The window of my room opens at the back side of my house, which is covered by shrubs and trees young and old. The place is dark shady and when it rains, the ditches and holes, are filled with water and turns into smaller lake. And then the migratory birds’ nests on the branches of trees submerged in the water. They live here happily, catching small insects flying over the lake and continue to live there till their younger one become strong enough to fly.  I watch the mother birds feeding their younger one; helping them to fly with their tiny wings; and to protect them from wild cats, dogs and snakes.

I can watch every small and big activity that takes place on the other side of the window as I spend most of my hours of the day there. I sit at the study table, taking breakfast, and learning my lessons from my tutor. My PC is also placed there, where I surf when there is nothing to be seen on the other side of the window.  At the advent of morning everyday, I come by my window and remain there. For a brief time I move to the dining room for taking lunch. After I finish lunch I again reach to the window of my room and then I explore through my window the whole day. I take my dinner, at the dining table, with my mom who comes in the evening.

I take my dinner, at the dining table, with my mother who comes in the evening. At that time I tell her all that I had seen through out the day from my window.  My mother is not tired of listening to my stories; even if it is insignificant and routine one, like that of the Post Man Ramu, who while passing through my window on his bicycle, would invariably ask me, if I had seen the big snake that lived on the big tree. And he would always tell me that one day the snake would come through my window and eat me up. I know, he tries to frighten me. I also know that he was always kidding. But he does not know that I am not afraid of snakes and that I have already seen that snake many times near my window. Last time when I saw the snake it was climbing up the tree. I was much worried as on the branches of that tree, many birds had made their nests and many eggs were hatched recently. To tell you the truth I don’t like him. He never smiles. But it is not his fault. He cannot smile even if he wishes. For due to paralysis of his face he can not move his lips and face muscles. This has turned him grimfaced. I have noticed that when ever there is a slight movement near their nests the young birds would open their mouth in anticipation of their feed. Only yesterday I saw a fierce fighting. As the snake was moving through bushes it made a hushing sound.   This made the young birds active and they started opening their mouth and calling for feed. Seeing the snake near the nests the helpless mother bird started making frantic calls. At the same time a miracle took place. From no where a mongoose appeared and jumped over the snake on the tree. Both the snake and the mongoose fell down on the earth. A fierce fighting took place and ultimately the snake fled from the scene. I felt so happy.

Then there is Pawan Dahi Wala (the curd seller). When he walks with his Polio stricken leg in a sweeping action, he looks like a flying snake. I always wonder how he manages to balance the pitcher of curd on his head. But his face is always smiling though at times it turns grim. He would definitely stop at my window and would ask if I would buy the curd. And I would always say that I can’t take the curd as that it was sour and tangy and if I take the curd my tonsillitis would become worse. But he would insist that his curd was not sour and that I should try at least for once.

One day I told him that I would buy the curd the next day and he should come with good quality of curd. I told my mother about Pawan and the curd and she permitted me to buy the curd. Next day I was very happy that I would be purchasing the curd from Pawan. That day I came to my window a bit early, so that I may not miss Pawan. I waited for him quite long, all my friends like Ramu the Post Man with his bicycle, Sita, Mohan, and Vikram passed by my window with their school bags. But Pawan was no there to be seen. I felt bad and disappointed. It was fag end of the day. The shadow started lengthening. Suddenly, I heard the call of Pawan...Dahi (curd)... le lo. This was the familiar call my ears were used to. Pawan has come. Pawan came near to my window and said Rahul. I have brought curd for you and started giving me the curd. He looked to be worried and sad. I noticed that and asked what the matter was? Why he was late and worried? “Nothing” ...he tried to avoid. But I was not to leave him. I asked him again. Then he told me that he had received a telegram from his village. His son was very ill. His eyes became wet while telling me that his son, who was of my age, was beaten by a deadly snake, in his village and he was very ill. And that he was to leave for his village immediately. He had come only to deliver the curd to me. And now immediately he would leave for his village. While parting he said, “I don’t know Babla (name of his son) would survive or not” and as he was saying so, he could not control the tears. What he told me next made me very sad. He told me that he belongs to a very poor family. There is no work for him at his village. For his livelihood he has come to the city and by selling curd he is rearing his family... his wife ...and his only son. He left his son at the village when he was only one year old and for the last 7 years he is here and could not go to his village to meet his son and wife, as he had not enough money to bear the travel expenses. That by seeing me, he remembers his son, who was now of my age. Hearing Pawan, I too could not control my tear. I tried to give him what ever money I had with me as my pocket money. But he was reluctant.Somwhow; I made him to accept the money. While returning he gave me curd and refused to take any money. He departed sobbing and wishing me.

I don’t know how long I remained absorbed in Pawans thoughts. Suddenly, the air started blowing strongly. The sky turned mystic black with clouds. The darkness spreads its wings every where. In the dim light I saw a big snake approaching towards a little boy. The thundering sound of clouds, flashing of lightening, and the swirling snake announced that all is not well with boy. The pans of my window started shattering. I tried to stand of my own from my chair, with my crutches, but I could not control and fell down on the floor. I remained there in pain till I heard my mother calling me ...Rahul, Rahul, Rahul. When I opened my eyes I found my mom hanging over me looking worried. It was already late evening by then.