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8/10/2019 Chalk and Cheese - by Procheta Khan
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It is a frustrating experience to have an older brother
who always provokes you, irritates you and often gets
you in to trouble. Only if brothers were created as
innocent, harmless and obedient creatures always at the
mercy of their younger sibling. Living with an older
brother is like participating in the wrestlers ring.
MOMMY!!! Michael put a dead cockroach in my
underwear drawer! Sami yelled out.
You scared little complain box! Michael replied.
Just wait and watch what I do to you, Michael Sami
stormed out of the kitchen.
BOYS, not again. I am tired of your regular complains
and pranks! I need to work on my designs. if I hear one
more complain I will be very upsetFor lunch, Mrs Leonard prepared steaming hot rice with
Thai curry. Freshly baked brownies were neatly
arranged on the plate for desert. Sami and Michael were
playing video games in their room.
Sami, come help me to arrange the table for lunchMrs Leonard called out from the kitchen. Coming
mom! saying Sami paused his video game. Michael
smirked at Sami. Why do you never call Michael to
help you in the kitchen? He has never done something
useful for you. Why always me? Sami whined
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The Leonard family had a hearty meal which concluded
with a delicious desert treat. Their eyes were droopy
and tired. They stretched and yawned while going back
to their bedrooms. Mrs Leonard woke up and looked at
the clock with groggy eyes.
Oh, my god! Its 5:00
come on Sami and Michael, its time for your Chocs
and milk
She put on the coffee maker to prepare fresh coffee for
herself. Michael and Sami came wobbling inside the
kitchen where two bowls of milk and a box of Chocs
awaited them.
They hurriedly gobbled down their snacks. Meanwhile
Mrs Leonard got dressed to go to the grocery super
market. She drew a list of things they need. She quickly
jotted down in her diary where she always write her to
do lists.
Michael, walk faster! And dont go back to your
bedroom to sleep. You cant sleep all day. You also
need to go out and play. Look at Sami, he has already
changed and ready to go.
Sami felt a rush of pride for being praised by his mom.
He stood at the door behind Mrs Leonard, pointed at his
brother and sneer on his face. Michael gave him a
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revengeful look. Sami knew how malicious his brother
was and indeed he felt terrified at prospect of what he
could do.
Michael, Sami we cant
waste any more time.
Michael quickly went to
his room to change.
Meanwhile Mrs Leonard
manoeuvred the car
outside the garage.
Michael came rushing
out of the house with
one shoe in his hand and
the other on his rightfeet. Mrs Leonard
started the car after
every one was settled.
Sami how many times have I told you to wear decent
clothes and not those crumpled long t-shirts and those
faded shorts? Yeah and those stinky socks which
makes people stay miles away from you, Michael
sniggered. OK, I have had it with you two. I am going
to drop you both at the park. You will behave civil with
each other. Is it clear?
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The car passed by country side market place. The road
was lined with maple, pine and palm trees. And beside
the trees there were the shops scattered around the
residential settlement. There were variety of shops you
could ever imagine and so the Leonards always came
here even if they needed a tiny paperclip. There was
also an ice cream shop where the whole family gorge on
delicious seasonal ice cream every Saturday. Ms
Leonard dropped both of them at the joggers park. Thesiblings stepped out of the car with their caps, water
bottles and football. WARNING! If any of you do any
mischief you wont get ice cream from icy layers
tonight Ms Leonard warned them. Michael looked
worried.
Michael and Sami stood in front of a huge gate which
looked like entrance to a palace. Two ivy statues of
unknown angels flanked the entrance to the park. there
were two play grounds on either side of the park which
made both the kids very
fond of the park. the bestthing about the park was
the beautiful duck pond
which was situated at the
centre of the park. There
was a small arch above
the pond. The water was
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so crystal clear that the colourful whirling fishes even at
the depth of pond could be seen. The fence around pond
was built for all the ducks, swans, and rabbit. Beside the
pond there was also a big cage full of beautiful chirping
birds. A calm and mind refreshing for the joggers park
visitors and more so for the old folks who sometime get
bored at home so they love to come here. They sit on
park benches in little groups comparing the olden days
to that of the present generation or sharing their ownchildhood stories or they do a little exercise or feed the
ducks etc.
Like most old folks, Mr Gordon too looked forward to
his regular park visits with his dog, Calvin. His balding
head and wrinkled face did not prevent him from beingactive and cheerful. He loved spending time with
children and whenever he came across any child he
would give big warm smile.
As he was standing on the arch and throwing bread
crumbs down to the ducks, Calvin jumped along
woofing and hoofing with joy. After a while Mr Gordon
came down the arch and came into the pond area
through a small gate. He sat on a rock partially
submerged in the water. Sami was sitting behind Mr
Gordon and gazing at the ducks, swans and the rabbit
hoping on the land around the pond.
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Meanwhile Michael was scheming to make a joke out
of him. The bush behind which he was hiding
camouflaged with his t-shirt so no one could spot him.
he had a clear view of Sami and Mr Gordon. He
sniggered as he quietly crept out of the pond towards
Sami. He gave him a sudden push but instead of him
falling into the pond, he was thrown upon Mr Gordon.
Poor grandpa was not able to grab hold of anything for
support and fell into the pond with a big splash.Michael froze and his face turned pale. He stood
horrified at what he had done but he ran and decided to
lay low so that he doesnt get into trouble.
