Kanchan:- Sometimes I wish; had I been a ‘Rip Van Winkle’, there would have been no tension in life.
Tiya:- Oho! You have liked the story of ‘Rip Van Winkle’ in our English text book. But, my favorite chapter is ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Sometimes, I dream of going to that wonderland like Alice did.
Sudeshna:- Hey look, what book I have issued from the library? It is ‘Gulliver Travels’.
Kanchan:- Oh! I have read that book. Gulliver will reach an island of Lilliputs. Lilliputs are actually the short-heighted men. They will help Gulliver to recover from his bad health.
Sudeshna:- Look at Santu. He is fond of those ‘Enid Blyton’ story books. Every week, he will issue one of those, he he he…
Tiya:- Arrey, Santu, better you try out the books of Ruskin Bond. Last week, I took a book, ‘Malgudi Days’ written by Ruskin Bond. The story is just fabulous.
Arindam:- Eh! No one is talking about Robinson Crusoe here. That guy is my hero. He lost everything in the sea, but still he survived.
Santu:- Probably, you have not read the story of ‘Sindbad the Sailor’ of Arabian Nights. Sindbad is a more talented character than that Robinson Crusoe.
Nonigopal:- My goodness! You people are discussing about some fictitious characters and fighting among yourselves. Do you people know that a person has opened a new stall just outside our school gate! He sells stickers and photos of He-Man, Superman, Spiderman and others. We have started calling that person as ‘Sticker Dadu’. Many a times, he also gives stickers on discount too. See, I have bought all these stickers from him only.
Tiya:- Wow! The stickers are so nice. I will also start buying stickers from that Sticker Dadu from tomorrow onwards.
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Mr. Bradman:- Can’t the bus and car drivers of this city see the signboard? It is clearly written on the signboard, ‘School Ahead, Drive slow’, but still they are doing rash driving on the adjacent streets of our school. That little girl, Nilima of class IV could have died yesterday. She is lucky that she got injured in her left limb only as the car driver applied the brakes at the right moment. Traffic police are also useless nuts in this city.
Mr. Talukdar:- Every time, it is unfair to blame it on the traffic policemen, Sir. The people who are driving the cars or buses don’t know their responsibilities. They just regard themselves as the drivers of F-1 cars and that too in these bad streets of this city, which are full of potholes.
Mr.Subir:- I have a plan to tackle the situation. Put a ‘No Entry’ signboard on the adjacent lanes of our school during school hours. Take the permission from the concerned authority that no two-wheelers or four-wheelers should enter this lane during school hours.
Mr. Bradman:- We will put a ‘No Entry’ signboard, but the traffic of Kolkata will hardly obey that. They are so undisciplined!
Mrs. Mitra:- Sir, all these little kids have a tendency to run on the roads when they come out of the school after the last bell. They will keep on shouting, ‘Chuti Chuti’ and start running as if they were in a prison for 6 or 8 hours.
Mr. Bradman:- Ha ha ha…I got your point, Mrs. Mitra. Ok, let us do one thing. The morning school gets over by 10.30 AM, right. The afternoon session starts from 11 AM. We will select some of the best students from afternoon sessions as Prefects. These prefects have to come to school at around 10.20 AM and have to start controlling the morning students. They have to act as a virtual traffic police on behalf of this school.
Mr. Subir:- But, why some students from afternoon session will be willing to act as prefects?
Mr.Bradman:- We will give those students a special certificate of administration and social work which will help them in the long run, when they will sit for interviews in any company. So, smart students will surely become the prefects. All the prefects will have a badge where the letter ‘Prefect’ is printed. Prefects will be selected from class VII onwards and to be properly trained in various administrative skills.
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Mr. Bairagi:- On this 15th August, you all have to participate in the march-pass and ring-drills at the Esplanade Maidan. Some other schools are also going to participate. Rajib Gandhi, Nurul Hasan and Jyoti Basu will also be present there on that ground to hoist our national tri-colored flag. You have to perform in front of them. It is not a matter of joke. From today onwards, we will start our practice at the Eastern Park ground, which is just a 5 minutes walking distance from our school.
