Kid's World: The Family

Kid's World

Translation of a Bengali story written by me




As the Nana started climbing the stairs, Gubli shouted from the balcony, Nana Nana, come soon. I have been waiting for you for many days.

As Nana reached the house, panting after climbing the stairs, Gubli came running and held his hand, Nana, come inside and sit on the sofa. I have very important things for your and do not give any time to mother or any one till I do not finish with talking to you.

Oh my darling, tell me what is there so  important, show me.

No Nana, am I mad? You have just climbed the stairs and panting, first have some water. And with water, eat this gold coin.

Nana took the glass of water and said, oh my doll, water is fine but why should I eat the Gold coin. And tell me where you got the coin. You know, gold coin is very precious and should not kept like this. It is not something to be eaten.

Oh Nana, you so old, you do not understand my joke also. It is a chocolate, just remove the golden wrapper and eat it then drink water.

But where is your chocolate? Why you are giving me your chocolate dear?

Oh Nana, whose Nana you are, tell me? You are my Nana and can't I give you a chocolate even? Do you think I do not love you? And you are my friend also you know. Now eat that chocolate quickly without saying anything else I will scold you like teacher scolds some child when they delay their lunch in school.

Your chocolate is very good my angel. So, tell me what you want to show me.

Gubli drags Nana cum friend to her room, and in a corner where she had her family and pets for which she was the master. See Nana, showing her dolls and paraphernalia, she continued, everyone says I waste my time with my dolls but you know they are not dolls but my family. I have names for them and I introduce you to them. Look these five cats are my daughters. These are Laila,  Twinkle, Maina, Dolly and Maya. These dogs are my sons, Mitchell, Shibu and Sansa. They all play with me. When I tell them to get up in the morning, they wake up and take their bath on their own. Then they go to school, you see I have this school on that corner. There are four teachers in the school. You see, the Lion is the principal, and Owl, Duck and peacock are teachers. When to come back from school in the evening, I give them Milk and snacks and dinner at night. They play and talk to me all the time.

That is very sweet my child, but we always see dogs fighting with cats and running after them, how did you teach your sons not to harass their sisters.

Oh nana, the dogs on the street or even in houses of some people are uneducated. I have told my family to behave properly and they listen to me.

But dear, I have experience of dogs and cats fighting, cat fighting rats, peacock fighting snakes, owl eating rats, Lion fighting buffalo, you see them always fighting on television channel also. nah.

Nana, this fighting is something man might have started. When you go to a Durga Puja, have you seen the deities carefully any time? Mother Durga comes on her Lion, and there is buffalo with him. They sit calmly in the altar. Then you see Owl with Mother Lakshmi, a Peacock with Karthik, a Swan with Saraswati, a Rat with Ganesha, and Snakes with Lord Shiva. Have you ever saw the Peacock of Karthik chasing the Snakes of Shiva or Snakes of Shiva swallowing Rat of Ganesha? Or Lion chasing and eating Swan of Saraswati? No never. I told my family that they will have to stay like the family of Lord Shiva and not like those men on television who are always fighting and also  making other animals also fight and killing for enjoyment.

Now, Mother is looking for you and you go and talk to him. Let me play with my children. I will have to see that they do their home work and after that, I will do my home work.

Bye Nana...


17 April 2020