Dozens of anthills in my garden are witness to the thriving ant population in all its variation under the blazing summer sun. Hats off to the inhabitants who go about their daily lives oblivious to the soaring mercury, power-cuts, absence of ACs or chilled water!
“A Badam (Almond) tree in the plains is quite a novelty”, my father told me; and for a ten year old it became a matter of pride and adoration. The young tree spread its roots and announced its approval of living conditions in our Lucknow garden with a flourish of dewy foliage. Glossy parrot-green leaves draped the tree, ignoring the diktat of the summer sun. It grew like the magical beanstalk in the Grimm’s Fairy Tale ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
Living right next to the Lucknow Zoo, I’m beginning to doubt my residential address; thanks to the monkey brigade in my courtyard! The morning wake-up roar of the lions and call of the Hooku bander used to a distant reminder of the neighbourhood, but ever since the advent of the Rhesus family amongst us, we feel part and parcel of the Zoo itself, though a paradigm shift is involved: the monkeys are free and we are caged as long as they are around!
In his books, Ruskin Bond talks about his longing for the jolly sight of Amlatas, Gulmohar and Jacaranda during his jaunt abroad. Sure enough, he returned to India as soon as he had made enough money for the journey home. The Amaltas adds many a mellow moment to a casual onlooker’s perceptions in this big beautiful world!