Horrific Memories of Childhood Incidents

It was the period when I was studying in higher secondary school at Chennai. It was Summer holidays after yearly examinations were over. Those were the days when you have no responsibilities and only enjoyment You find plenty of time and no work to do.

Most of the day time was spent playing and wandering with friends. It was the season of mangoes and sapota or chiku. These fruits used to be largely grown in almost every house or garden. They were very sweet, tasteful and alluring to your eyes. Our school also had a large garden behind it along the railway line. Fruits used to hang over from trees nearer to the boundary wall from the railway line side. Children used to prick the fruits by climbing over the walls and holding the branches of trees during hot summer day times with out the knowledge of the gardener. Some times, when he noticed them he used to shout and frighten them with sticks and they used to run away.

Some days were spent wandering along the railway track from one station to another station which used to be 1.5 km apart from one another. The locality where we lived was Mambalam station. And we used to go towards Saidapet and Guindy stations which were not densely populated in those times. Mambalam was a center of the city of Madras ( now known as Chennai ). T.Nagar was located nearer to Mambalam. Guindy was nearer to Adyar where world famous Banyan Tree of enlightenment was an attractive tourist spot.


One day it happened so.
We, 4-5 children, were walking on the railway tracks engaged in gossiping. On the way there was a bridge on a stream flowing across below it. Local people used to bathe in it and washer men used to wash clothes there.We were walking over it and most of us reached the other end. But one was lagging behind and suddenly a train came from behind before he could cross the bridge. As it approached very silently, all of us were very much shocked and frightened to see it. We immediately shouted with terror at our friend who was lagging behind. He also got nervous and immediately he got hold of the side edge of the bridge and hanged down ward the bridge till the train crossed over the track to the other end. Then any how he was managed to get over the bridge by dragging him up with the help of some passers by who scolded all of us very terrifically.

 It was a very horrific moment of our lives and we never let the event known to our parents. All of us firmly  decided never again to wander along the railway tracks from that day onward. It was a great lesson for us.

The memory of it makes tremble for a moment even now.

Competition Spirit Among Children

Those were the days when I was studying in class 5 and 6. It was Mambalam locality of Madras City (now Chennai). Our School's name was Sharada Devi Higher Elementary School situated by the level crossing at Mambalam Railway Station on the road linking with T.Nagar Bus Stand. It consisted classes from 1st to 7th Standard.

Four students including me used to be toppers of our class in studies. All of us four used to get Distinction in our class. All of us were better known by our nick names than actual names among our class mates. So actual names were not remembered. The nick for me was Bhatta and the other topper boy was Mantravadi. The other two toppers were girls known as Vimla and Jyothi. The teachers liked us four and used to be proud of us.

All four of us have been class mates since beginning upto class VII. From which class we were together I am unable to recollect. But due to the group photo of our class mates as evident from this combined photo of class II and III, I am able to recollect that they were with me since class II or III or may be earlier also. But regarding the competition spirit among us, I remember that it was much during the years of our studying in class V, VI and VII.



The competition spirit was very much keen between us and each one tried his best to supersede the other three in obtaining the highest marks in each subject. And each one of us used to be very unhappy even if he got one mark lesser than the others. Mantravadi used to be more sensitive than us. The markings were some times done in fractions like 98 ⁱ/_{2 ,} 99¹/_2, 100 like this. Particularly in Maths and Science. So when he got half mark less than me or Vimla, he used to be weeping. We had to console him and tell him that he was as equally brilliant as us and we all belonged to the same rank and not to worry of a half mark or one mark But there was no jealously between us at all. All of us four used to be very friendly and go to each others' house and talk freely even with their parents also who loved us very much.

Such was the competition spirit and friendship between school children those days.

The Story of Dog and Meat

All of us know that Dogs are fond of meat of dead animals. They do not leave even the bones of them. They want to taste to the last bit of it.

A very hungry Dog was once wandering in search of food all through the day and found a piece of dry

meat at some corner of a lane. It picked it up and began to lick it very satisfactorily. Other dogs were watching everything from another corner of the lane and they began running towards our Dog barking loudly. 

Sensing danger, this Dog began running quickly to escape from them. But they did not leave. They wanted to grab the piece from his mouth and so chased for a long time. Our Dog was very fast and reached a far away canal and started running on its bridge to reach the other side. He stopped for a while and looked back. He found no chasers behind and their barks were fading away. He got much relieved.

Now, he was walking slowly looking hither thither. He looked down to the river. The water was very pure and standstill. Suddenly he got a glimpse of a dog in it. He looked again into the water to confirm. There he found a dog with a piece of meat in its mouth just like him. Seeing it, he got greedy and jealous. He wanted to grab that piece of meat also from that dog. He once again looked at it and found that dog also looking at him. He lost his senses and became very angry and shouted at the dog. Immediately, the piece of meat in his mouth lost the hold and fell into the waters of the canal and disappeared into the deep waters.

