Sipra's Diary: Drollery of a Pickpocket.

 

                      ( Drama )

Title : Drollery of Pickpocket. :Time:3 to 5 minutes.                

        One-Act-Play ./. Place : Metrocity  of  Calcutta.  India./.  TIME : 1965.

          Genre:        Humour

Protagonist :          Gargi.  

Antagonist;            Pickpocket  

Other characters :  Two  friends of gargi  ,   Few college students (both girls and boys and others).

Venue :      ......    Public double-decker bus.

Words=959//  page =7

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The Narrator   :

Calcutta was the #1 One  overpopulated megacity of the world at the time of 1960s .  It was hard to take ride into the bus during office hours in any mid- stoppage, as the buses became full at the starting point. From 9am to10Am.   morning  and  4:30--5:30 Pm. was the peek  hours .

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 Act One          Scene  1

Gargi with two other friends came outside  of the   university gate; noticed some of their known friends taking  chat excitedly.   Someone   suggested ,"  Instead of waiting it's better for us  to   take a walk for home;  perhaps  by this time  ,we could  have reached  home safely.

Gargi.  asked  them: '  Hi, do you know how long the last bus left this stoppage?" 

They( crushing their teeth)  said in chorus voice ,"just now! Ju--st now two  overloaded buses, successively like tweens,   passed  by  us   without  halting  the stoppage ! The conductor waived  his hand   to mean he had no   other  way !". 

Gargi :"  Looking at the watch ,  it 'sjust 4 o' clock!  She thought  it shouldn't be so ,!

A man : Today there is  a  mammoth  gathering   in Esplanade  for  Election  campaign.  So some roads have been blocked ; Only two buses are available from here."

Gargi : I see .

Mallika  screamed :"voila , some bus is coming !" to  get ready she  jumped  down the road from side ways so that bus couldn't cross.

Gargi : " Lo!   you seemed to  become  a patriot , a.  crusador  for getting  the  bus !"

Just like warrior  in army they somehow boarded the bus . Another fight was waiting for Gargi ;because she hast to  drop also in the mid way .  

  (  Scene -11)

Reaching to   hostel Gargi was very excited  to show her  new purse ,just bought  on the very day ,to her roommates . But she  searched and searched  inside  the  big bag ,for carrying  books and copies , but in  vain .

Roommate (Looking eagerly ) commented : A-ww.   it'sgone , now it must be owned by the wife or girlfriend of the pickpocket. 

Gargi sat sadly . She looked tired :  "you know, I bought it from the fancy  showroom of the College Street.  It attracted me from the showcase ; I entered  the shop and bought that exotic  purse   which was Quite expensive for a student . But I needed  some new to replace the old one;  ( she ,as if, justified herself for being extravagant   )  I emptied  my old shaggy purse  for that new one .Then I   Put my two library cards of the  university ,another one of the British Library ,and 3 copies of passport sized  photo into the new purse   but not a single penny was left for  the  purse !Because I spent all the money for it.

While putting the new purse   inside my side bag  safely , I imagined  proudly that it  would be 'Owner's pride and neighbour's envy" .....

Roommate  snatched the conversation:"HA-,Ha ha ""  Pride has  now crowned to somebody else's    fortune......

Other roommate added :  the thief  must shower a plethora of abusing words for you,  for not having   a single penny and  that too , a lady's purse which would be of no use for him !   You have spoiled his toilsome   risky effort  of the day !

Gargi  became irritated with this jokes .  She murmured  sadly "it was too uncommon to find the  second one !  She had  to bother for issuing  new  library cards  for having access to the library But   she was really anxious  to think of her  address  and photos which evidenced  her  personal informations;  If the pickpocket belonged  to  gang and tried  to exploit  her  ! She  heard  Calcutta  was a notorious place  for professional pick pocket  gang who are trained ( in   special institute ) under gang leader. She was worried 

It made the  roommates  also worried ,they  came near her to   console , sincerely .   

Kajol, one of the roommate ,Said ,'my uncle is chief inspector in Lal Bajar Police Station. Let me report him the fact and ask for his suggestion !

 ( Scene-111)

After passing two days in tension,  Gargi got a parcel  delivered from the Post office . She opened it curiously and screamed   in surprise and joy to see her lost  new purse  !  She hurriedly pulled the chain to open all the folders and relieved  to see everything in place  But she found out an additional envelop  in one of the folder.   She  unfolded the paper which was actually a note for her :

"Hey, penny-pinching lady,  don't you feel ashamed to move with empty purse, wretched than a beggar?  I have to spend   even the postage   from my own pocket! Such a disgraceful instance in the biographical history of pickpockets  in the world !"

