Summer Vacation
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It was Saturday. Father was reading newspaper and his 8 years son returned from his exams. Being tired the son thrown his bag on bed. He yelled at his mother, “Mumma, I am hungry and thirsty too. Bring Rasna plzzzzz.”
Mom arrived with a glass of water and a glass of Rasna. Son ignored water and took glass of Rasna in his hand. He drank it in one sip. Father was observing all his actions. Mom returned to the kitchen. Son started telling his dad whole day story till now. Father kept acknowledging him asking questions to continue the conversation. As son finished with it, father asked him, “So, what’s the plan for this vacation?”
Son replied with excitement, “Lots of Maggie, Cartoon and Video Game. I am not going to miss any episode of shinchan, chhota bhim, oggies and cockroaches.” Son rushed to the bedroom to get fresh. Father laughed at his answer and got little worried too. Concept of enjoying vacations is changed much. By keeping newspaper in a hand, and looking outside the window, he started remembering his vacations. The old days he and his friends enjoyed much.
He remembered his childhood. All those moments started flashing right in front of his eyes. Not much of cartoon he used to watch. Day was beginning with swimming in the river. Later breakfast followed by bike tour with his friends. They used to visit Mango gardens every afternoon. They liked stealing mangoes directly from trees. Climbing the trees, resting on them and eating stolen fruits were their fun. This game continues till owner comes and shouts at them. Evening spent with cricket, and they used to sleep by listening to Grandma's bedtime stories. Sometimes they were visiting farms and riding bullock carts. Mom, Aunts, Grandma were making special food for these kids everyday which they liked much. His face was glowing with those sweet memories.
But, what has changed now? In the past, he was staying outside whole day and now his son will be at home? His son won’t be going anywhere. No cricket, no bike riding nothing is on his list. Why? Why did this happen? If the kid will be at home whole day, then he will get bored and his health may get affected too. How can this be avoided? Why is he not ready to go out? Even he didn’t ask for any picnic. He just wants to watch cartoon and eat Maggie. He wants to play the video game. Are we getting addicted to the idiot box and fast food stuff? The worried father started thinking and finding out answers of these questions.
He was staying in a village and now in a city. There is a jungle of various buildings in the city with less number of grounds and trees available. No such river is there. Only sea but it’s very risky to swim in sea water for kids. Swimming pools are there but they have specific timings. Natural air is replaced with the polluted air. In village, the doors of most of the houses are always open during daytime. But in city, it is changed. Doors are always closed. Open minded people are becoming lesser. There is no security guarantee in the city. Many things were getting into his brain.
These are the external things. What about parents? Do they have enough time to spend with their kids? Parents are always busy in corporate meetings and office work. Then how son will be able to enjoy vacation with them? Single child in family is better but is it good for that kid? Siblings are most close to anyone. They are the best friends from childhood. Does his aunts, uncles, cousins stay close by so that he can play with them? Nope. They are not here. They are divided in various cities. Nuclear family is good for getting privacy and, avoids any clashes or fights. But it’s not useful for those kids. They will feel alone. And hence they will become homesick. Kids need their aged people to play with. Only then they will go out.
Suddenly, the father started his laptop and started searching something. His wife was seating close to him which he didn't notice. She was observing him from long time while sipping up the coffee. In the mean time, he looked at her and smiled. She asked, “What are you doing?”
With the excited face, he answered, “I am planning a vacation for my son. We would be going out. Not only us, the whole Big family.” She got him and they laughed.
They walked towards their son’s room. Son was playing with his toys in his bedroom. They looked at each other and smiled, and kept watching their son playing. Father was happy as his son will not be homesick for this vacation.
Sunit S. Pendse
23rd April 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com
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It was Saturday. Father was reading newspaper and his 8 years son returned from his exams. Being tired the son thrown his bag on bed. He yelled at his mother, “Mumma, I am hungry and thirsty too. Bring Rasna plzzzzz.”
Mom arrived with a glass of water and a glass of Rasna. Son ignored water and took glass of Rasna in his hand. He drank it in one sip. Father was observing all his actions. Mom returned to the kitchen. Son started telling his dad whole day story till now. Father kept acknowledging him asking questions to continue the conversation. As son finished with it, father asked him, “So, what’s the plan for this vacation?”
Son replied with excitement, “Lots of Maggie, Cartoon and Video Game. I am not going to miss any episode of shinchan, chhota bhim, oggies and cockroaches.” Son rushed to the bedroom to get fresh. Father laughed at his answer and got little worried too. Concept of enjoying vacations is changed much. By keeping newspaper in a hand, and looking outside the window, he started remembering his vacations. The old days he and his friends enjoyed much.
He remembered his childhood. All those moments started flashing right in front of his eyes. Not much of cartoon he used to watch. Day was beginning with swimming in the river. Later breakfast followed by bike tour with his friends. They used to visit Mango gardens every afternoon. They liked stealing mangoes directly from trees. Climbing the trees, resting on them and eating stolen fruits were their fun. This game continues till owner comes and shouts at them. Evening spent with cricket, and they used to sleep by listening to Grandma's bedtime stories. Sometimes they were visiting farms and riding bullock carts. Mom, Aunts, Grandma were making special food for these kids everyday which they liked much. His face was glowing with those sweet memories.
But, what has changed now? In the past, he was staying outside whole day and now his son will be at home? His son won’t be going anywhere. No cricket, no bike riding nothing is on his list. Why? Why did this happen? If the kid will be at home whole day, then he will get bored and his health may get affected too. How can this be avoided? Why is he not ready to go out? Even he didn’t ask for any picnic. He just wants to watch cartoon and eat Maggie. He wants to play the video game. Are we getting addicted to the idiot box and fast food stuff? The worried father started thinking and finding out answers of these questions.
He was staying in a village and now in a city. There is a jungle of various buildings in the city with less number of grounds and trees available. No such river is there. Only sea but it’s very risky to swim in sea water for kids. Swimming pools are there but they have specific timings. Natural air is replaced with the polluted air. In village, the doors of most of the houses are always open during daytime. But in city, it is changed. Doors are always closed. Open minded people are becoming lesser. There is no security guarantee in the city. Many things were getting into his brain.
These are the external things. What about parents? Do they have enough time to spend with their kids? Parents are always busy in corporate meetings and office work. Then how son will be able to enjoy vacation with them? Single child in family is better but is it good for that kid? Siblings are most close to anyone. They are the best friends from childhood. Does his aunts, uncles, cousins stay close by so that he can play with them? Nope. They are not here. They are divided in various cities. Nuclear family is good for getting privacy and, avoids any clashes or fights. But it’s not useful for those kids. They will feel alone. And hence they will become homesick. Kids need their aged people to play with. Only then they will go out.
Suddenly, the father started his laptop and started searching something. His wife was seating close to him which he didn't notice. She was observing him from long time while sipping up the coffee. In the mean time, he looked at her and smiled. She asked, “What are you doing?”
With the excited face, he answered, “I am planning a vacation for my son. We would be going out. Not only us, the whole Big family.” She got him and they laughed.
They walked towards their son’s room. Son was playing with his toys in his bedroom. They looked at each other and smiled, and kept watching their son playing. Father was happy as his son will not be homesick for this vacation.
Sunit S. Pendse
23rd April 2014
Sunitpendse.blogspot.com
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