Our Dog was shocked at this happening. He lost even the one that he was having till now due to his greed.

So, one should not be greedy and behave senseless. This is the moral that we learn from this story.  

The story of Arrogant Lion and Clever Rabbit

Once upon a time, there lived a very proud and arrogant Lion in a forest (even now there are lions in forests). He used to hunt and kill animals irrespective of his hunger to spread fear among them and establish his supremacy and authority over them. All the animals were so much afraid of his tyranny and cruelty. They used to shiver on seeing him and escape from his sight. But often, they were unable to escape and fell prey to his clutches. They tried to request him many times not to kill them like that astray but in vain. They kept worrying how to get rid of him.

There was one clever Rabbit among them who used to give them good tips in all their bad times to solve their problems. All of the animals approached her and asked her help in getting rid of the Lion. The Rabbit told them not to worry as she would do something very soon to get rid of the Lion.

The next day, the Rabbit approached the Lion along with some other animals and put before him the reality that if he continued to kill all animals like this, one day he will be left with no animals to satisfy his hunger. The Lion realised this fact and began to think over it. Slowly, the Rabbit advised him that daily one animal will reach to him to be consumed as his food and requested him to keep satisfied with that one animal for the entire day and not to go to others' lives. She also made it clear that there will be no need for him to hunt and kill his prey. This appeared to be a very good suggestion and the Lion immediately agreed to it.

So, from that day onwards, one animal used to go to the Lion daily to satisfy his hunger and thereby save other animals from being killed unnecessarily. The Lion was very happy as he was not required to hunt for his prey and enjoyed the life joyfully for some days.

After a couple of days, the Rabbit's turn came to become his prey. The Rabbit was very happy to have his turn. She planned everything in advance and was in a very restful mood. She passed the time intentionally for sometime, so that the Lion may become restless and angry. Then slowly, she reached the Lion's den and pretended to be very weary and tense. The Lion was much impatient and angry.

"Where have you been all this time? Don't you know that I am getting hungry?" roared the Lion fiercely.

Rabbit replied pretending to be shivering " I started from house very early than others. But, midway, I was stopped by another Lion near an old well. He wanted to catch me and eat up. I requested him to leave me as I am going to satisfy the hunger of my king Lion who will be waiting for me with empty stomach. But he did not want to listen to me and tried to catch me. I managed to escape from him anyhow and all this late coming is the result of that incident. So, forgive me as it is not my fault."

The Lion got too much angry and shouted with terrible roaring "What? Do you say there is another Lion in this forest and he stopped you from coming to me? How could it be possible without my knowledge and how dare he stop you knowing that you are my food?"

Rabbit answered "Yes, my king. It is true. A Lion stopped me and he even tried to belittle you. But I told him that you are very powerful and will definitely kill him. But he only laughed and ridiculed."

"Show me that traitor immediately. I can't control my anger any more. I want to teach him a lesson just now. Lead me to him immediately" the Lion ordered the Rabbit.

So the Rabbit took the Lion with her to an old well which was very deep and had enough water in it and told him that the other Lion is presently inside that well.

The Lion immediately peeped into the well and found a lion just like him in that well. He was unable to know that it was only his image in the water.

Immediately he got fired up at the existence of a rival to him and jumped into the well without thinking any more to pounce upon his rival and kill him.

But LOL!!! It was only an image of himself in waters and as he jumped, it appeared as if that lion also was pouncing toward him. But, alas, finally he got no lion there and found himself drowned in the waters and unable to climb up. He roared for some time and then lost his life and died.

Hearing the news of their Lion's death, all the animals rejoiced and thanked the Rabbit for saving their lives. And the Rabbit was also happy to have saved their lives. Since then, they lived happily ever after.

Now, can you tell the moral of this story?

"It is not the size or strength of the body which matters. The strength of the mind matters".

Cleverness is greater than physical body strength.

The Story of Lion and A Rat - A Funny Tale

Hi, guys!
Do you know that rats are very tiny but clever and mischievous?

Here's a story to support this fact. You might have come across it in Panchatantra or Aesop's Fables.

One day, a lion was sleeping being much tired after tedious hunting. A rat thought of doing some mischief by running over the lion in a playful mood. It was enjoyed very much, but it was careless. The lion's sleep broke out and he got much disturbed and angry with the rat. So he caught hold of the tiny rat and looked at it very angrily.

"How dare you run over my body and disturb my sleep?"- the Lion roared.

"Sorry, sorry. I was simply playing and enjoying and not thought of disturbing or awakening you" Rat replied.

"I am not going to leave you. I will kill you and eat up" the Lion roared again.

