Kathir in the Castle

Once upon a time, there lived a boy called Kathir. He was Gudiya's brother, and he earned so much money that he bought a castle. He worked in the Kern office to earn that money.

In the castle, he needed a lot of furniture. He needed kitchen utensils to cook food, like a pan. Then he bought some furniture. Then one day Kathir saw a crown under the throne. The throne was in the middle of the wall. He took it and wore it. He saw something shining like gold on the roof. He went and saw a treasure box. He opened it and saw a lot of gold, money, and jewels inside. When he took a gold coin, it became another treasure box. When he took a coin from the other treasure box, it became another treasure box. Then he took another coin from this treasure box, and it became another treasure box. He thought what can I do with so much money, let me give it to the prime minister. He took some treasure and then he hid the rest in his almirah. Kathir went outside for some work. He had to go to meet Gudiya. Then he went to Gudiya's house and called her to the castle. Then they both went to the castle and both had so much fun inside the castle that Gudiya said  - I want to live here. Kathir said, Ok,  you can! But you must bring all your things to the castle. Then Gudiya brought all her things to the castle. Then they lived happily ever after.

Gudiya's story

I saw a crown, butterflies, and murgis, and I slept with them. The stars said happily, "You sleep, and Kathir will come." I had to go to work with Kathir because if Kathir didn't have a job, then I had to get him one.

Kathir came suddenly - there is a monster - save me! Gudiya got a stick and beat the monster so badly that the monster ran away. Then they lived happily ever after!

Memorable quotes!

Kathir was very upset about letting go of our Xylo (station wagon). He and his friends love the car just too much. It had a third row that they had all to themselves! Keya, as well as my in-laws, miss the car a lot!

So when we bought an automatic, Kathir was very disappointed asked Ripul - "So how is this an automatic if you still need to drive it???"

His version of an automatic car is one that drives by itself and does not need a driver! So true!

Hangi - Kathir’’s alien friend

Kathir, Keya and Parth with Hangi

Hangi is Kathir’s friend. He is an old friend of Kathir. When Kathir was in nursery, Hangi used to visit him. He used to live under the sewing machine table.

This is story of Hangi as narrated by Kathir.

Hangi is just like God but he is not God. He is Kathir’s friend. Hangi brings newspapers for me. The newspapers have some coins hidden inside them. The coins are Hong Kong dollars. Hangi makes Legos with Kathir and Parth. Sometimes, he sleeps with Kathir. Hangi’s favorite fruit is apple. Everyday, he makes apple juice for Kathir after he got up from his nap. He used to pluck mangos from very high mango trees. Hangi traveled on his space ship. It looks like this - (drawn on the balcony wall). He takes his space ship to he highest branch of the mango tree and pluck mangos.

Hangi took Kathir to space. Kathir used to take one apple everyday from Hangi. When Kathir was away, Gudiya always cried at home - Kathir chahiye, Kathir chahiye... When Kathir came back, Gudiya would stop crying but didnt want Kathir! And Kathir used to shout - Masi, can I got to Parths house. And masi said Yes. And Kathir ran to Parths house. Hangi came to Parths balcony  and parth opened the door. Hangi asked - Who are you? Kathir - He is my friend.
Hangi  Do you want to visit Jupiter?
We - No
Hangi - Do you want to visit Europe?
We - We said yes. We then went to Europe, bought some things and returned to Hyderabad. They landed on Kathirs balcony. They said Bye Bye to Hangi.

These days Hangi is traveling to Mars to visit his Mamma. He wanted to meet his Mamma. When Kathir went to school, Hangi would stay near his class window waiting for him. Hangi speaks to Kathir in Hindi.

The Naughty Keya - 2

Yesterday, Ripul and I came home to stunned silence. Saraswati (kids' nanny) wore a shocked look! She made things even more mysterious by saying, "This is the first for me in my life so far, not sure if this is the first for you as well!" I was expecting something bad!!

Keya, the tukdi (according to Dharuni), all of 3, had a fight with her teacher!! This is how the story goes. She wore lehenga-chunni to school. She refused to pin down her chunni (dupatta) and she also wore a toy watch and some bangles. Apparently, these were distracting her and the class so the teacher asked her to put them in her bag. And little Keya refused to comply!
Teacher, "Put them inside the bag."
Keya, "No I will not. Dupatta should be worn with lehenga, so I will wear it.
Teacher, "Keep the watch inside.
Keya, "No. I like wearing it."
Teacher, "I will complain to your mother that you are not listening to me."
Keya, "I will complain to my mother that you are scaring me."
Teacher, "You are making me angry!"
Keya, "I can also be angry. I am a strong girl." (and shows her muscles!)

