Angst And Exhilaration

Renee was feeling lonely as her cousins had left grandparent''s house in the small town to their homes in the cities. It was quiet today. Renee had a couple of days more to spend with grandparents. The time was twilight grandmother was doing her evening prayers in the meantime Renee was surfing channels on the television and drawing in the coloring book. She scooted closer to the window to watch the descending sun on the horizon it was a spectacular view, the sky was orange with cumulous white clouds and the breeze was mild. She was hungry while her mother was busy in the kitchen probably making tea for the elders.

Renee missed her jovial cousins was rightfully upset as she remembered how they walked to the confectionery shop with grandfather to munch on fried snacks. How she along with Mampi Di and Kuki Di persuaded grandmother to tell fairy tales, at the same time Kiku (the only boy) fought with them and begged grandmother for fairy tales. Grandmother convinced them with her magical stories at bedtime. Outside it was getting dark the few street lights were on. The orange sky by now was turning black with a few stars visible and shining. Father had told her the sky was in fact black appeared blue because of Earth's atmosphere and the water in the channel was colorless and appeared green because of the reflection of the trees.

Renee continued to surf channels furthermore promised herself not to fight with Kiku for the remote next time when they are here for vacation. She heard some shuffling sounds and thought it to be a mother instead it was a grandmother with a plate of her favorite noodles, she placed it before Renee plus inquired what she watching. Renee thought how she quarreled with Kiku till last evening to watch Peppa pig and he would tune to Chota Bhim. Now today she was not at all interested in Peppa pig. Grandmother read her mind came closer and proposed if she would like to listen to a story. Renee nodded her head enthusiastically as her mouth was filled with noodles.

Grandmother began, once in a kingdom lived a barber who was assigned to the king to give a haircut and shave every alternate day. While he shaved he would start a story and stop in the midway after noticing the king's curiousness as well as act as if trying to remember the course of the story. The king would give a coin and the barber would finish the story. This went on for years the barber became rich year by year. The other barbers of the kingdom became jealous in addition to approach the king. The king too was sick and tired of the barber's greed. Next time when the barber came to the king's palace, the king warned him not to open his mouth otherwise would be thrown into the prison. The barber understood it was his fellow barber's conspiracy as they could not tolerate him becoming richer. At the same time, he too was not capable of controlling his habit of telling stories. The barber requested the king to let him tell stories and promised won't stop until finished. The king was glad as he would get to listen to stories without having to pay extra to the barber now.

By the time grandmother finished her story Renee was done with her noodles. The duo went to the terrace to watch the stars and enjoy the cool breeze.