Amusing Nicknames

Amusing Nicknames

(A Humorous Short story)

On Sunday at 12 noon, Gajendra, a retired bank employee, was relaxing in his newly constructed hillside house, 'Pavamana' at Pavanpur. He had his lunch just five minutes before. He saw outside where six children aged between 8 and 10 were playing hide & seek games. The unbearable heat did not obstruct the children. One boy hid behind Gajendra. The Other boys hid in different spots. The kids were feeling comfortable under the shadow of big trees. These kids were enjoying the school holiday and calling each other by nicknames. Gajendra was amused by calling the children nicknames. He knows the real names of all the children. When their game was over, the boys were ready to go home. Out of curiosity, Gajendra called all the children and offered toffees, biscuits and cold drinks. Children became happy and expressed thanks to Gajendra. He asked one boy Rohan,

“Why do you call each other by nicknames, when your names are beautiful? Tell me one by one your nicknames?

"Uncle, before asking our nicknames, can you tell me your nickname?" asked Rohan, a cute boy smiling.

Gajendra for a moment felt uncomfortable and did not expect such a question. He thought it would be better to enjoy it with children.

He said, "My dear boys, can you see my bald head? Have a close look at it and count my remaining hairs. Those who count correctly within two minutes will be appreciated and toffees will be given."

All the boys were surprised by this challenge. Smilingly Krishna said five hairs. Murari said eight and Mukund said nine.

Gajendra replied,

"Yes! You can say you don't have hair. I would like to present each one of you with a toffee packet with ice cream. My colleagues in the bank were calling me in my absence as 'taklu'. One day, one of my colleagues, thinking that I was not there, said,'' Where is takalu?"

I took it jolly and said, "I am here."

The situation was humorous.

At the same time, Gajendra's wife arrived.

Gajendra said, "I call my wife 'Pammi'. Her name is Parimala."

On hearing this all the boys were dancing and laughing. Parimala also joined with the kids and she too laughed.

Rohan asked Parimala, "Ajji, if ajja calls you Pammi, why don't you call him 'taklu'?"

"Rohan, I always call him Gajendra aware and pati parameshwar."

"Ajji, do you know the nicknames of my grandpa and grandma?"

"I don't know Rohan. Tell me."

"My ajja calls her 'Anshu' and she calls him 'Akshu'.

Gajendra asked the boys,

"Can you tell me your nicknames?"

Rohan said,

“Uncle Abhay's nickname is 'Munna'. Because he looks sweet and cute. Krishna's nickname is "tillu'. He is small in height. Mukund is called 'Munna'. He looks sweet and lovely. Murari is called 'Lambu' because he is tall. Ramu's nickname is 'Tubelight'. His brain takes a few seconds to understand things. Lastly, my nickname is 'Rocky'. My physical strength is strong and my brain is super."

Gajendra and his wife Sumati could not control the joy and laugh loudly along with the children. He told all the children to go back and continue their play.

Murari requested Gajendra and Parimala to come out and play with them.

"Which game would you like to play with us?" asked Parimala.

Ramu suggested throwing a ball game. Those who take more catches would be the winner. The elderly couple joined them like children. Gajendra scored the highest points and was declared as winner.

While leaving, all the children met the elderly couple. He invited all the children to come home.

"Thanks a lot, Pammi ajji and takalu ajja," said Murari smilingly.

This time Gajendra and Parimala not only laughed but danced with them. She said, "All are amusing nicknames."