Apparently, the teacher didn't find this funny and narrated it pretty seriously to the nanny. The other parents of course had a hearty laugh! I had a chat with Keya in the night. I told her to listen to her teacher and be polite. She nodded vigorously to all that I asked her to.

So to test her understanding, I asked, "If the teacher asks you to put the dupatta inside your bag, what will you do?" Keya,"I will keep wearing it!"

Naughty Gudiya

This is Kathir's story about Gudiya.

Gudiya came from Santa. Santa sent Gudiya to Mamma and said "Kathir is the best boy to take care of Gudiya." Gudiya loves Kathir. But Gudiya is very naughty. She hits Kathir a lot. When Gudiya hits Kathir, mamma makes Gudiya sit on a stool in the bathroom. Then Gudiya cries waaai...waaai....!!!! Mamma tells Gudiya not to cry. But Gudiya does not listen to Mamma. She runs out of the bathroom and Mamma catches Gudiya and again makes her sit inside the bathroom on the stool. Gudiya cries waaai..waaai!!! Mamma tells no crying and Gudiya says "Points cut!" Kathir tells, "Gudiya, be a good girl, then we will not make you sit in the bathroom."
Gudiya changes her clothes every minute. When she goes out, she changes her dress again! And when she goes to a party, over there she doesn't wear her rubber bands. clips and necklace! Then when she reaches home, again she changes! What a naughty girl she is!!

Gudiya is a good girl!
Gudiya brushes her teeth every morning and night. After she brushes her teeth in the morning, she eats her breakfast. And after she eats her breakfast, she goes and plays with Kathir. Then it becomes 9 o'clock. Then Parth wakes up. And Kathir and Gudiya rush to Parth's house to play. Then Parth tells, "Mamma, Kathir and Gudiya have come, please open the door." Parth's mother says, "climb up and open the door!"And then, Kathir calls Parth in his house. When Gudiya wears her baniyan and chaddi and walks, I like that the most. Gudiya always shares. Whenever she gets a chocolate, she first asks one for Kathir.

Tryst with God - continues...

Tryst with God and all God-related questions continue.

Gudiya has also joined the God-questioning brigade now. She asks questions like - God ka ghar kahan hai?

They are slowing coming to terms with the fact that while Nani is with God yet she is among us - can hear us, sends her love to us, can see us, if we want we can talk to her. So, with the dawn of all this realization, Nani is now back to our living room. Yesterday, Kathir and Gudiya helped me clear out the God shelf and settle Nani in a place where we can see her and she can see us more easily.

Couple of times, the kids ran up to her photograph and shared their secrets. In the morning today, Kathir wished her a warm good morning, Gudiya followed suit. Both glowed seeing Nani's smiling face.

Kids continue to dream about her. Kathir says he dreams of Nani everyday. Few days back Nani took him to the playarea, played with him and then asked Dadi to fill in while she went to attend some work. Gudiya says Nani sings to her and she in turn sang for Nani.

Yesterday, Kathir had a chat with Nani and said gleefully that Nani will be back very soon! Thats what Nani has promised him. Gudiya adds happily that Nani ab bilkul theek ho gayi hai aur God ke ghar se wapas ajaayegi.

Kathir was eating prasad from the temple yesterday and asks - Will Panditji also have an ending one day? I asked what? Will Panditji also go away one day, he repeats delicately. I said yes, everyone would. Then a new Panditji will take over? Yes, possibly I said. Somewhere Kathir is trying to grasp the delicate truth about nature - things are born, they live and then they go away. I am not sure if this saddens him or leaves an impression on his mind - but he seems to try to fit this concept with everything around him.

My conversations with mom continues. She wants to be in a place where she can see us all - all the time. So there she is! I am yet to build my picture wall with the collection of pics from down the memory lane.

Kathir and Gudiya are very excited about going to Bangalore - get our Dadu back and meet Anwesha!

Happy days with Dadu and Nani!

Who made God?

An interesting discussion over pizza among 6 year olds + Keya (3 yrs) about Who made God.

(From left to right - Gudiya, Priyansh, Arushi, Kathir, and Mihir)

Enjoy their innocence, ingenuity, and imagination!