Sparky's World: 19 - Sparky’s ‘What just happened?’ World

Hello, Sparky here.

Ø The rains were mostly on a break this week. The first completely dry day we couldn’t believe our luck. We wondered if after Mr. Goldback, it was Mother Nature herself who was out to fulfill Civvy’s wish. A second straight dry day and our sullen moods began to look up just as a seed within the earth germinates and a little sapling peeps out of the earth to see what’s up there. As the dry days extended for a third day, having stuffed ourselves making the most of the 2 previous days we began to make plans - to visit friends, to make new friends, go exploring and so on. We even ended up having a literary meeting. But as the dry streak extended and we started feeling like the summer heat was making a comeback, we wondered if Civvy hadn’t jinxed the weather by wanting summer in rainy season. That’s how mind plays tricks. It happens.

Ø If you remember, almost all the residents of Banyan Island have been uncomfortable about the kind of welcome we extended Mr. & Mrs. Woolly-necks, the woolly-necked stork couple. This week finally something happened to reverse that but not before there was some drama around it. Sometimes that’s the way things pan out. It happens.

Ø On one of the dry days – let me mention at the outset, it was a very windy day – Civvy and Kiwi were exploring the Banyan tree and had reached the other end of the Banyan where the Woolly-necks’ nest is located. As per their narration later on, I gather that the parents were away and there were 2 very little chicks in the nest. Civvy and Kiwi said hello to them and began chatting with the young birds only to realise before long that the chicks were yet too small to be able to communicate. Just then a gust a wind almost knocked the monkeys off the branch and the birds from their nest. One of the birds flipped out of the nest and was holding onto the nest by a stick that was jutting out of the nest. Civvy and Kiwi quickly steadied themselves and rushed to help the struggling bird. Just as they were helping the bird, one of the adult birds came flying to the nest, saw the chick hanging by a stick and the 2 monkeys trying to reach the chick. It probably looked like the baby monkeys were pushing the baby out of the nest. One angry squawk from the parent and the monkeys, terrified by the size of the adult bird ran away from the nest. Since no one was on talking terms with the Woolly-necks there was no way of knowing what the birds felt about the entire episode. In any case, they did not come to talk about this with anyone.

Ø Civvy and Kiwi were quite upset by the whole experience. Young minds are very perceptive and they probably perceived the adult bird’s displeasure and were upset that their intention to help had been misconceived. They had a long chat with their mothers who consoled them. They were more in need of counseling, as the kind of questions they kept asking were – Did they do something wrong by trying to help the bird? Should they encounter a similar situation what were they to do? Try and help or for fear of being misjudged just leave the scene? When sensitive young minds start to ask questions it becomes very difficult to answer them satisfactorily. This too happens.

Ø Kiwi’s mother wanted to go to Mr. & Mrs. Woolly-necks and explain what had happened but Mr. Goldback shook his head and said, “We had misjudged them when we had seen them near the crocodile, this time Civvy & Kiwi have got themselves into exactly a similar situation. There just isn’t explaining this away, only time will have to unravel their misconception.

Ø As providence would have it, such a time did come to pass and within a week too. Just a couple of days after the above incident, Civvy & Kiwi were again off exploring the further end of the Banyan when they heard loud screeching sounds. They saw one of the adult Woolly-necks sitting on the nest and turning his head to and from as if looking for something. The monkeys wanted to keep their distance but unable to restrain their curiosity they did move a little closer to have a better look. That is when they spotted one of the chicks which had fallen into a thicket of intertwined branches on the Banyan. Kiwi squeaked and pointed the chick to the adult bird. The other parent also joined as the first bird tried to get to the chick, but the big bird couldn’t reach the chick through all the branches and leaves. The monkeys pushed themselves through the dense growth, got the chick out and put it back in the nest. One can surely imagine the gratitude the parent storks must have felt then. The Woolly-necks were probably relieved and quickly grunted a thank you and began tending to the chicks, so the monkeys quietly left the spot. Sometimes grief overwhelms and sometimes relief. It does happen.

