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I awoke on my first morning in the village, feeling apprehensive. I was quite aware that being on holiday and living in the area, were not the same thing. The telephone shrilled, my friends were on line, wishing me a "happy New Year". Indeed, it was going to be different from all the years past.
First I had to get myself a newspaper. Earlier, when we were in need of a newspaper, we used to fetch it from the nearest town, which was about 4km. away. But now, it meant taking a bus into town every morning! Ugh, the thought was daunting. But I needed to read a newspaper! So I went by bus anyway and made inquiries: "No," they said, "we don't deliver, and as far as we know no one covers that area." But after making a few more inquiries, it came to pass, that there was someone delivering papers, just short of our destination by a few km. We located the person. It took a little persuasion, but finally we struck a deal. He would cycle to the boutique closest to our area and deliver the papers at no extra charge! I could walk down and collect it at my convenience. In return I was to pay for my monthly stock of newspapers in advance. I felt relieved. At least I could keep abreast with what was happening in the wider world.
We do have electricity in the area and quite a few people do have T.V. But our bungalow, which has been specifically a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city had steered clear of all modern amenities. The lifestyle here was of an era past, quiet, serene, the pace leisurely. The only electrical items, that have a place in the scheme of things were, a kettle, a toaster and a radio which picks up only SLBC!
But now I had brought with me a piece of the modern world. The computer. I am one of those who feel disabled without one. Having got used to electronic communication, a pen and paper seems a chore and the typewriter had long been disposed off as it was gathering dust.
The next step was to get my computer started. Having relied heavily on the technical assistance available in Colombo, I felt a little diffident. So before leaving Colombo I had ensured that all my equipment was well serviced, and the technician explained to me very patiently what plug went into which socket. Meanwhile, I took a permanent marker and wrote 'top' on the plug to ensure that it went in the right way, and made markings at the back of the CPU, to ensure every one was positioned correctly. Now I installed my computer in my new setting, and it functioned. I felt relieved.
Then ofcourse I lost no time in getting myself connected to the Internet and made myself contactable. I felt more comfortable and in control.
My two canine bodyguards had been quicker at taking control. They had terrorized all the other dogs in the vicinity and sent them scuttling to the boundaries of the land. Only a muscovite duck remained. He had been used to having his own way with every other animal on the land that surrounded the house. The dogs had never seen a duck in their life. They were fascinated by the creature and kept circling it. The duck hissed its objection at their scrutiny. The dogs were amazed. They sat on either side to watch it more closely. The duck bristled and continued to hiss louder and wag its tail in indignation. The dogs misinterpreted the gesture and started wagging their tails, pleasantly surprised to find that they had something in common. The duck only hissed at them louder and turning his back in disdain, waddled off. The two dogs seemed puzzled. What type of a creature was this?
The poor duck was puzzled too; it had seen four legged animals before but these were different. These were being brushed daily and given meals at specific times in bowls. They didn't have to forage for their food! So it took to coming over to their bowls at mealtime. The dogs growled their disapproval. The duck was not used to being treated thus, and decided to intimidate them. It hissed loudly and put its beak into the dog's bowl. The dog snarled. The duck took umbrage and squawked loudly and puffing itself out, flapped its wings and jumped in the air. The dogs thought enough was enough and pounced at it. The duck did a pirouette in mid-air and took off into the underbrush, with the dogs in hot pursuit. No amount of my pleading: 'come back' was heeded. I sped after the dogs in the hope of saving the duck, all the time wondering would the owners understand, if I said "my dogs had your duck for dinner".
I came to a halt. The duck was lying in a shallow ditch with the dogs panting and sniffing at it. I peeked. Its eyes were open and unblinking, and it wasn't giving any sign of life. But looking at it closely, I could see its heart was beating. (It would be difficult to hold one's breath after such a sprint). The duck was playing 'dead' and wishing, I suppose, that the dogs would go away.
At last they did. But not before plucking a few feathers off the bird, before stalking off. The duck got the message and never messed with them again.
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