"Grandma! Tell me a story!" I yelled at the top of my voice, almost knocking off her bottle of hair oil which was placed on the windowsill with its cap open and drops of oil dripping at its side. Grandma, who was used to all of this chattering of mine, smiled at me and said." Story? Haven't I told you one an hour ago? Dear me, do you think I do not run out of tales to tell you? Maybe, you can go and play with your toys, Neel. Hadn't you bought a brand new book from the market when you'd gone to the barber to cut your hair." She smiled. "So many things to do!" She added as I continued to stare at her.

"Please tell me a story, Grandma." I pleaded. "Wouldn't you fulfil the dreams of your grandson? When I grow up, I'll tell my grandchildren loads of tales. I'm sure their minds would be blown away! My grandchildren would never be bored."

Grandma laughed. "Blown away?" She said, "Yes, you are correct. Too many stories might certainly drive you crazy. But, do understand, Neel. I have no stories to tell you now. I'm afraid you must go to your room. Why don't you bring the mangoes your mother has cut? As far as I remember, it is still on the kitchen platform in a transparent container. Get those mangoes. Maybe you are really hungry. "

On hearing that, I sprang up to my feet and ran to the kitchen as grandma waited. In just a few minutes, I was back with the bowl of mangoes. I kept them beside grandma and said. "Here! Now please tell me a story. I am desperate to hear one!"

Grandma laughed again. "I'd like to eat first. Maybe stories might form up in my mind if I eat. I wonder…"

I looked at her, "This does not seem practical, grandma. It sounds like magic. Are you speaking of magic? Ma says magic isn't real. She calls the shows I watch on television… Yes, fiction. She calls them fiction and she is quite certain about it. Anyway, let's eat so that your mind can be charged like a battery. Here!" I opened the lid of the container and gave it to her. I myself picked up a slice of mango and ate. Mangoes were tasty, but my thirst for stories wasn't quenched yet.

After eating a few slices I asked grandma to tell me a story. Grandma looked at me and finally, she decided to speak. But before she could say another word, she accidentally pushed the bottle of hair oil out of the window and down to the ground floor from their home which was on the second floor. Grandma yelped. Seeing this, I looked at her and said, "don't worry! Grandma! I'm going to get you your hair oil. You wait here, Grandma! I'll be back. I'll be back in a few minutes."


With that, I got up and ran downstairs to bring her hair oil. After I reached the spot, I looked around. But I couldn't find the bottle of hair oil anywhere. I wondered where it had gone. That's When I saw the trail. Yes, the trail. The trail of oil leading right out of the open gate of the compound. I did what I could. I followed it and soon spotted the reason for the trail. A dog had the bottle in his mouth. The moment he saw me, he ran away and took  the first right in a hurry.


"Hey! Come back! Come back!" I yelled. But the dog simply fled. So I decided to chase him. I took a deep breath and followed the dog yelling "come back! Come back" which startled many people on the road. There was only one good news, the dog left a trail of oil behind and that was the positive thing about it. Yet, it was all too difficult.


I was soon tired of...