Ø As the baby monkeys finished their first narration of the incident, Mr. & Mrs Woolly-necks came over to where the monkeys and a few of us had gathered around. They introduced themselves and not only thanked the little monkeys but also the mothers and Mr. Goldback. When asked of Civvy & Kiwi if there was anything they could give them as a token of their gratitude, Civvy said he would like to fly like the storks. For a moment there was stunned silence while many wondered about the weird request and the rest of us tried to figure out how the Woolly-necks would receive such a bizarre request. But the next moment the parent Storks had exchanged a look and had made their way to the baby monkeys. Civvy & Kiwi got on to the birds and were off into the air before either the mothers or Mr. Goldback could protest. After almost 3 minutes the birds came back with their riders - windswept but otherwise safe. Now, this is not something that happens every day. In fact, it left us all wondering – ‘what just happened?’

Now, you can imagine what Civvy & Kiwi were talking about for the rest of the day and rest of the week. The week has ended but their recollections haven’t stopped growing richer by the day. If I were to list down all their recollections here, it would read like a fairy tale.

Here are a few activities for this week if you too like us, need a break from fairy tales and tall tales.

Solve the riddles one by one and get a word that solves another riddle.

	Little children sing of them, Have been compared to a precious gem, But we know so little of them.
	Do this, go to new places, meet new people, Go around the world, let it make an imprint, But be ever mindful of your carbon footprint.
	Life is not this, slow down. Living life on the fast track could blow you up.
	I am a very hard working creature, Not a bee, but have similar family structure.
	Of these and pleasant things there’s no dearth, Open your mind and find everything to please and delight.
	Take time to meet & greet, Don’t practice conceit or deceit. Be Compassionate and kind. You will be called this and always have peace of mind.
	Of mountains I am the king, At my summit, there’s absolutely nothing. Still people queue up to climb me, like it is something.
	The final riddle – first letter of the answers above will also solve this riddle below:
	Odd and peculiar, the word can also mean ‘unfamiliar’.

Analogical reasoning questions. Fill in the blanks by understanding the relation between the words in the first column and then extending the same to the word in the third column.

Butterfly : Monarch	::	Cobra : _______
Battles : History	::	Star : ________
Ribbon : Gift	::	Icing : _______
Lion : Courage	::	Dove : _______
Coffee : Seed	::	Tea : _______
Chef : Food	::	Painter : _________
Aeroplane : Air	::	Submarine : ______
Laboratory : Microscope	::	Ship : ________
Needle : Haystack	::	Nail : ________
Null : Void	::	Nuts : ________

Match the idioms with their meaning:

Nick of time	Given low priority.
Needle in a haystack	Something which causes lot of unexpected trouble.
On the back-burner	Very simple and easy.
On back-foot	Decline an offer for now.
Game plan	Face a problem directly and boldly.
Take a rain-check	Do something at the very last minute.
Take a bull by its horns	A strategy.
Pandora’s box	An almost impossible task.
Pass the buck	At a disadvantage.
Easy as ABC	Avoid taking responsibility.

‘Little readers’ Section’

Animals usually blend in to their habitat either because they don’t want to be seen by their prey or because they want to hide from the ones who hunt them. Here are a few photographs where the animals are almost hidden. Could you spot the animals, also try to identify the animals.

‘Reader’s Write’

Here’s the second and concluding part of the story written by Mr. Shivam Jotish Pillai. Shivam is studying in 7^th grade in Delhi Public School, Doha.

Leo and the Time Machine

Leo and his grandfather started working on the time machine a month later.

After a lot of hard work when the time machine was finally ready Leo cried in joy and his grandfather was proud of Leo. Leo’s grandfather said “See, it is not impossible” and then Leo said “Yes, you were right grandfather.”

Leo really loved dinosaurs. So, Leo asked if they could go to the Cretaceous period. His grandfather said that he was busy that day so could they go there the next day. Leo replied “yes.” and as it was night already they went to sleep.

