Preethi walked on the beach, angry and dissatisfied. School had closed and all her friends had gone away on their vacations. As usual, her parents said they would not go as they had a problem with travelling and...of course, they had work.
“Who ever heard of anyone working 365 days of the year?” she asked herself. “And not one...but both my parents work all days...without a break. Oh yes, Sunday they take a break. But that’s just one day!”
She kicked up sand and walked on. The sun blazed overhead. She was so cross with herself, the world and everything else that she had no idea where she was going and how far away she had walked from her house. Suddenly, she found herself in a coconut grove.
“Oh goodness! Where am I? I’ve never seen these palms before!” She looked around and nothing seemed familiar. Her heart beat louder and faster, sweat formed on her forehead, and fear clutched her heart. She ran through the trees trying to find a way back home. Tired and exhausted she collapsed against a tree.
“I need to calm down and think,” she said to herself. “And, remember, no more histrionics.”
Let’s touch the sky
Her eyes travelled around the grove. To her utter surprise she saw a broomstick standing against a coconut tree. It stood firm in the sand, the sun glinting off its long handle.
“What can a broomstick be doing here?” she asked, as she walked towards it. The handle was long and smooth and was nothing like she had seen before. The broom was not made of the usual sticks, but more like a brush with a band tying it to the handle.
She heard a voice say, “Go on, try it”. She looked around and there was not a soul in sight. It was just her, the trees and the sea in the distance.
She reached out and caught the handle. In one swift motion she found herself sitting on the broom and taking off. Scared she would bump into the trees, she gently steered the handle. Slowly, it gained height and before she knew it, she was flying over the tree tops. A cool wind blew in her face and she looked down. She saw the carpet of blue bordering the brown sand. Houses came into view on the side of the beach, and she tried to find her own. The coconut grove was nowhere in sight. For the rest of the afternoon she flew around.
When it was getting late, she decided to land. Instinctively, she knew she had to push her legs back and hug the stick. Close enough to the ground she put down her legs and the broom sailed smoothly to the ground.
When she got off, she heard a voice say, “Phew! That was good!” She looked around and could see no one.
She had landed in her own garden. Quickly, she hid her broomstick and with a smile on her face, she went indoors. When her parents got back from work, they were surprised to find her in such a good mood, considering the fact that when they left in the morning she was in a black thunder.
The next few days, Preethi couldn’t wait for her parents to leave. Every afternoon, when she knew the cook was resting, she sneaked out of the house. She flew around exploring the skies, the neighbourhood and even venturing out long distances. She was so cheerful and happy that her parents were concerned.
One afternoon, her mother called home. The cook came rushing to answer, “Where is Preethi?” asked her mother.
“Madam, I don’t know. Past few days she goes out after lunch. I think she has made some new friends. She comes back in a happy mood.”
Her mother was worried. What could Preethi be up to, she wondered. The Red Alert was sounded. Preethi’s parents rushed home. Preethi of course, was not home.
A couple of hours later, when they were completely eaten with anxiety and panicking, they heard the front door opening and Preethi waltzed in, singing loudly and joyfully.
“Preethi!” called her parents.
She stopped mid step, the song stuck in her throat.
“Where have you been?”
“Huh! Outside...”
“Where?”
The questioning went on for a long time until finally Preethi realised it was time to come clean.
“Actually...I know this might sound strange to you...but... actually...”
“Just say it...” said her father.
“I found a broomstick and I spend my afternoons flying around.”
She saw the look of disbelief on her parents faces and said, “See I knew you wouldn’t believe me. That’s why I didn’t say anything.”
Her parents looked at her in shock. Not a word came out of their mouths. After what seemed ages, her mother looked at her father and said, “See, I told you. We should have told her earlier! Then we could have all gone on a holiday!”
They’ve planned their next summer getaway. And, Preethi can’t wait to go flying with her parents.