" Gargi commented emotionally,  

" Thank god !  honesty is not eloped   still from this earth !

Kajol  grinned and winked eyes to other roommate  to say ,

' no god  to thank at all , my friend !  It is your "photo"left inside the purse ! 

....Hmm,  what to  expect next ?” 

I am sure  very soon a love letter  from this   Roam-antique  fellow will come addressing  you :

Hello , Heart-picker [or broker/breaker ?] ,  ..........

Gargi  blew the rolled newspaper to her...

--" you mean, silly creature !'. . ..

 

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Sipra's Diary: FABLE OF A FROG : #. #. #.Trauma of the Poor Frog......

                  # Trauma Of A poor Frog.

 A young frog,  promoted from tadpole, 

 Out of the shabby pond; hated to be a frog,

As he met a beautiful butterfly 

Who  captured his heart  instantly.

He hopped to follow the beauty

Until it flew too high  to view for his ability.

He blamed rejection is due for being so ugly.

He hated to hop or rejoice  with his flock  

With chorus croaking for juvenile mating

In the first roaring, romantic rainy season!

So in lamentation, rested  his bruised butt 

In a  muddy burrow and  slept in sorrow!

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                               #2) 

 The sad frog met his love in the sweet dream

 Wiping his tears with her soft silky wings;

 Thrilled in romance he couldn't resist but to kiss;

 Alas!it went in the dark cave of his gut with the kiss!

 He woke up with hiccups ;but slept, thinking it merely  a dream.....

His reverted sticky tongue was good to prey worms, 

But glad to know that it was perilous to play romance !

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                                  #(3)

He was raging in fury  for such  injustice .

'Hey cruel creator of frog! why are you so frugal

To make me handsome and  little bit  lovable ?

Why have you given me three chambered heart,

While  I fail anybody in life to attract  ?

 Any rejection make my heart painful

  It turns me like a punctured balloon!

I want to cherish kiss, not to swallow as monster

I bear this wretched life for  six million years!

 Now Change me having sweet voice and wings !

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                                #(4) 

The frog achieved  his desired 'form'  in dream,

Went in delight to his clan who stared at  him !

''Look at me!I am your new leader, the prince with wings;

I will  marry a butterfly  to change  ugly generation to likings!"

..One of them challenged " neither avian nor an amphibian 

Tell me first who  are you, what's your name !

Prince-frog  whistled  proudly making  his clan more perplexed ! 

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                              #(5)

Coming back aggressive to confront  the creator,   

-"Oye! My wings are too fragile to carry my weight,

And whistling voice fails to convey the pals my thoughts!

Most puzzling  problem to answer what is 'my name?'

Why did you ditch me in such plethora of problems?"

-"Creature like you should be  named as"grumbletonia"!

As you hate your own body having lots of complain!

I create with utmost love this bright and beautiful world  ; 

Though I care for all but not responsible for their survival.

While you reign  even the  extinct of  dinosaurs and dragon,

Is not it amazing?  So  be happy with what you own!

                                  

The frog woke up with the  melodious croaking of his mates,

Coming out from  'trauma'  he croaked to join the flock 

To his delight he received response of  his  potential partner ! 

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Sipra's Diary:[Reposted ]. SENSORY ORGANS .

 

                                         Sensory organ [from realization]     Sipra Roy 

We have five sensory organs, nose for breathing,,  ear for listening eyes for seeing, skin for touch-feeling, tongue for tasting .Out of these five organs who evolved first ? Did they evolve simultaneously at the same time?

I was watching animal planet  in TV;   some animals have two or three fingers while human has five; both in fore limbs and hind limbs; So it flashed in my mind that  all these organs of living beings evolved gradually according to the necessity and influence of the     environment.Who was the first among sensory organs to evolve first?.......

I think that skin which. is the covering of body  is the first one to evolve .  Skin was full of pores or outlet  which was the source of breathing, hearing, seeing,  tasting . About 5oo to 6oo  million years ago earthworm burrowed on the seafloor ;may be they are the key to the evolution of living kingdom.

Darwin noted earthworm are extremely sensitive to vibrations. Fossil is the common ancestor of all worms .Earthworms are the best tiller of earth.Their body had sects,if a portion of it is cut ,it is replaced by  new growth . Skin gave proxy to all other senses;  even procreation.