Rat was much frightened at this.
"Sorry, sorry, forgive me this one time" it prayed.

"No, why should I forgive you?" the Lion roared.

"Please, leave me this time. I promise I shall be much grateful to you and help you when time comes" the Rat requested with much fear and respect.

The Lion laughed  "You tell me you will help me when the time comes!!! Very fantastic".

"No, I am serious" the Rat replied.

"Okay, Let me see. I am leaving you for now. But next time I will not spare you" told the Lion and released the Rat to go.

The Rat thanked him again and again and went away.

After some days, the Lion was looking for his prey and wandering around. Suddenly he felt trapped in a net on the ground. He tried much to get himself out of it. But it was so strong a net weaved by some hunters to catch the Lion that he could not escape from it. He felt helpless and started roaring with pain and disgust.

The Rat happened to hear the sounds and sensed something wrong. It immediately ran in the direction of the sounds and found the Lion entangled in a trap.

The Lion saw the Rat and asked it to help him somehow. The Rat said, "Don't worry. I will set you free within minutes".

Then, it went nearer to the net and began cutting the net into pieces quickly with its sharp teeth. Within minutes, the whole net was cut into tiny pieces and the Lion was released from the trap before the hunters could return to catch the Lion.

The Lion thanked the Rat and they became good friends since that day. He allowed the Rat to play on him daily and both of them used to enjoy the days hunting and sharing their food. together.

So what we learn from this story is that we should not underestimate others by their size or physique. All are powered with some skills in their own way and can be of much use when the time comes.

The Demon, A Smart Boy, and Mango Pickle

Hi, guys! Come on, let me narrate to you a story that I used to hear from my father in my childhood.

It is the story of a fearful demon, a little smart child, and how he saved his sister from the demon's captivity.

Once upon a time, there lived a family on the outskirts of a village that was nearer to the forest. The family consisted of five members: a father, one mother, one daughter, and two sons. The elder son was 7 years old and the other about 3 years old, their sister being the eldest with 12 years. As they lived in that small village, they had to go for marketing to a nearby town every month to bring the essential household items.


Now, in the nearby forest, there lived a demon who often entered the village at midday times when all were out on duty and used to catch the children from the village.


One day, this family went for marketing leaving the girl alone at home. Before going, they instructed the girl to keep all doors closed and not to open to anybody till their return. They further told her to keep the food prepared as they may get late in the evening. She agreed and kept the doors closed and indulged in her studies along with the kitchen work.


At midday, the Demon comes out of the forest as usual and wanders into the village. He finds the girl alone from the window which was left open by mistake. Immediately he enters the house breaking the window gets hold of the girl and runs into the forest. She screamed for help but there was nobody in the vicinity to help her. He takes her to his house in the forest and compels her to work for him ordering to prepare food and do all the work for him. He threatens her that if she does not obey his orders or tries to run away from the house, he will eat her up. The girl gets frightened and agrees to do all his work.


Meanwhile, the family returns home in the evening and finds the doors open. Immediately they rush into the house and shout for the girl. The boys also shouted for their sister but could not find her. They start weeping. The mother also weeps and asks her husband to go into the village and enquire about the girl. When the husband runs across the lanes shouting for the girl, somebody tells him that he heard his daughter's screams and saw the demon carrying her away from much distance. The man gets frightened at this and tells his wife about this. She begins weeping loudly striking her head. The little boy tells her that he will go into the forest and bring his sister back and asks her not to weep.


The parents get agitated with his words and tell the child that the Demon is dreadful and giant in size and very powerful and cruel. They disapprove of his going there. But the little child insists on his going saying that he and his elder brother will go to him and bring their sister back. The brother also agrees with his younger one and requests the parents to let them go. So the mother had to agree unwillingly and give them food to eat on the way as it would get the night. They take the food in their lunch boxes and leave home.


On the way to the forest, they enjoy the journey of sightseeing. The small child was very new to all this. So he used to ask many questions in his quest for knowledge at various things. Soon they entered the forest and the sun was setting. The little boy gets very hungry and wants to eat the food. So both of them sit under a tree and open their boxes to eat.


When they opened the boxes, the boys found one box filled with curd rice and a mango pickle (Aavakaya pickle) meant for the younger one and the other box with buttermilk rice mixed with a little bit of salt and there was no pickle in that box for the elder one. So the elder brother requests the younger one to give the pickle to him saying that the pickle will be very hot as it is made up of red chili powder and that curd rice itself will be very tasty without any pickle. He further tells him that it is very hard to eat buttermilk rice without some pickle added to it. The younger one agrees with him and gives the mango pickle to him. Then both of them eat the food and again start their journey towards the demon's house.


