A Hundred Quills
"Words.Words.I play with words, hoping that some combination, even a chance combination will say what I want" -Doris Lessing
My Friend Alexa Season 5- The Little Girl Series
The little girl ran down the slope and rushed into the park. It was five in the evening. Her playmates were already preparing to go back home. She had to make the most of whatever little time she had. She was late by thirty minutes. Their usual meeting time was four-thirty. The Hindi examination had played spoilsport that day. Yes, janaab, if anything was to be blamed for her delay, it was the Hindi paper scheduled for the next day. Why did they have to hold exams for six-year-olds? Did it even make sense?
She was short for her age and barely visible to her friends playing on the other side of the rusting gate. An old, haggard blue coloured iron door, which they often used as the wings of Pegasus during pretend plays.
The little girl gave the gate a slight push with her hands. She wanted to peep inside first and make sure all was good but it swung wide open with a creaking sound, bringing her well within sight of a group of girls playing hopscotch. Among them, in blue denims and a loose white shirt stood her nemesis.
“What are you doing here?” the bossy group leader almost pounced on her.
The little girl stood closemouthed, unable to get a word out. With her hands on her waist, the group leader now walked up to her.
“Don’t you have an exam tomorrow? My sister’s studying really hard at home, and look at you!”
The boss girl then turned to look around at the others, who also seemed to have choked up. The little girl gathered all the courage she had and went ahead to join them, taking little unsure steps but hoping to manage a game or two without being badgered, before time-up.
As she patiently waited for her turn to throw the marker, she stole a glance at the boss girl going around the park, pushing her way on to a swing or a seesaw. She thought about the sister, sitting at her study table with a Hindi book in her hand. The sister was usually quiet. She wondered if she was as scared of the boss girl as the little girl herself? She wasn’t sure, but it was most likely so.
The little girl played only for a while that evening. A certain pair of eyes following her in the park made her uncomfortable.
That day changed a few things for the little girl. Actually, only one. She never moved out to play before an exam. And never, as in, NEVER! Do you think she should have done that? What else could she have done?
Childhood is a trove of memories. Sweet, bitter, savory and sour- memories nonetheless. Not all childhood experiences are plain sailing. Neither do all of them come loaded with lessons and yet each one is endearing.
This October, join me for My Friend Alexa, Season 5 as I explore ‘The Little Girl’ series– about all that goes on in the lives of children. No lessons learnt, no moral overtones. Just simple, conventional and predictable stories for children, served with love!
#MyFriendAlexa #Season5 #Blogchatter
I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa Season 5
Loved reading this story. Love the fact that you are keeping it simple without any preachings… Can’t wait to read more..
LikeLike
The start of your story sounds so familiar. My daughter is 6 and her exams start tomorrow. She worried only about Hindi 😊
LikeLike
Very interesting theme, Sonia. Looking forward to all the posts
LikeLike
What a lovely series. Is the sketch yours?
LikeLike
Yes, childhood is full of such memories that stay with us for a lifetime, sometimes they change us for better or worse and are so impactful.
Like the creaking sound, the flung open gate this actually caught my visual impact and imagination.
Nice piece.
LikeLike
This is such a sweet and refreshing fiction series that you have thought of…looking forward to the posts and the cute sketches!
LikeLike
I am interested to read this series. It’s intriguing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The little girls childhood dairy seems quite interesting. Can’t wait to read more blog posts coming up
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLike
Pingback: WELCOME TO THE NEW SCHOOL (MY FRIEND ALEXA) – A Hundred Quills
After a long time I will revisit those days when I was a 6 year old.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad
LikeLike
Pingback: THE BUTTERFLY FLUTTERED ITS WINGS (MY FRIEND ALEXA) – A Hundred Quills
Eagerly waiting to read stories from the Little Girl’s childhood diary. Seems very interesting! Best wishes Sonia.
LikeLike
I have to agree with the little girl. Requiring exams of six-year-olds doesn’t make sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Liz you don’t know how frantic we Indians are when it comes to studies. Some day I shall talk about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would be interested in learning more about Indians’ views on education. For me, “frantic” and “studies” are two words that do not go together.
LikeLike
Very intriguing and quite enjoyable, Sonia! Looking forward to the series.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jyoti
LikeLike
Definitely going to be interesting read. I’m tuned !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 💐💐
LikeLike
Oh this sounds like a collection of heartwarming stories – a glimpse into the mind of the Little Girl. I can’t wait to read them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Shweta. I’ll see you around.
LikeLike
You too, dear ❤️
LikeLike
Looking forward to the series, Sonia. I always enjoy your fiction pieces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ritu
LikeLiked by 1 person