In course of time hearing organ came out ;  as  division of labour enables one to be better able and  efficient;  so after hearing, breathing   organ  evolved   Most probably, hearing and breathing evolved simultaneously at the same time; then  mouth came up to consume food.. Eyes were the latest organ to evolve . Eyes and ear  performed combined  the  job of brain .   

So skin  is the source or  prime  powerhouse to the origin of  ear to hear,  nose to  breath,  eyes  to see,   and mouth to eat& taste .  As soon as the  eyes opened  the "data' ' informations "started to collect in the storage box which is known  later as brain .  

  Eyes are the   first  source of all disaster! In conversation we often use that 'at  last eyes opened', which means awareness  or the  agility of brain to catch  up experiences     . "Eyes opened "declares the dominance of sensory organs over the depth of inner SPIRIT OR soul.

  Power of sight  created   sensual desire of choice for  liking & disliking.  The prime relationship between all living organisms  was food  ( either eat or to be eaten ) and sex ;  Before the origin of eyes whatever comes within the range of  living organisms they ate and also  they mate without any   discrimination. Now as they learnt to move they chased  after their choice of food and sex; This movement created heat and electricity in body.

Eyes enabled them to differentiate which one gives more satisfaction to the senses .All these happened in a time when the world was occupied mostly with water.   The food charged heat and electricity which in turn created sex in body .At the very beginning there was no male or female sex. Each and every  singular body contained   the double sex in themselves. The best example  of our known worm or insect is earthworm.   Many. other  lower- living milli-meter sized small   insects also  are able to reproduce . Fish of deep ocean were able to produce male part  from their own body when they  felt  to reproduce . So life proliferated from singularity in the beginning .

Plants who  are our  primitive  ancestors also provide the  same  truth.

   A childhood  experience  about "Lojjaboti lata"(=a creeper plant), flashes in my mind as I am writing.  I and my friend hid ourselves , while playing ,behind  a   Calvert which was covered by green creeper with superfine leaves. My friend said ,"Do you notice the fun?  As She touched the creeper  all the leaves of the creeper folded as if they fell into   sudden sleep . With surprise I started to touch  the all parts of the creeper  to make the leaves sleep .I was surprised and  felt  it more exciting than the game of hide and seek. My friend whispered this is known as  'touch-me-not"creeper. But the leaves awake within short period .That was a great fun to learn about plant . 

With the help of  ear,   eyes formed  the 'first'. basement of  brain. Ear, nose, throat  are so closely related that  they  respond to one another; they are accessaries of brain . In medical science  we take appointment to ENT doc for the related problem  in any one of them. Pituitary gland is very important ; It is a pea-sized organ, housed  in the bony structure at the base of brain ; it is the master gland ; it drive the other glands to release hormones in all vital parts like brain ,skin, energy , vision, blood pressure, reproductive organs etc.In one word it is the power house of a body.

We take little care about our ear which is the main  source of knowledge .In acupuncture treatment the doctor treated in this area to treat any part of the body. It is same as. the main  switch -box  suppling electricity connected  to the whole nervous system of our body.

Animals use the five sensory organs differently according to their need and ability. Say for instance: bats use their ears to see; moles use their nose to dig mud to shelter while the elephants  use their. trunk/nose for bath , snakes use their mouth both to breath and swallow; chamelions have fantastic sight  and capacity to hide  by camofladging;  scents and color of flowers  attract the   butterfly; Sometime they use scent as trap .They use the sense-organ to protect themselves from predators; animals with .whiskers around mouth work like antenna ;The   hair/ fur  of polar bear in the arctic region conserve  heat of the sun like optic fibre wire  to keep the body warm in cold.....Dogs'. skin  don't sweat ;they gasp and drooling tongue keep their body cool.

 The story of the Mughal emperor Akbar's experiment is suitable example to prove the importance of ear. Akbar himself was illiterate but he was no less than a pandit ; He learnt  only  by listening from the wise  pandit .Once there was dispute among the people about language  : Which language was god-given and noblest of all. 

To solve the problem, Akbar the Great  ordered his minister to collect 10 babies of six months  from the parents  who  have  unique  linguistic difference  and. to keep these ten babies in ten different  sound proof chambers under proper baby-care.  Only the ten deaf and dumb   care-takers. were  appointed  to take care  for. those  babies.  These babies belong to the parents who  followed the language of   Urdu ,Farsi,  Sanskrit ,  Pali, Maithily , brojobuli and some local ,even tribal language. When  the babies  became  five years old.  they were presented in the royal court.  

