Because Education Is Important

The last time I had seen this particular cousin of mine, I was still in college and he had a head full of hair. In between, there had been three funerals, two weddings and four births in our Trojan royalty of a family. I had been a university graduate for a year, and the prospect for a job, a decent one at that, had started to grow dimmer by the day. He asked, “Will you tutor my daughter?” “Yes!” I said. And we set out immediately. He, on his bike and I, on my motorcycle following him. We took a right turn at the famous landmark of the statue of demoness Putana, sitting on the grass with her bosom out and legs spread forward. He introduced me to his wife and daughter. Telling them to stand side by side, he told me, “She's only eleven, but look at her! Already equal in length and width to her mother, who is no delicate petal herself. Do you think you can teach her GK?” 

The universe wasn't made with dissent. Plus, the chicken samosas were really delicious. I tried on a grin while the overachieving pre-teen bustled around the room showing me her accolades for painting, singing, studying. As I left he pointed at a tree, “Do you know what tree is that?”

“Bael?” I answered thoughtfully. 

“Apple. That's an apple tree.” 

“Oh! Does it bear fruits?” 

“Not in this climate!” He laughed out loud.





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Date: 30 / 11 / 2016
Contest: James Tate
Sponsor: Space Cadet
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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Vinson Avatar
December 21, 2016 at 1:55 PM
Nicely done, Tamal. I was going to say that a Bael tree *is* a type of apple, but I guess not. Baels went with citrus and maples while apples clung to roses and many berries, even Cannabis.
Cadet Avatar
December 1, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Great work. Thank you for participating. --Wesley C.
Kundu Avatar
December 1, 2016 at 10:43 PM
Thank you Wesley, and thank you for the contest. Because of you, I now find myself immersed in the wonderful, surreal world of James Tate!
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