We were really lucky during our childhood years as there was not much to be seen on television, a sunday movie on television in grey shades with unwelcome neighbours was the only entertainment we had. We were destined to be outdoor kids! Our vacations were really memorable . the day used to begin with a jog around the pristine lake we had in our town. Our group consisted of 7-8 boys who were really enthusiastic to begin with but later after a round used to sit on the wall panting and catching their breath. Sometimes we used to rent boats to row. We were little devils who jumped from boat to boat yelling all the time. The lake manager usually asked about our swimming skills prior to renting out but we easily bragged to convince him. One day we were short of some money which we realised after our rowing ended,we literally ran for our lives that day all the way from the lake to our homes!
A hot breakfast awaited us at home, we quickly used to shower and head to the library which was our treasure island for books and comics. Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Famous Five along with Secret Seven were revered by us all the time. Some kids used to flick books which I strongly disapproved as I really respected the library and its owner, also my upbringing was too good to think on those lines.
At noon time after a quick lunch our team used to go the creek to play cricket matches. The hot sun was never a deterrent for us as we played without any caps or sunscreens. All we knew was the playing and nothing else.A friend of mine with polio also used to accompany just to watch the fun.There was a solitary tap which used to provide scalding hot water for drinking.Sporadically a candy man used to visit us and give us orange candies which we never had as they were worm infested! U just had to put some salt and the small worms would start wriggling out.I think they were imported from China! We used to return home as battle weary warriors where our moms would give us cold lime water to quench our parched throats.
After a little nap,we were all up and about to play hide and seek in the nearest garden. The cute girls also used to join us for this and our hearts used to flutter during these times.I used to be shy of them and hardly any words were spoken in their company, but they were and will always be welcome! The slides in our garden were notorious for ripping our backsides of pants while the see saw used to hurt our sensitive nuts. Sometimes we used to play Badminton in our own windy court where the shuttle cock was like a weather cock swaying with the winds wildly all the time. Football invariably used to end with broken window panes and the choicest abuses hurled at us. We were thick skinned and the very next day would start all over again much to their surprise!
The nights were spent on terraces under a starry sky where our elders used to sit and gossip and we used to huddle around them and pretend to understand their talks.The terrace was also our spinning top arena where many top battles had taken place. During monsoons we used to plug the outlet pipes with cloth rag balls and let the water store inside to create our swimming pool ! we used to laze around the pool splashing water, frolicking all the time. Later we used to be thrashed by our parents!
Now I see kids with their sofa glued bottoms flicking t v channels on their remote,ordering pizzas and burgers on the phone.Surfing the net with long chats on the phone. Video games and stuff. Slothing away to glory!
I really pity them.
They learn what is being taught and spoon fed to them, classes and tuitions exist virtually for any childhood activity known to motherkind! They will never know what they are missing and probably don't care about it too. They are domesticated prematurely. Their kites of high flying imagination are always restrained and never allowed to soar high. They are grounded.
They are being deprived of the essence and flavour of a natural childhood life.
I feel sorry for them and cry silently at their inactive state.
I thank God that he let me in early in this world ! I don't mind leaving it early as I had the best of my time in childhood.
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