Now, they come across some small babies of pigs in the forest. The smart child asks his brother: "What are they, brother?" Brother tells him they are babies of a pig. The boy says he wants them. When his brother does not agree to catch them, he weeps and demands his mango pickle back. The brother scolds him saying how could he return back the pickle which was already eaten by him. But the younger one does not accept and demands either to catch the pig babies or to return back his pickle. So the brother had to catch the babies. He ties them with a towel and gives them to the child.


They proceed some distance where they find some black big ants. Again he asks his brother: "Brother, what are they?" Brother replies: "They are ants. If they bite, you can not bear the pain." But, the younger one was determined. He demands to catch them in his empty lunch box or else return back his pickle. So the elder one catches them carefully with a cloth and puts them into the box.


Again they set forth and traveled some distance. There they come across a well. A rope made of jute was hanging to the well and tied to a bucket. Again the boy asks what is it. Brother replies it is a rope used for drawing water from the well. He says that he wants the rope. Brother scolds him angrily asking what he will do with it. But the child demands that he requires it or else to return back his mango pickle. The elder gets very angry, but controls himself and stealthily goes to the well and brings the rope to him.


They again resumed the journey and they were getting very tired by now. Just then an ass goes that way. The small boy again asks his brother what it is. Brother says it is an ass and if it kicks, the bones will get fractured. The little boy says it is needed by him as he has got tired and can't walk anymore. The brother again scolds him. But he would not listen and demand for the ass or else return his mango pickle. The elder gets very irritated and shouts angrily. But the child was not afraid. He keeps on demanding. So he has to catch the ass. Then the small boy sits on it and asks his brother also to sit on it. He sits unwillingly and they proceed towards the demon's house.


After passing some more distance, they come across a woman selling curd in a pot. The small boy again asks his brother for the curd. They purchase the whole curd along with the pot. They keep the pot on the back of the ass holding it carefully and at last, they see some light burning from a house. They reached it and found it to be the demon's house.


They enter into the house. The demon was out at that time and their sister was cooking food in the kitchen. Seeing her brothers there, she gets terrifically afraid and asks them why they had come there. The small one tells her that they came to take her home. She gets more alarmed and tells them that if the demon sees them, he will eat them up instantly. She asks them to hide themselves immediately in the attic of the room as the demon will be there in a few moments. So they climb up along with their ass and all their belongings and hide themselves in a dark place.


The Demon arrives and as he is very hungry asks for food. The girl immediately makes him sit under the attic, serving the food on a large plate from big giant bowls. Her brothers view the demon and those giant heaps of food from their hideout with astonishment. Meanwhile, the demon smells something wrong. He complains of a human smell touching his nose. The girl immediately replies that she is a human being and he might be getting her smell. He thinks she is right and starts eating.


Meanwhile, the small boy in the attic tells his brother that he has to pass number one. The brother asks him to hold for some time till the demon leaves. But he could not stop and it fell onto the demon's plate. He asks the girl what it was that was falling from above. She trembles for some time but immediately replies that it might be the oil placed in the attic saying that some mouse could have spilled it. So he eats silently.


After some time, the small boy tells his brother that he cannot keep silent for so long and wants to sing. The brother asks him to sing within himself. But the child starts singing loudly and the demon shouts who it is. Immediately the boy shouts more loudly asking the demon who he is to ask such a question. The demon replies "I am a Demon". Immediately the smart boy replies with an even more harsh and loud voice that he is a "Super Demon". Now the demon gets confused and begins thinking what could be a Super Demon.


The smart boy throws the baby pigs upon the demon and shouts 'See these lice from my hair'. The demon gets stunned by so big lice. Then the boy throws the rope upon him and shouts "See my hair". The demon gets frightened at so long and strong hair. Then the boy shouts again "I want to spit on you" and empties the curd from the pot onto his head. The demon begins trembling at this. Then the smart boy puts the ants into the ear of the ass and it begins making a very violent noise due to the pain created by the biting of the ants. The demon is unable to bear the sounds and gets afraid that the super demon must be really a great thing and it will definitely kill him. So he immediately starts running from there without turning back and leaves the forest forever.


Now the boys get down from the attic and their sister embraces them and pats the little boy with gratitude and love. Then they return home and the girl tells their parents all that happened. All of them are pleased at the little boy's smartness and cleverness and give him plenty of love and blessings and gifts and all of them live happily ever after.


From this story, we can learn that wisdom and smartness are more powerful than physical strength. That is why even a small boy succeeded in driving away a giant and strong-bodied demon.


The mango pickle was simply a tool he adopted to tease his brother and get all the requirements for his smart idea of driving away the demon. Otherwise, the elder brother would not have helped him in getting all those pig babies, rope, curd, ants, and ass for his plan. Cleverness can solve any kind of problem. This is the essence of this story.


I hope all of you liked this story. Kindly leave your comments below.