You idiot! You threw me into the pond!!! What do you
think of yourself? Mr Gordon shouted withdisappointment.
Calvin started barking and the disappeared from the
scene. All the old people chatting and resting dropped
everything and rushed. Sami was afraid of what could
happen next. All ducks in the pond were quacking hard
now and when grandpa came out of the pond dripping
wet a swan came rushing towards grandpa.OUCH!!! I
am ready to kill you little rat. All your fault! Ouch,
ouch, ouch
Two young men came rushing though a gate into the
pond area. They both were wearing an orange jumpsuit
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Michael was perched on top of a tree afraid to come
down as Calvin had been chasing all this while and now
he was sitting down, waiting for him to come down.
What are you
doing with my
child? Mrs
Leonard asked.
Sparks flew out of
her eyes. So you
are the spoilt kids
mother, if you see
we havent done
anything to him, look what he has done to poor Mr
Gordon over there came a reply from the crowd. Ohmy god, that man is soaking wet! Mrs Leonard. Your
lad has pushed Mr Gordon into the duck pond said the
maintenance guy no I didnt shouted Sami. Mrs
Leonard looked at her son with a snapped, complained
and confused look.
What!!! Sami is naughty but he will never push or hit
someone! Look Mr Gordon you must have mistaken
Sami said Mrs Leonard firmly. no! it was him who
was sitting right behind me and then he just spoilt my
lovely day. said grandpa. But Mrs Leonard didnt seem
to change her mind. She was very sure Sami was not
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capable of harming someone intentionally. Sami look,
be honest, did you push Mr Gordon in to the pond.
asked Mrs Leonard patiently. Mom, I didnt do it,
honest. Sami quivered.
Michael climbed down when he saw no sign of the dog.
He tip toed to a near bush the gathered crowed. But
Calvin wouldnt let go any one who troubled his master.
This smart dog came out from behind a tree. Quickly
and quietly came behind him and barked loudly. He
turned around; his eyes were pale with fear as though he
had just seen a ghost. He could feel his heart beating
faster. He got up and ran screaming his lungs out while
Calvin chased him. The dog chasing became the centre
of attention of the whole crowd. It take long for Calvinto catch him as he tripped over. Calvin caught hold of
his t-shirt and dragged him in front of grandpa.
Grandpas jaw dropped open. Everyone looked utterly
bewildered. Mrs Leonard and Sami were shocked.
Michael! Where and what were you doing all this
while asked Mrs Leonard. But Michael lay on the
ground panting trying to catch his breathe. Calvin!
What are you doing? Why are you troubling this boy?
What he done he done!? grandpa asked. woof, woof
Calvin barked incessantly trying to make his point. I
think you should have a talk with your children and sort
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things out he requested the angry mob to disperse,
allowing Mrs Leonard to speak with her children alone.
Now one of you have to tell me the truth behind the
fiasco said Mrs Leonard with wide eyes. Michael I
had asked you something what were you doing all this
while and why was that dog behind you??? He kept
his head hang low without uttering a word. Michael
what have you done?
Michael started weeping loudly. Now that he knew that
he couldnt keep anything hidden he blurted everything
out. Mom, Its not my fault I didnt mean to push
grandpa into the pond Michael sobbed. Mrs Leonard
clashed her hand on her fore head and sighed. Sami
looked devastated. Michael you have really crossed aline here. Both of you sit in the car Saying she pulled
both of them in the car and drove away. The entire ride
was deathly silent. Tears were continuously streaming
down their cheeks.
After parking the car Mrs Leonard took the grocery
packets and went straight to the kitchen without saying
a word to her sons. Mrs Leonard unpacked all the
groceries and got fresh while the sibling lay on their bed
thinking of all that happened. Sami was still crying on
his teddy which he held tightly in his arms. They didnt
say a word to each other as if the other didnt exist.
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After sometime Mrs Leonard went up the stairs to their
bedroom. Wash your hands and face, change your
clothes and come down to the kitchen. We need to
talk. They blindly listen to what their mother told them
to do and came down to the kitchen table where their
mother was waiting for them.
Michael I am very disappointed with you.I cannot
imagine what possibly have overcome you to be so
nasty with your own brother. Boys you need to
understand even if its hard to understand each other
you both are totally responsible for each other. You
cant keep on fighting and troubling each other.
Everyone appreciates you have a good rapport with
each other. Michael just tell me what made you dothis? he hang his head low in shame. I am afraid your
actions have consequences. You have done it and you
are going to pay for it. For two weeks you are
grounded, no game, no T.V, no birthday parties and no
going out to play. I think that will serve you right.
However much Sami couldnt help but feel sorry forhim. Now huge each other and say I love you brother
They hugged each other. Sami whispered I love you
Micky but Michael didnt return the gesture. Michael
I didnt hear you mom, I am saying it in my mind.
Mrs Leonard rolled her eyes and sighed. Ok, you both
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can go and think about
what we discussed said
Mrs Leonard.
They both go upstairs
and sit down to finish
their homework. Sami I
am very sorry. I didntthink of my actions. You
must be so angry with
me. Itsall right said
Sami trying forget all
that happened. Michael
gave him a warm huge.Sami filled with
happiness as he had
never seen his brother so nice to him before. Maybe this
was the being of a new relationship.