You Bring Your Own Weather To A Picnic !

March 10, 2018.

It’s funny how memories are made in the least expected ways. Sometimes, you see them coming, and yet they turn out to be much different from what you had anticipated. The picnic of the students of std. XI was an example of such.
It began even before it began. The bus rippled with excitement and carefree merriment. There were theories made on how amazing the place would be, while few others recited the rumors they had come to know of. The rest were plainly relaxed, and had left it upto destiny, ready to fly the way the wind took them.

The engine roared with the children, who burst into a frenzy of melodious singing. Sooner than later, a large chunk of the bus was tapping to the rhythm. The bus made a few stops, as the remainder of the class settled into the bus. The hum picked its frequency again. The gentle blowing wind was much a contrast to the air inside the moving metal box.

The bus halted at the gates of Netravali… which was the destination that had been assigned for the day. But the calling lay a hike away, the waterfall that uptil then the children had only vaguely pictured. The batch, along with the accompanying staff, had stalled for a while, enjoying the scenery along with the refreshments that were provided.
The guide showed up soon enough, and the class set out on its venture. Some ran up ahead, others walked at their own pace. There was laughter, banter and a bubbling excitement in everyone’s eyes. Nearly sixty feet tapped along with the Earth’s vibrations, hearts thudding along the way.

Soon their stamina began to give out, and the children began to slump and then sit on the ground, letting their muscles relax a moment, before they moved on again. The road wasn’t exactly carved, bumpy wouldn’t just suffice it’s smoothness. Then again, what’s a hike without a rocky mountain slope?

The trees were still, displaying nature’s pride along with the rustle of fallen leaves. A few children hoped to see some deer in that wilder nest. Some more pictured a wildcat jumping out of the thick green. It was a jungle after all!
The walking continued. The wait was seeming as though it’d never get over. But it did, nonetheless. The sound of gushing water prodded them further, and they were attracted to it as a moth to a flame. A flight of lesser developed stairs, carved solely out of rock ran down to the puddle of crashing water.

You know how people often say, it’s the climb that enhances the beauty of the top of the mountain, it was that for the children. Except of course, the mountain top was replaced by a lovely waterfall.

As the children all began filing in, one by one, the water made a haven for them. Give or take a few minutes more, and almost everybody had gotten their feet wet in the water. The water soothed their muscles, and the company of their friends helped them let go and enjoy without restraint. Not that there was any in the first place.

They played with the water and they played with one another, then they stopped a clicked pictures in the water. Then the walk back down began. It was the same as the first, only it was easier. The picture clicking did not terminate, not that it was expected to.

Reaching back to where the bus stood positioned, the batch was taken to the spice farms. It was nearing four o’clock, and yet the children were now having their lunch. Cold water was chugged down in the matter of seconds. Beautiful food walloped in few more.

Then came the game of housie. A rectangular piece of paper with numbers arranged across it was given each to a student. The teacher called out a number, after she had announced the list of prizes. Eager as they were, the children kept the game on way after it had gotten over.

After one photo at the spice farms, everyone set out on the voyage back home. There were memories made in this place. They came vague, and went back solidified. Yet, one couldn’t see them coming. The experience was enthralling, and definitely one to share. A big Thank you to all those who made it memorable….

.- Prepared By Vidula Dempo, Student Of STD XI, M.A.H.S.S.