Summer
holidays have arrived with hope and excitement. Childhood memories come with
sweetness and nostalgic fragrance. The days of strenuous studies and
examinations are over by April in Kerala schools. The time of enjoyment
shines with hot sun.
Occasional, small downpours and lightning
would double the zing of young ones. They would play in the summer shower
and roar when thunderclap appears. In olden days it was natural play grounds
all over the village, the harvested paddy fields. The children in large
number would turn to play the games of their like. In the evening, when the
games were over, they would jump into our village river to swim and bath.
One would compete with each other to become a winner. We would be playing
till the night falls.
The village vacation had been always
original. There we played with goats and kids; cows and calves. There had
been no summer kids’ camp or any such facilities in our village. We didn't
even dream such things. But we had play ground, the Nature's gift. We had
the gifted spirit of innocence. The sky was our limit to the celebrations.
We searched for new ideas to make the vacation, the real recreation.
During those days there were not even the
thoughts of summer classes for next terms. Holiday classes were not so
popular in those days. So there was no thought and pressure of holiday
learning. We were totally free. Play-carts, handy-crafts, soil sculptures,
sand arts, dramas and songs...the enjoyment had no limitations for the whole
period.
It took few minutes to shift from one fun
to another. We had no hunger or thirst until the amusements were over. We
were least bothered about any other happenings around us. But mothers were
more concerned and strained about the over-excitement of their children.
They didn't want them to play in the hot sun or occasional summer shower and
late evenings. They ordered that children should not miss at least lunch.
Along
the way, small wayside pandals with small groups of children inside were
seen. They would sell some sweets and balloons. Mothers would warn children
that everyone should be there in their homes before the sunset. But many had
to break their promise each day. When they start to narrate the whole day's
event, mothers would forgive their kid's Naughtiness.
There were many lessons to be learned from
Nature. We could realize the love and care of birds and pets, the hard work
of ants, swift movements of small fishes in the river, the rhythm of
cuckoo's songs and the beautiful lives of flowers and butterflies. We had
some parrots on a short, dried coconut tree. But we could not reach near
them. Mother parrots would feed the nestlings. If we made a small sound they
would feel insecurity and make their twitter. We would try to hear their
mimicry. We were afraid to see foxes, the present day endangered species in
large number near the bushes at the river side. We enjoyed the whole
holidays with spirited mind.
The endless passion for wonders of Nature
goes beyond the limits of time. The childhood memories of school vacation
come to the mind as a nice breeze.
