Innocent Punch

Atharva, another name for Lord Ganesha, one of the most revered by many, holds a special place in everyone's hearts. Atharva, also the name of my seven years old nephew (my didi's son), also holds high regards for the elephant god. So much so, that he advocates his being a strict vegetarian, in the name of the Lord! "My name is Atharva, meaning Lord Ganesha. I will not eat meat or even eggs", is what he reiterates ever since he started getting sense of the world around. And, he has stuck to what he believes in, at this tender age! Although his parents and little-elder sister, all love to slurp and burp over non-vegetarian delicacies.

Once didi took a pastry for both her kids. They ate it with joy and didi brought the same pastry for them yet again the next week. Slip of tongue, especially at the wrong time and in front of the wrong person, is exactly what happened on didi's part that day. While chatting with her daughter Aarya, she said 'ya, this pastry has an egg content'. That was it! Atharva was just around and these words could not escape his ears. He got furious and said, "Why are you telling this so late? I have already eaten this last week! Why did you give it to me?" He did not touch the pastry this time. Didi was left with no words as she did not expect him to react so strongly. She thought it was okay to eat the pastry for him too.

In yet another instance, this kiddo left his mom speechless. He loves pets, but is not allowed to keep them at home. He had spotted a cat in his society and had made place for her in a corner. He is the cat's caretaker, he claims. Once he asked his mom for an old towel or a cloth to keep the cat from cold. She said that there is no such cloth to give. His reply was a shocker! "I knew you would say this. You have no love for animals, you only know how to eat them!"