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Jahar:- Oh! With the beat of the drum, we have to change our positions inside the line and that too with this big ring made of bamboo. In the ring, there are four mini bells attached to it at four points. Whenever you change the position of the ring, it makes a sweet sound. That’s fascinating.
Satya:- Yeah! We will look awesome in our colorful dresses with these rings when looked from the gallery.
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Mr.Bradman:- Bravo, my boys! You all have really performed well in the march pass and the ring drills. I am really proud of this class IV. Now, the chief of NCC Kolkata Unit, Mr. Bidhubhushan Banerjee is quite impressed with you all and he has promised us to train our students in their NCC unit without charging any annual fee. So, my dear students, be prepared for getting trained under NCC. Who knows, maybe, some of you will become great warriors under National Defense Academy.
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Chandrani:- Don’t go under that tree. A ghost resides there. Do you know that?
Nonigopal:- What are you saying? Many a times, I have gone under that tree during daytime. Even I have rested under that tree.
Chandrani:- Oh! You have gone crazy. 6 months ago, Fatikchand, a villager committed suicide under that tree by taking poison. Fatikchand took money from his father for 2 times to open his own shop. 2 times, he failed to establish his business. Third time, he again demanded money from his dad to open a grocery shop this time. But, his father, Phuleswar babu was in no mood to waste his money again. Some disturbances were going on in Phuleswar Babu’s family regarding the issue. And at last, being totally depressed, Fatikchand committed suicide. Last month, Phuleswar babu was coming to his home from the market at around 8 PM through that road. Phuleswar babu saw his son Fatikchand sitting under that tree and weeping. Phuleswar babu started running towards his home and told everyone about the incident. Everyone laughed at him. After 1 week of that incident, on a bright sunny afternoon, Phuleswar babu was coming back home with his bulls and cows from the newly cultivated paddy fields through that same road. On that afternoon, Phuleswar babu died of a sun-stroke and his body was lying under that same tree. Many people were saying that after the death of Fatikchand, Phuleswar babu used to torture his daughter-in-law. He even kicked on his pregnant daughter-in-law’s belly, when the village doctor predicted that she will give birth to a girl child. Ultimately, the Fatikchand’s wife gave birth to dead baby girl. Maybe, Fatikchand has taken the revenge on his father.
Nonigopal:- Babah! Though I liked your story, but still I don’t believe in ghosts. Maybe, you people have cooked up a story by linking some coincidences together. But, why Phuleswar Babu kicked his daughter-in-law? Is it a sin to give birth to a baby girl in this village?
Chandrani:- No one will give answer to your question, Noni, but, it is the brutal truth; no one likes to become the parent of a girl child because of that bloody dowry system in our society.
Nonigopal:- At least in cities, the concept of dowry system hardly exists. In cities, all boys and girls are equal.
Chandrani:- Noni, everywhere it is the same scenario. In villages, they say and do openly, but in cities, everything happens behind the backdoors or inside the dark room.
Nonigopal:- Anyway, our puja vacation will end tomorrow. Day after tomorrow, again I have to go to school. But, somehow, you made my mind serious in this vacation. Really, our society is sometimes so brutal in nature that I feel that it is better to remain as a kid than to grow up as an adult.
Chandrani:- Ha ha ha…remain a kid mentally, because you cannot control your physical transformations as you grow up, he he he…
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Mr.Bairagi:- From class IV onwards, you are eligible to participate in Athletics. There are three categories in this school. Group A, Group B and Group C. Class IV & Class V students fall under Group C category. Class VI & Class VII students are under Group B category and from Class VIII onwards till Class X, students are under Group A category. Those who are interested in heat races, please come out. Those who will come 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the heat races will be selected for the Annual Sports competition. From each house, 3 persons will be selected for the final race at Inter-house sports competition to be held at Police Training Field at Ekbalpur.
