Roles Reversed

The Story of Periaazhvaar

- LAKSHMI DEVNATH

Poorva’s palm felt damp from the dew on the grass. Hardly a minute ago, she had been high up in space with the birds, and now … Peering at her hand with some amusement, she thought, “This trip is offering a mixed bag of surprises. I’m by now so familiar with such happenings that nothing can astonish me any more. Not just that, I can probably smell one coming even at a distance.” Poorva could not have been more wrong.

Another funny sensation – this time a snail was nonchalantly making its way across her toes. “Hey, Mr. House-on-your-back, am I in your territory or are you in mine? I suppose it must be both,” laughed Poorva, realising that she was in a garden.

Right before her eyes, the flying carpet vanished. “That was a mighty smooth landing. Pilots can take a tip or two from you,” she said, looking at the spot where the carpet had been. That was when something hard fell on her head.

“Ouch!”

“Nut,” said the Swami.

It was only then that Poorva became aware of the Swami’s presence. She glared at him.

The Swami pointed to the nut that had rolled on to the grass after hitting her head. She looked up and noticed a squirrel, perched on a branch, looking sorrowfully at the fortune that had slipped out of its grasp.

Poorva laughed heartily. “Swami Thaatha, where are we now? You know, we are jetting from one place to another like some of those rich and famous people that I read about in magazines. I believe they have breakfast in Rome, lunch in Paris, and so on. They’re so lucky, aren’t they?”