When Leo woke up in the morning he ate his breakfast quickly and was ready to leave. His grandfather was a bit tired and when they called the doctor home, the doctor said that Leo’s grandfather was sick. So Leo thought he would go on his own. When he checked with his grandfather he said, “Yes you can go but take care.” So, Leo took his backpack and went to the basement. He was ready and excited but also a bit nervous. Leo had a positive mind and he believed nothing would go wrong. Leo started the time machine and then it teleported him to the Cretaceous period. Leo saw many dinosaurs and even took photos. He really liked the baby triceratops. It was so calm and nice to Leo.

Leo didn’t want to stay there for a long time because his grandfather was ill and there was no one to take care of him so Leo returned home before midnight. Leo was also very tired and hungry so when Leo reached home he ate his dinner with his grandfather and then went to bed. Leo woke up a little late the next day because of his ‘dinosaur journey’ when Leo woke up he ate his breakfast and was thinking he would visit his mother through the time machine. When Leo teleported to that time Leo came to know that his mother had passed away in a car accident. Poor Leo was crying so much and then Leo went to his grandfather and asked “why did you lie to me about my mom?” Leo’s grandfather was speechless then he said, “You were too young to understand then, in fact, I thought I would tell you this in a couple of weeks”. Leo’s grandfather gave Leo a hug and asked “how did you know about this?” Leo replied, “By the time machine.” Leo’s grandfather said “I am sorry” then Leo replied, “It’s not your fault” then his grandfather said “there are more challenges in life but you should never give up” and Leo nodded his head

And that was the story of Leo and the Time Machine

________________________________________________

See you all next week with more news, activities and answers to this week’s puzzles.

In the meanwhile, if you would like to write to me, email me at Sparkyatbanyan@gmail.com

Answers to last week’s puzzles:

Solve the riddles one by one and get a word that solves another riddle. The final word describes our present situation where we are longing for the jackfruit and also summer.

Rest	This regenerates the body and refreshes the mind, If overdone, it rusts the body and blunts the mind.
Engaged	Always keep your brain this, Else, the brain will soon lose its fizz. The maxim, ‘use it or lose it’, to brain too, it applies.
Sharing	To do this is to show that you care, Doing it in hard times, is like a ‘character-testing’ snare.
Tear	This word, with the word above rhymes, By force to pull apart, it means.
Imagine	In the rainy season, you can summon a sunny day, You just have to do this and wish the dullness away.
Vacation	If you can’t do the above, do this. Pack your bags and go over to the other hemisphere.
Entice	If you are being persuaded to do something, then beware, Nothing good ever comes out of it, it will only catch you unaware. ‘Sour grapes’ is a great idiom to think of then, even if they were to say you have the brain of a hare.
	The final riddle – first letter of the answers above will also solve this riddle below:
RESTIVE	The word has the word which means to relax, sleep and recover, But the word means you don’t have any of it whatsoever. You are impatient, dissatisfied, restless and hot in pleasant November.

The crossword puzzle of the week is on fruits – as we are all dreaming of fruits.

Similar looking words which ‘could be confusing’:

1. Good company and good food are bare essentials to tide over the dull days of the rainy season.

2. Mr. Goldback bears the responsibility of a leader very cheerfully.

3. Mr. Goldback ensures that his family is well protected from any danger.

4. Presence of mature trees insures that we have food and shade in plenty no matter what the vagaries of the season.

5. When the rain pours down, it’s best to safely sit it out in our homes.

6. Sometimes when Udra & Samudra pore over their books, almost stationary it makes us wonder if they remembered to eat and rest.

7. The other day Gumphu ran out of her favourite black ink but fortunately for her the otters always have a stock of stationery with them.

‘Little readers’ Section

From the photos below, could you identify the seasons?

19 - Sparky’s ‘What just happened?’ World

No comments:

Post a Comment