Growing up with granddaughter

Yesterday when I started watching the Wimbledon semi-finals between Murray and Roddick, my second son’s daughter Nonee (Annie) was playing chess with her aunt. Soon their game was over and the little granddaughter asked me whether I wanted to play. I was more interested in watching tennis.

After a while Nonee came with a small torch, held it close to my mouth without switching on and started asking questions. I knew she was simulating an interview, and played along.

It went on like something like this:

Nonee(N): Do you play chess?

Me (M): Used to.

N: How good were you?

M: Okay at college level.

N: Why don’t you play now?

M: Difficult to concentrate.

(Pause.)

N: You seem to like tennis better.

M: I like tennis also.

N: Have you played tennis?

M: Yes.

N: Where?

M: Home, college, club.

(The next question I had anticipated did not come.)

N: Who do you think will win today? Murray?

M: Roddick is playing better.

N: But who do you want to win?

M: The better player.

N: That’s a smart answer.

M: I’m a smart chap.

N: You are. Thank you.

M: Thank you.

N (moments later): Did you know that you were interviewed live?

M: That’s not fair. You should have warned me.

N: Then it wouldn’t have been so natural.

M: I could have put on some makeup.

N: That’s okay. You looked fine.

M: Thank you.

N: You’re welcome.

The granddaughter took my mobile phone and pretended dialing. Then she gave me a big grin and said: Know what? Millions of people all over the world watched you.

M: Really?

N: Yes, all the people in my imaginary world.

That was it. A child’s imagination! Absolutely fascinating. When my kids were small I didn’t have so much time to spend with them. Now it is different. And I am learning many things from the grandchildren. Their range of knowledge is so much higher than mine at their age.

Recently, while preparing the post Photos: More of pastoral Olavipe

I couldn’t get the right word for frog’s eggs. Usually in such situations I ask my wife. (That is easier than looking up dictionary.com.) In this instance she couldn’t recall either.

Nonee who was overhearing cut in: Why don’t you ask me? I did that and pat came the answer: Spawn.

A year back this granddaughter showed me how to unlock parental lock on TV. No one had thought of setting a code, so it is ‘0000’. Now we must change that.

Later this month Nonee would be 10.

Also see:

My Valentine’s Day

My Valentine’s Day

Those who know my age might wonder what I am talking about. Well, I too had a Valentine’s Day surprise.

I remembered the significance of yesterday on opening the news papers in the morning. There were reports about the security arrangements (at least in South India) to restrain the self-styled ‘Moral Police’ forces causing problems on Valentine's Day. Deciding to watch the TV after breakfast to see what happens, I moved to the dining room.

Suddenly my nine year old granddaughter Nonie (Olakkuda – Palmyra leaf umbrella) blocked my way. She said that the food was not ready and I should wait. That was surprising because the cook had come early in the morning and she is quite efficient.

I returned to the newspapers till Nonie finally announced breakfast. I asked her what was there and she answered ‘Poorie and potato curry’. That is something I like.

I sat down and took two poories in my plate, as directed my granddaughter. Then I realized there was something different about them. They were heart-shaped. There were two such poories for each member of the family. I assumed that Nonie had cut the pieces rolled by the cook to pattern with kitchen scissors.

The previous night she had asked me to set the alarm for her for 6.30 in the morning. I did that but enquired why she wanted to get up that early on a holiday. She had mumbled some answer.

My wife told me after breakfast that Nonie had planned everything the previous night. The little girl woke up with the alarm and went to the kitchen. She rolled the dough in the shape of heart herself. Not quite perfect but nevertheless a tough job.

My granddaughter would have learned about Valentine’s Day obviously from the several programs about it on the TV channels for children. And, undoubtedly, she made the surprise breakfast as an expression of love.

No dispute that the Valentine’s Day and the New Year that many people in India celebrate according to the Gregorian Calendar, are imports from the West.

At least the poorie is Indian!

Pretty Cool

This is a computer generated image by my 8 years old granddaughter Annie Tharakan.
I'm impressed by it.

Also see:

Olakkuda – Palmyra leaf umbrella

The tooth fairy came by...