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Bidisha:- Hurrah! Look! Look! I have won the small car toys of ‘Hot Wheels’ company and a packet of ‘Milky Bar’ and ‘Dairy Milk’ chocolates. Can you think of it! I have come first in sack race and also in marble-spoon race. I have won so many points for our Red house.
Arindam:- Dhassh! Sack race! Uuh! Marble-spoon race…dhaath…look at me! I have come first in the 100 m race. I have got a gold medal. This medal is made of 24 –carat gold.
Bidisha:- Ha ha ha…you are an idiot. This medal is of golden color but not made of gold. What a fool you are! By the way; you can never beat me in the sack race. It is an open challenge. You cannot even walk a meter by keeping that marble in a balanced position on the spoon in your mouth.
Arindam:- Sorry! I don’t participate in those ladies type races…uuh…
Bidisha:- uuh…you cannot compete with me. That’s the final sentence.
Nonigopal:- Why both of you always fight with each other, I don’t understand.
Arindam:- I never fight with her, but this girl is like a crouching kitten…every time fighting with me and scratching my skins with her long nails.
Nonigopal:- Anyway, Arindam, congrats! You won the race just by a whisker. I was late by a fraction of a second to finish as a runner-up.
Arindam:- Oh! Don’t worry; that happens. But, you are also a good sprinter, I must appreciate that.
Riku:- Hey, Arindam, come on, now we have a mixed –relay race.
Arindam:- Yeah, Riku, I am coming.
Bidisha:- Who is she?
Arindam:- She is the captain of Blue house of morning session. She is in class V now. She will run with me in the mixed relay race.
Bidisha:- Oh! You are looking so excited about her. Wait, from next year onwards, I will also participate in all the heat races.
Nonigopal:- Ha ha ha…Bidisha is feeling jealous now. Arindam, we will compete again in the mixed-relay race. I am also going to participate in it now.
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Mrs. Mitra:- So, Green house won the Inter-House Sports competition this time. Ei, Noni, your yellow house came last despite some good performances from you. What’s the matter!
Nonigopal:- Madam, I am not at all happy with the numbering system. In Inter-House sports competition, more weightage is given in the march-pass and ‘Human Pyramid’ formation. That’s unfair. Yellow house has done much better in heat races, long jumps, short jumps and relay-races than Green house.
Santu:- No, no, madam, I completely disagree with it. Green house is the best and it just rocks.
Mrs. Mitra:- Ok, ok, babah…don’t fight among yourselves. Accha, who are the fellows, who have got selected for the Inter-Branch Sports Competition to be held at Salt Lake stadium? Oh! Only five of you! Nonigopal, Arindam, Sajal, Tamang and Tiya. Good! Remember one thing; you have three contenders, Ganganagar, Kalyani and Rishra. This school has 4 branches including Kolkata. Every year, Kolkata comes last in the Inter-Branch sports event. Kalyani branch always comes first. They all are village boys and girls. They have more stamina than you people.
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Nidhi:- Hi, I am Nidhi from class V. You recovered well in the last lap of mixed –relay race. We were running last. Due to your last lap run, Kolkata got the third spot. Great!
Nonigopal:- Why are you giving full credit to me? You also ran well in the third lap. Had you been a few seconds late to pass over that stick to me, I would have never recovered the third spot, despite running hard. It is not so easy to run on the hard turfs of Salt Lake stadium.
Nidhi:- Yeah! You are right. But, this is also a great experience. This is my first medal in any Inter-Branch sports competition. Last year, I also came here, but got no medal. Actually, last year, Kolkata branch failed to win any medal except the silver medal in the march-pass.
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Tamang:- All the girls of our senior class are so beautiful. Nidhi and Riku are so smart, beautiful and they really have some personality, boss!
Sajal:- Yeah, I agree with you, especially, Riku is a multi-talented girl.
Tamang:- Is there something going on between Riku and Arindam? Or are they just friends? Have you noticed one thing on the Inter-Branch Sports Day in Salt Lake Stadium? Riku was so caring towards Arindam. Riku was giving spoons of dry glucose (Glucon-D) to Arindam, before every race.
