THE KITE

The Sun had set in the sky colouring the western sky pinkish red. Different shapes nof white fluffy clouds had appeared in the sky. Some of them took the shape of elephants and some had the shape of goats. Amit sank upon the ground for quite some time. Everyone else had left the field but he did not feel like going home. Coconut Trees were silhouetted against the horizon. When the night fell he made his way towards his home which at best could be called a shack. Today his day passed off well. His friend Shayamda, who was senior to him by four years had allowed him to hold the latai. Shayamda had the unique ability to fly a kite. The kite would soar high in the sky and would appear like a dot in the sky. His delight knew no bounds when he was allowed to fly the kite on his own. Today Shayamda had allowed him to keep some kites. He sniffed them and sometimes when no one was allowed, he kissed them.

His mind felt heavy as he made his way towards the slum where they lived. His brother has been ill for a few days. His mother, he believed would have been great nurse in her previous life, would never leave them for a moment whenever they took ill. The room's furniture consists of a rickety chair and an iron bedstead and one stool. The images of Goddesses adorned the world. At night he suppressed the desire to take a few rupees from his mother to buy a kite but he could not thinking it would look bad as his brother was ill. He went to bed early that night. He was roused by the golden sun rays that had filtered in through the ventilator. Though he was a boy he looked small and frail and had a thick mop of hair. When the clock struck seven he made his way towards the field by the riverside. The golden sun rays had gilded every object of nature and nature seemed to dance in delight. Amit's hurt danced in delight to because rain could play spoil sport. Amit had to go to Shayamda's house and had to wake him up. Shayamda bought many kites --- some so large that amit's small hand could not hold. The kites varied in different shapes and colours. The names of the kites were also very sweet---- Mayurpankhi, Chilghuri, petcutti etc. Shayamda had the unique style of cutting off the thread of the kite. When he would notice any rival kite his kite would come down gradually and then all of sudden swoop down and in the twinkle of a eye it would soar high up in the sky cutting off the rival kite.

In the early morning the children assembled on the bank of the river. Anup,the bully, was present there too. This guy never flew a kite but always disturbed others and caused all sorts of problems for others. It was strange he always behaved like a lamb before Shayamda. Suddenly Shayamda prodded Amit and told him"Go Amit Go, It is your turn to fly a kite now." Amit's eye caught the sight of a big kite flowing across the sky with a lot of thread. The Kite was now right over their heads. He bounded towards the kite but he was not alone. At least At least 15 boys were following him. Anup was closing in on him. The Kite headed for the Babu's garden and soon it flew past it and as it drifted towards the high school it got caught in the branch of a coconut tree. Amit sprinted towards the tree and even climbed up the tree and at that point of time, he was smacked by Anup. Still he would not give up. Anup thrashed him hard and he lost control and still he made a dash for the kite and in the struggle the kite was mutilated. It was evening again. Amit broke into sobs and suddenly and unknowingly fell into a slumber. When he woke up he saw a most wonderful sight. A jetplane drifted across the blue sky leaving a white line on its face.