A few days back I had two very unwelcome, self invited guests – a slimy lizard and a big, fat rat. Over the years I have seen rats make it to my house around Ganesh Chaturthi. You know rat is the vehicle of the elephant headed Lord Ganesha – the God of prosperity. Even then there’s no reason to let it in.
And a lizard? Simply no no. They have that despicable tendency to suddenly fall on your shoulder. Fable has it that if it falls on your right side it brings good luck. Or is it left? Anyways, once it fell on my head and did a jig but no luck came with it.
Both are now hiding in some cozy nook giving me the jitters. The rat makes it a point to make unexpected appearances as per its own whim and fancy. I laid out the trap – not the iron one with a clasp but now it’s a book with paste. The rat gets stuck on it unable to move. You just have to throw the whole contraption out hoping the mischief monger will somehow find a way to wrench itself out of the glue.
With the lizard it was a different story. The first time I realised its presence inside, I made all sorts of noise to scare it out – from clapping to shaking the chik (bamboo blind) on which it was lazing to brandishing a broom accompanied by war cries. But it just looked the other way. Wicked! Then it disappeared. After a while I found it all over the wall in a journey of happy discoveries. Then it made a point to play hide and seek.
The other night when I was retiring to bed I found it on the lower side of the wall mirror staring fixedly at some invisible insect on the floor. I was all alone. Therefore, more scared. I unlocked the front door, got the broom and attacked it. It dropped on the floor and then crawled up the almirah. I beat it again with the broom. It jumped, fell to the ground and vanished.
Since then it’s not to be seen. But that has not alleviated my fears because every time I dust a corner, draw the curtains, make the bed I dread it will reappear like a jack-in-a-box. Even after my first-in-a-lifetime-fierce-battle with a reptile I am none the braver.
Last night I heard imaginary footsteps all over the house though lizards are not supposed to walk around in shoes. And that indolent rat? I don’t know what mess it’s up to and where. As I switch off the lights at night I feel cold sweat trickling down my back with spine chilling music in the background.
I pray Lord Ganesha will put his vehicle to good use. As for that godforsaken lizard I hope Bappa instills some good sense into its non-existent brain so that it makes a dignified exit out my house.
Ganapati Bappa Moreya
Agle Baras Too Jaldi Aa
(O Lord Ganesha please come soon next year)
But please not with that evil looking rat and the dreaded lizard!!!
Thank you, Geeta, for making me laugh at your predicament, but my sympathy is with your visitors! I like Lord Ganesh, and if the rat is one of his associates, he would be welcome in my house. You should offer some nice treats, and never glue or anything to harm him.
Joanna
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That laugh is the most required and rewarding Joanna. Yesterday was Ganesh Chaturthi. I offered him his favourite sweets and prayed which includes his associates too. Isn’t the Lord cute?
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Lord Ganesh is indeed cute and likable! But I think the celebrations will go for the next 9 days?!
Joanna
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Yes till the end of this month.
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Thank you, Geeta, and Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
Joanna
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Same to you too Joanna.
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Thank you, Geeta!
Joanna
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I hate these two animals too.
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Likewise Sadje. They are bothering me.
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Rat poison is an option. An empty egg shell scares the lizards.
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Somehow I don’t want to kill them I just want them to go and leave me in peace.
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A rat is bearer of infections. Better get rid of it. Lizards have their uses as they eat small insects.
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True
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Oh, Geeta, I would have freaked out and done a constant jig! I just had to laugh at the way you wrote about it 😂 I would be thinking about the symbolism there! x
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Hee hee 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Believe me I am also in the same mode.
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I guess you have a few more scary creatures than we do
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Yes, we have all sorts Derrick 😉
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Ohhh! I can deal with a lizard but rats or mice scare the life out of me! Haha. I’m glad that you found way to deal with these unwanted visitors
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I cannot deal with rats. Our block is full of rodents. I hate reptiles. Terrible.
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I understand your fears, Geeta. I hope the outdoor creatures find refuge outdoors.
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I hope so too Mary
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