Sajal:- Oh! Yeah! Yeah! I have also noticed that.
Bidisha:- Ei, don’t you guys have any other topic to discuss? Riku is in class V and Arindam is in class IV. How can there be an affair between them? And in any case, Riku will go to afternoon session next year. I know Arindam very well. He believes in out of sight, out of mind policy. He will forget Riku next year itself.
Tamang:- Jaa babah! Why are you so furious about Riku? Now, we don’t know about Riku, but, Sajal, I think that something is surely going on between Bidisha and Arindam.
Sajal:- Hmm…ei, Bidisha, is it true?
Bidisha:- No, it is not true. I and Arindam are just good friends.
Tamang:- Oh! Sajal, you are such a fool! Have you seen any girl confessing about her love at the first instance only? They are girls. They love to tell lies about their love till they get confirmation from the other end.
Bidisha:- I will not talk with you guys. Just go to hell…uuh…
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Sumeet:- Wow! Haan haan haaaan….ummm….do you people know something? I am so happy today….haan haaan…I have passed in the Maths subject of the Annual Exam of class IV. I was not expecting it….haan haan haaan…
Raqeeb:- Dhaath saala….what is there to dance in it? Around 80% people got more than 90% marks in Maths paper. The question paper was very easy and you are dancing for just passing in that exam.
Sumeet:- Actually, I am very weak in Maths, naah….haan haan haaaan….ummm….
Raqeeb:- One thing, I don’t understand. Despite being a boy, why do you talk and act like ladies. Are you a half lady or what?
Sumeet:- Do you want to know the truth? Yes, I am! I am a Hijra. My parents often quarrel with each other because they have given birth to a hijra. Even there is no point in studying in schools and colleges, because when I will grow up, no one will give me a job. My job will be to clap in public to beg for money. After 21 years of age, I will be automatically kicked out from my parent’s house.
Revathi:- Oh! Raqeeb! You are such a nut! What have you told to Sumeet? Tears are coming out of his eyes.
Sumeet:- Revathi, Raqeeb is calling me as half lady. Is it my fault? Can’t I become friends of boys? What is my fault if God has created me with some biological disorders?
Satya:- Hey, Raqeeb, I am warning you. Next time, don’t try to abuse Sumeet. Say sorry to him.
Raqeeb:- Sumeet, I am sorry! Actually, I was not having any intention to hurt you. I just wanted to change your lady type behavior and nothing else. Please don’t cry. Please.
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Arindam:- Uff…had they not got any other classroom. Our classroom is at the 5th floor of this building. There is no lift in this school. Every day, we have to come to the 5th floor by stairs only. Oh! No!
Bidisha:- Chee chee chee…you feel proud to be a sprinter. You are panting for breath after coming to 5th floor by stairs.
Arindam:- What’s your problem! Why do you always pass comments on me? I am talking with Revathi, not with you.
Bidisha, now, you are in class V. Behave like big girl.
Revathi:- Husssh….don’t fight. Our class teacher of class V, Mrs. Prasad Madam has entered the classroom.
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Mrs. Prasad:- Good morning students! My name is Nalini Prasad. Basically, I am from Kottayam, but, after living in Kolkata for 6 years or so, I can speak, read and write Bengali also, but, still, I will prefer each and every one of you to speak in English among yourselves. If you get caught by me while talking in Bengali or Hindi among each other, then you will be fined 10 paisa. I will take your English and Geography classes. Another thing, your classroom is at the last end of this school. That is, it is the last corner of the 5th floor of this building. The terrace is just one staircase away from here. Don’t dare to go to the terrace. Seven years ago, a psycho boy committed suicide by jumping from that terrace, when he failed in the Annual Exam of class V. There is a biology research room on the terrace. Two skulls are kept there. Sometimes, those skulls become alive at night as per the information from our security guard Pandey ji.
Nonigopal:- Nothing is there in that terrace. Madam is scaring us.
Tamang:- Yeah, I also think so. Don’t worry; one day, we will surely take a chance.
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