Our entire neighbourhood was abuzz with the news of a burglary at Janaki aunty’s house. Aunty was out of town when the thief broke in last night and decamped with money and silver articles.
Janaki aunty had a beautiful garden. But she also had a strange habit. Every day, she would talk to the plants and trees in her garden. My parents and I visited her after the burglary. Aunty was talking to her coconut tree. “Don’t worry Coco dear, that thief will be caught.”
I tried to suppress my laughter. She put aside a green coconut from the ground. “That horrible thief also stole my garden gnome,” said Janaki aunty. She picked up a potted plant. “Don’t worry Nini baby, I know you miss our garden gnome.”
Mounting hilarity
I burst out laughing. “What is so funny, Ajay? Remember plants have feelings and emotions too. You have hurt Nini by laughing,” said Janaki aunty.
“I am sorry Nini,” I said and continued to laugh aloud. Janaki aunty was angry and she went inside her house. My parents ordered me to apologise to aunty.
Next day, Mani, the delivery boy entered, carrying a water can. After Mani kept the water can inside the house, he came out and …..“THUD”. A coconut fell directly on Mani’s head. He was unconscious. I ran for help and luckily, I bumped into Akash uncle, Janaki aunty’s brother. Uncle and I carried Mani to his car and took him to a nearby hospital. The doctor told us Mani suffered a mild concussion but there was nothing to worry about.
We then went to Mani’s house and informed his parents. Akash uncle offered to take them to the hospital. Suddenly, we saw Mani’s little sister with a toy figure in her hand. I snatched it from the girl and showed it to Akash uncle. It was the bearded gnome from Janaki aunty’s garden! Akash uncle and I jumped into the car and were off before before Mani’s father realised that their game was up and called some local goons to stop us.
I went to Janaki aunty’s garden and hugged Coco. “Thanks for making me a hero. But you are the real hero. You couldn’t stop Mani on the night of the burglary. The coconut you dropped that night missed him. But you didn’t miss your target, when he came again,” I said to Coco.
I realised then that Janaki aunty’s garden friends will always keep a watch over her.