The court was overcrowded   of the mass  with  high pitch of excitement . To their disappointment  it was found that  all.  those. ten babies  were deaf and dumb ;  none of them could speak  in any language at all .Thus the emperor convinced the common people  that no language could  claim superior to other as  "God's language". All languages were equal.The baby learn  that language  which they listen from the parent or in environment ;  if  they hear nothing as  sound of language   from the beginning of birth ,they would learn  nothing .

         Though. some. people were not happy , but  they couldn't argue Thus  Akbar the Great  solved the dispute of language  peacefully . He was able to run on with  the same "FARSI".  as court language of the country.He reigned from 1556 to  1605 as most popular Mughal emperor,  in spite of being illiterate but wise  only by  listening. He wrote a book named "Akbar-E-Nama" to compromise the conflict  between Hindu-ism and  Islamist.

Sipra's Diary:Stinky Eyes[ July ,2024]Repost

 

 

                 Can eyes be "stinky" ever?  Do eyes have smelling power?

.........Sure. Why not?  If ears and nose can  posses   more powers besides   merely hearing and smelling ,what holds   back  the eyes?   When we  hear the sound of thunder or    some barking  , We can visualize  the sky or a dog nearby .   Similarly we can distinguish the odor of  dead rotten rodent  or fragrance  from   roses from a distance.  There is  such great cooperation between our five senses   that often  they give proxy aptly for the other one ,if   required.  Among our five senses e.g. smell,  ,touch, taste  listening. and seeing , eyes are not only most. powerful but also most cunning  among five senses..

 ......'so  eyes  are opened now' is a well known cliche; , when somebody  becomes aware of his  mistake ; it  means clearing the  ignorance  of slumber, wisdom dawns ;  light  of   true knowledge is  reflected  through eyes. 

Personally, I think eyes acted  as first 'brain' in collaboration with other five senses .It was like the big boss (figuratively) of any corporate company . At  the beginning there was only one eye on the center of facial  top.  It was not enough   to protect own safety or  surveying around broadly.  So. later on , two eyes on the two sides of nose appeared  . The   first. eye  still  exists on the   center  of  our forehead  ;  it  gradually   became invisible  under   skinny  cover ; It is now known as  "Third  Eye".  It is very powerful. It  has intuitive   power;   It has the ability to  apprehend the near future.    The   ancient Yogis  of  India concentrated    deeply   and meditate   on this   Third    Eye :with concentrated mind in meditation the Yogi  could  roam  in their 'subtle' body  in  celestial sphere ....... ..without any rocket ;it is hard to  even  imagine for us !

But ,  let me come back to the point of  'stinky eye'.   We are all aware of   strong   unfriendly  evil looks   that  glanced from stinky eyes

   .Eyes can convey any message efficiently;  they  own this power far before the origin of  language . All emotions ,:love or hate, fear and jealousy, joy or sorrows, enthusiasm  or lethargy are reflected  in eyes without speech.  Eyes of babies are full of innocence ; Just opposite to  devils 'look  that glitter in greed .

The character or mind of a person  can be studied from the glance of eyes . Eyes are the mirror of mind.   This is why snap-shot   of eyes are recorded   in   the  airport  customs-checking  for  the verification of   identity.

I remember one day young couple visited us with their son who was about three years' old.  The kid was touching and playing with the decoration pieces from my show-case almirah; by chance  he dropped and broke some esoteric piece . Though I was   little sad at the behavioral pattern of the unruly boy , I patted the  little boy and said ,"It is fine ,don't worry!" His mother pointed a chair for him.and asked  to sit quietly .  Suddenly the boy cried loudly and embraced  my waist  ;I asked worriedly,"What happen ,why are you crying ?"   

The boy complained with tearful eyes ,"My mother is beating";  

I laughed and replied ,  'Your mother is sitting  on the other side of the center table, far from you ; how can she beat you?  I don't see  her even to  touch you !"

He   still continued  crying and  embarrassed   the  poor mother  by divulging , 

" Yes believe me ,  she is beating me with her eyes! She will punish me severely  after going back to home!"

......Secret of  eye -message came into light to us all!........

Eyes enjoy  lions'. share  in   cases  of love affair . "Love at first sight "  between couple happens  not only in Romantic  novel   but   also random  in our regular   practical life.

