The Talking Potholes

The potholes had come up on the street and sat there majestically,
plundering the safety of the people. The monsoon rains helped them to
disguise by filling them to the brim with the rain water.

The advent of the monsoon brought a pleasant feeling to the earth. The
earth enjoyed the rhythmic beat of the raindrops on her bosom. The
tapping of the drops were sometimes soft and sometimes harsh. The rains
flirted with the earth and she enjoyed every moment of it. There was
radiance in her smile and the human eye could perceive it from the
abundance of greenness all around. The sun had been very unkind to the
earth by giving her his scorching bite and so when monsoon moved in the
earth heaved a sigh of relief.

******

"Hey! Smally, there's a clear sky today,'' said Biggy.

"Biggy dear, it helps us no way. We are stationary potholes, hurting
others and getting hurt."

"The children are so happy. See, fat Pritam is boarding the school bus
and little Anita is crying."

"You are my senior, but frankly speaking I hate these children. They
trample me under their little feet, they don't bother for me. Stupid
children, don't understand the feelings of others, I hate them, I
repeat," said Smally in an upset tone.

"Can you see Big Brother further down the street He is the eldest
pothole in this street. He looks like a baby's bathing tub filled to
the brim. Isn't it?" questioned Biggy.

I can't see Big Brother. This car's rear wheel is blocking my view. How
do we look like Biggy dear?"

"Like big bowls filled to the brim." So saying Biggy gave a soft
chuckle.

"I can see the mischievous smile on your face. Up to something? Come
tell me Biggy what is in your mind."

"Today I am in the mood of talking. I will give you a running
commentary of the happenings down the street. The black clouds are
gathering and may tear down on us at any moment. Did you like my idea
of the running commentary?" Biggy gave Smally a begging look and said,
"should I start now."

"Start," said Smally in a commanding tone.

"This is Biggy giving you a running commentary of the happenings on
this street. Here comes the smart lady in her pink sari, walking down
the street, taking the help of the fingers of her left hand to hold the
sari pleats. Her left elbow is bent at 45 degrees to allow her to lift
the sari above her ankles. She has to hop now and then to keep her
steps from stamping the muddy pools. Whoosh, a splash
and?????????????????. Ooooofh

a young man is speeding down the street on his motor bike. Big Brother
has trapped his front wheel and splashed muddy water on the clothes of
an elderly gentleman. The young man is trying to speed away to avoid
the abuses. But lo! I can see another gentleman is now holding his
umbrella upside down. The handle is a curved one, shaped in a
semi-circle, looks like made of seasoned bamboo. He has stretched out
the curved end towards the neck of the young man and very sweetly the
handle has caught it. Trapped! Fully trapped, no way to go. Poor chap.
Abuses are being flung at him. Big Brother is enjoying the scene, and ?
and ? and ? I can't see. Huh! a van has stopped and blocked my view.
Two men have stepped down from the van and inspecting the road. The van
has something written on the front. Ah! it reads 'Municipal Corporation
of BBSR'. The corporation people have come. They are walking down
towards us, their eyes grazing the road. Carefully they are stepping
forward. They are quite close to me now."

Biggy, "may I interrupt?"

"Smally dear you can, but why did you interrupt?"

"I can see these men but can't hear them."

"I can hear them. They are very close to me. Let me pick up their
conversation. They want to repair this street."

"Excuse me for the interruption. Means we'll have to go. I love this
place," said Smally in a sad tone.

"They say that once the monsoon retires this year they will come to
tend the potholes ?? means 'Us'."

Biggy, what will happen to us? I can't bear the thought of going from
this place. It's time you sum up your running commentary."

"Smally we are not moving anywhere else. To sum up ___ These men have
signed our death certificate."