Monday, March 14, 2011

Going to School is All Fun!!

"Hey mommy, what's for the breakfast today?", Biju, the youngest of the four brothers and sisters took her seat at the dining table and enquired. She was the first to arrive in the dining room this morning.

Her mom replied, "Guess, what it is?"

Biju had learnt by heart the breakfast menu decided by her mother in consultation with her daddy and all the four children. They selected those items for the breakfast that are healthy as well as yummy.

Her mom had meticulously worked out a great menu for all the week days. Oatmeal on Monday, hard boiled eggs on Tuesday, museli on Wednesday, half boiled eggs on Thursday and cornflakes on Friday. A glass of milk was compulsory every day. However, the kids had a choice between hot chocolate and plain milk. Additionally they had to have toasts with butter or cheese or peanut butter or fruit jam. The breakfast menu on the weekend was always a surprise and a great treat.

Biju then could guess on dot, "Mommy, it has to be hard boiled eggs today, isn't it? If it is Tuesday, it has to be hard boiled eggs. Or is there a surprise in stock for us just like what you do on weekends?"

By this time, Bhanu the oldest brother accompanied by his younger sister Shanu and the younger brother Kaju joined Biju, their youngest sister and their mom. Bhanu had overheard the conversation between Biju and mom. He interjected in the conversation, "Can mommy ever go wrong? Menu has to be the pre-decided menu- no deviations. Right mommy?"

Their dad rushed to the table and said humorously, "I am always the last these past few days. All because of Biju. She occupies our bathroom saying that all other bathrooms are already engaged. And on top of that, takes more time in the shower singing all those songs she is learning in the school these days?"

Biju got a bit annoyed, "Daddy, that's not being fair. Don't you tell me to sing those songs again and again so that I remember them for ever? That's why I sing them even when in shower."

Mommy came to Biju's rescue, "Hey Biju, daddy is just teasing you."

Biju was happy listening that, smiled and quipped, "It's OK then."

Shanu loved boiled eggs and could not resist saying, "Today, I am going to enjoy my breakfast. Wow! The boiled eggs!! Wow! The boiled eggs!!"

Kaju joined in, "But I like half boiled eggs better- I am all eyes waiting for Thursday."

Mom set up the table for the breakfast and daddy and all the four children helped her in laying out the plates and cutlery on the table. Then all the six of them sat around the table in their respective seats and ate their breakfast.

All of them used to arrive at the dining table on time and used to give full twenty minutes for the breakfast so that none had to rush. Kids and their parents knew that eating the meals in a relaxed manner is always more beneficial for digestion and to become healthy.

After finishing the breakfast all the six of them together cleared the table. When they helped each other the workload of clearing the table did not fall on one single person and the job was done quickly.

The kids hugged mommy after the breakfast. She had to leave for her office now. Mom and dad hugged each other. They all waved at mommy as she drove off to her office. Daddy used to go to his office after he took the kids to their school.

It was not necessary for daddy to escort his children to their school. Bhanu, Shanu, Kaju and Biju were capable of going to the school on their own. But he used to enjoy strolling along with them to the school which was nearby at a walking distance. This was the most enjoyable time for the dad and the kids to be completely together and share many ideas and things amongst them.

So dad latched the door of the house and the five of them started towards the school. As they stepped on to their garden in front of their home, Kaju exclaimed, "Look at that yellow butterfly on that new red flower."

Dad said, "It is spring season now and this is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. Does anyone of you know why?"

Biju was quick enough to answer, "Daddy, only the other day my teacher told me that spring is the blooming and flowering season. That's why spring is such a special season."

Shanu added, "Also the plants get their new leaves and they look so delicate."

As they walked for some five to six minutes, they crossed the lake on their left side. Everyday they used to stop there for couple of minutes to watch the ducks playing in the clear water of the lake. They saw some new baby ducks today. They were amused to see the new ducks.

Bhanu and Shanu had brought with them some bread crumbs. They gave some to Kaju, Biju and the dad. They threw the bread crumbs in the water. All the ducks including the new baby ducks rushed to eat them. It was fun watching them.

Suddenly they saw that two white rabbits were peeping out of a bush near the lake. The rabbits had  carrots with them and they were nibbling at the carrots. It was a great sight.

Daddy carried his camera with him to capture such interesting events. Kaju and Biju spoke at the same time, "Daddy, please click at the rabbits. Look how they are enjoying their breakfast- just the way we do."

Then daddy took the photograph of the rabbits with Bhanu, Shanu, Kaju and Biju in the foreground.

They walked for another five to six minutes and they were already in the school. During that period, they talked about the colorful birds that were chirping around. Then they talked about the basket ball match that Bhanu and Shanu were going to participate in the school that day. Daddy, Kaju and Biju gave Bhanu and Shanu lots of encouragement to play a good game.

Now it was time to bid bye to each other and go to the respective class rooms and for daddy to go home. Biju said, "It's so much fun coming to the school with you and with Bhanu, Shanu and Kaju."

Everyone agreed, "Yes, it's fun all the way. It definitely is!"

The four of them went to their class rooms and daddy turned back to go home. He used to go jogging while returning home to exercise himself. He reached home, took out the car from the garage and drove off to his office humming a tune he liked. He was humming because he had a wonderful time every morning with his children and he loved it.

Novels and Stories

Novel "Good People" http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/
Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories http://funny-shortstories.blogspot.com/
Stories Children Will Love http://stories-children.blogspot.com/

The novel "Good People", "Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories" and "Stories Children Will Love" are available in the form of eBook and printed book from Amazon online. Hurry up, get your copies.