Whether platonic love or satanic, momentary or eternal, marital or extra-marital, facebook or whats' App, even latest  bumble or tinder love,  eyes   as cupid  act  multiple roles . Eyes not only dupe   others   with   pretension   but also become victim of  deception  as   sometimes forget  the   warning ,"all that glitters is not gold.' 

 Most women from fourteen   to  late forty's  in their lives have become  victim   several times to  some stinky eyes . Sexy glance from an undeserved person is always shunned with hatred  by women  as they  sense  emitting  foul smell .Both male or female are well aware  of stinky eyes  as receivers,  in the matter of  romance or sex.The   Only  difference is that most women hate and shun it ; while the  male  seem to  be elated  and enjoy it!

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Sipra's Diary:"Best Selling " in literature.

 

                                                            

                   Literature.  by Sipra Roy.  

In the library I see lot of books  marked with "best-selling" award.

I often think what's the criteria of  judging 'as best' to be awarded!.......

I don't  have that  feeling  with  many of them.  

Is it theme? language? or reader's satisfaction? or....? 

When I was sent first time as jaudge in the inter district school contest of recitation in India, I needed. to  learn  and prepare. myself to be judge.

  There were total 6-8 specially qualified  persons selected as judges.   Each judge was given a paper-sheet  marked with separate column  for marking : i.g. Formalities/ time  /voice/ body-language/ poem/ intonation etc.  We gave marks with individual prudence in each column. At the end those papers were collected from the judges by chief   judge . Rank holders  were decided and awarded on the basis of calculating of  average marks given by the   selected judges.

     I don't know exactly the   system of America. But  still I have high opinion of this country which I wish to hold  on.

Socrates once  commented that  in coming future wise would  hold their tongue to remain silent , so that  the ignorant don't feel inferior or insulted.

  Has  that  future mentioned by Socrates approached ?....

In the marketing business books are of course commercial product.But there must be specific criteria   to distinguish any "Creative art " from other commercial commodity product.   Creative art should never be  democratized.  

Per millennium how many Socrates, Plato. Aristotle, Leonardo,

 Darwin, Galileo or Newton  or Shakespeare  were  born?

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                                I read the novel "Good Earth" of Pearl Buck  at the age of early twenty, almost  in my previous birth from  now.It was mini novel. I was   impressed so vividly  by the  very first chapter of  description  of   preparing tea ,  that almost every morning  I visualize, ( not only remember) :  how the tea-leaves unfurl in the boiling water of saucepan,    and spread  around  to  hide  /cover   water under the leaves ;the steam with aroma carried by air conveyed the message  of warm hospitality  to the other room where the old father-in-law with his friends were  chatting!

This is what  literature means! ...........

Which has the intrinsic power to  flow with the blood of the reader to mesmerize the mind!... Since then  perhaps  I relish my regular  morning tea  from "GOOD  EARTH".

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             DREAM &DRAGON.  by  Sipra Roy

   Dream and dragon seem contrast as beauty and beast;

   One is charming, while the other is terrifying!

   It is our fallacy of thought to assume and imagine

   Dreams to bring only joy for pleasing!

   Dreams appear only in sleep  as subconscious 

  Mind floats upward giving rest to the waking mind,

 The dreamers enjoy the free movie in sweet dream.

When we are chased by dragon in nightmare

and can't budge a little but wake up from sleep,

With lot of sweat and eerie whimpering!

So dream is not free from the dragon of  nightmare

Kith and kin both belong to the same family!

It is wonder why do we dream during sleep?

Plato,Aristotle explained  dream as great gift

To cherish the unfulfilled desire that is unreachable,

Dream releases shame, fear, untold secrets

And makes mind free as floating clouds.

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Urmila's Diary: Haiku BLACK LIVES MATTER

                                       

                                "BLACK LIVES MATTER" [. Haiku]

                           The fact is all lives equally matter

                        Why this country occasionally suffocates

                                Being victim of “black” fever?

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Sipra's Diary: Tribute To 4th July[poem+memoir ]. 2024

 

            

             Title:  Spirit Of 4th July in  America      

       'Oh  say, can you see',what lie ahead,

       Standing under  the pressure

       Of undesired piles of crises

       Are you perturbed or Afraid?

              

      Oh America, what a great test

      Now that  you need to select,

      whether  you would chose  to be hunchback

      Bankrupt father of the opulent immigrants

      Or, a solvent capitalist leader of the Nation,

     To take care of the country with allround vision?

     At the dawn of your young   days

     You famed as a 'nation of immigrants'!

