she hustled her task.
I went to examine the contents in the basket left on the porch. There was a large coconut, with all its fibers intact. Then there were balls of jaggery. Uncle brought some culms of sugarcane. Grandpa dragged the coconut fronds.
“Is all this for one person?” I inquired.
“Yes. He sure needs a big lunch,” said uncle.
“Is he big?” I asked.
“Not really. He will get bigger.”
As I watched grandpa hack the fronds into smaller pieces, I heard a booming noise. I had never heard anything like that before. I wanted to run into the house, when everyone came rushing outside. Granny, with her sari tucked up and showing her ankles, was one of the first to dash to the porch.
“Here he is!” she said, peering into the horizon.
I only saw people throng the streets like in a festival. As booming got closer I spotted a speck of black and red coming towards us. It was an elephant!
The sight of a decorated elephant enthralled me. Nothing has ever been so hugely amazing. As he began to get closer, I felt hypnotized by his strange, gentle gait. His ivory tusks gleamed of gold in the sun. He panted softly.
He stopped in front of each home to be fed. We all offered him something. Mother gave him a ball of Jaggery, while Grandpa allowed me to feed him with coconut fronds. It was amazing to see a nose twist, turn, and even gently pick up the peanuts that had fallen on the floor. Even as he was reaching and eating, he was watching us with his gentle eyes and waving his ears and tail.
“What is his name?” I asked the mahout.
“Karmegam,” he said showing his yellow teeth.
“He is more gray than black,” I replied.
“Karmegam means a gray cloud.”
“How old is he?”
“May be three or four.”
“Does he have to work?”
“You bet!”
“What kind of work do you make him do?”
“Drag logs, and temple work, you know.”
“Be careful,” I said as tears glassed my eyes.
“He is an elephant..”
“He will miss his mother.”
The mahout nodded.
“Karmegam, this little lady is your friend,” said the mahout to the elephant. Karmegam lifted his trunk and gently placed it on my head. The crowd in front of our home, Ooohed! Karmegam stood for a long time grunting to me. I had the strangest feeling that he was saying something. I did not speak his language.
“What did you say to the elephant?” asked mother that night.
I turned around to face her and said sadly, “Is it not sad that they make a three year old work?” Wordlessly mother hugged me. I drifted off to sleep imagining how Karmegam missed cuddling with his mother at the end of the day.
Courtyard Vistas Series 10: Fighting Hunger
Courtyard Vistas Series 9: The Word World
Courtyard Vistas Series 8: The Mind Of A Garland
Courtyard Vistas Series 7: Pass It On
Courtyard Vistas Series 6: Top Class
Courtyard Vistas Series 5: Amrosia For Boredom
Courtyard Vistas Series 4: Questions
Courtyard Vistas Series 3: Bathing Rituals
Courtyard Vistas Series 2: Bestowed Names
Courtyard Vistas Series 1: Courtyard Vistas
Photo Credit: http://www.steigsplace.com
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