     But long back,you achieved to ride on

     By your own; stood up as savior with valour;

     As asylum that is  too overburdened

     To shelter now  anymore!

    Oh, Time summons you to pitch deeper

    In the heart of the Nation

    The star spangled banner

    That waves with reminder:

    Each bright star is the symbol

    For each state  that was rescued

   At the cost of blood and lives of  the  ancestors,

   Who sailed  through the stormy ocean,

   Crossed the desert and mountain,

   Marched bruised,on prickly thorn,

   To bestow peace and freedom to the Nation!

Oh Nation,

What treasure  do you restore

For the ancestors  as tribute?

Can you  promise  to retain

Their pride, power, prosperity and peace?

How much to expect

From this 'Humpdty Dumpty' diverse nation?

Are they willing to chant  together

 In chorus tune again

 'God  bless  America!' 

                          

                          

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                   **    My First Experience of 4th July in America.

            I came to US first time in May 1999, just in the last millennium and before stepping of the current( 'the then' advent of new millennium').I was very much excited to think of witnessing the Independence day in the biggest democratic country, being physically present. It was West Virginia.

In India 15th August, the Independence Day is celebrated with enormous enthusiasm;  all around prevails a joyful feeling of festivity! All the school children with white dress reach the school premise within 7:45. AM.  The flag is hoisted between 8AM to 8:15with the national anthem 'Jana-Gana-mana', bugle and drum-beat. As the flag goes up to unfurl, a bunch of flowers drop from the folded flag. After the inspiring talks are delivered about the lives and sacrifices of the patriots and martyrs. People/students pay homage to their memory. The ceremony usually ended within 11AM with the distribution of some sweets and snacks. Not only schools and colleges but all institutions, court, offices follow this tradition sincerely.
With this picture in my mind, I dressed up myself and set out with my husband at 7 o'clock. My daughter screamed from her bed in a sleepy voice,
" where are you going? Today is a holiday ;  Here nobody
gets up before 10AM on holiday."                                                                                                                                                        "idle girl!" I murmured in my mind and pushed my husband silently to hurry up. We proceeded towards the City hall, downtown. We walked throughout the lonely and silent road. In every turn of the hilly road, I was expecting curiously to hear the cheering voice of school students and people.
My enthusiasm began to fade when I reached near the deserted city-hall.
It was an 8:30.No trace of any people.

 My husband said,"My daughter was right, you didn't listen to her."
I replied "Perhaps we reached too early; let us wait up to 9-o'clock"
 We walked towards the front side of the city hall and saw the national flag tied up to the pole. The flag seemed to be quite old; no scattered flowers under the pedestal of the flag.

 " Oh, see, the flag has been hoisted before we came";
my husband exclaimed!
  I said,"never, we reached here before 8: AM".
"It seems the  city-mayor did  it yesterday night to avoid getting up from sleep early morning on holiday."

I laughed  & laughed to hear his comment, breaking the morning silence.
Actually, my husband wanted to leave the place as he missed the morning tea before coming; and here also he didn't find any hope, as no tea- stall was visible.
I felt for him; so I said  sympathetically,
"let us go to the pole to bow down near the National flag of US; maybe we will never  get the chance of coming on this day!"
" That's a good idea!"My husband answered cheerfully at the thought of going back to home.

Then we were looking all around in search of any stall for morning tea.
Now I noticed a man with tattered clothes leaning in the corner of the wall of the hall with two empty bottles of liquor  between his stretched legs; he seemed to be heavily drunk. I am scared of a drunkard and mad people. So I turned back swiftly to step down the stairs and leave the place. Near the corner of the stairs under a big shady tree, another man came to our notice who was fumbling the huge trash-can;  I can hear him murmuring and laughing softly; He also seemed drunk and mad both,  .. but divinely a happy man!
In the midway of the street, we saw, on our way back, some well-dressed gentlemen and women coming from the opposite side.
I hopefully said, 'see, people are now started coming; it is 9:35, the celebration will be at 10:00PM, as my daughter told.
But those people entered in a church by the roadside, disapproving my guess.
We came back home with much disappointment.
My daughter, still lying in bed, giggled," I told you, It is holiday, nobody will be seen before 10:0'clock!  Did you see  anything happening?"
 My husband promptly replied, "yes-yes, only two happiest persons.  of this country : a mad beggar and a drunkard!
My daughter replied," Oh, you will see them always in the downtown.'
I put the tray of steaming tea and toast in front of him.
 My first experience of 4th July often comes back to my mind on Independence Day, with some dismay.
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