As the caption goes, today I want to write a short and amusing post yet which in its lightness conveys something deeper and thought provoking.
I am recounting, in very brief, a column I had read in a popular Bengali women’s magazine named Sananda. The anecdotal article is by a very famous and much acclaimed Bengali writer Shri Sunil Gangopadhyay.
The story goes like this :
“My friend and his wife were very excited about their latest acquisition – a house in the suburbs. “In the lap of Nature”, as my friend had described it. They had invited me quite a number of times but due to various preoccupations I was unable to visit them. However, last weekend I drove down to take a tour of their luxurious home.
It was a sprawling property. A well ventilated house with all the modern amenities. Every room had an open balcony overlooking lush green grounds with big trees. It was a short drive from the couple’s workplace as well. Just as they had wanted.
Surprisingly, I found the house owners unenthusiastic and exhausted this time. They looked worried and had dark circles under their eyes.
Post lunch, upon enquiry, the cause of their unhappiness came to light. The grounds on which the house stood was infested by a band of monkeys. They were not harmful but made it a point to visit their balcony every day – sit on the railings and inspect the interiors.
The imps were specifically taken up with the living room where the TV was. Apparently they had taken a liking, nay got addicted, to the moving, talking colourful pictures and insisted that the Idiot Box be on 24×7 for their entertainment. If it was, by any chance, switched off they created such a ruckus that it was impossible for my friend and his wife to stay put. Helpless they had to pay heed to the simians’ onerous demands whatever the circumstances be. I now understood why the TV was on non-stop, that too at a high volume, even when we were not in the room.
Unhappy and at their wit’s end my friend was now thinking of relocating back to the city which he had left because of the crowd, congestion, pollution, etc. etc.“
***
Guys! Let me know in the comment what you gather from this humorous but at the same time sad anecdote.
PS: It seems I am writing quite a lot about rodents, squirrels, pigeons and monkeys of late . Will do better next time.
Those monkeys must have found themselves a good shelter in this house and found their entertainment by watching television and causing chaos. It’s sad to see such a ventilated house being overtaken by a band of monkeys.
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What we desire, Aptivi , does not always turn out to be meant for us. I see this anecdote from that perspective.
Thanks for your visit and comment.
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You’re right about that 👍 What we want isn’t always meant for us.
My pleasure! ☺️
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Even the shortest stories can carry deep emotions, meaningful messages, and powerful moments of imagination. Looking forward to experiencing the creativity and insight captured in these few words. ✨📖
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Yes, you are so right Safiaji. Shirt stories in its compressed gamut carry a world of meaning , emotions and layers of deep thoughts.
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We must control our environment to the best of our ability – closing the curtains might be enough
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I guess they had already given ample exposure to the apes and now they couldn’t do anything better. Thank you so much Derrrick 🙏
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Maybe the suburb is actually a habitat of wild animals and humans have trespassed,then who is the real culprit Geeta Di.
If we look for a solution then there was a story Capseller and Monkeys,that story will provide a solution if monkeys still are foolish to copy humans(which I think they aren’t).
Anyways,every story you shared has a Moral and this one too makes us to ponder.
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Nusrat, I am very glad you shared your unique perspective which makes me think who is the trespasser – humand or the apes ?
I would say we dream many dreams, we have many aspirations in life but whether those dreams and aspirations are meant for us only time and experience can tell.
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I guess nowhere is perfect.
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That is true. Everywhere some glitch is there. Thank you Little.
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Is there such a thing as a monkey repellent? Or perhaps thicker curtains?
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No, not that I know of…but the problem is now no repellent will work on them as they have got a taste of entertainment.
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I remember my paternal grandmother telling me that they lived in a small town/ village near Delhi called Gurgaoon. The monkeys there were very clever and almost took my father who was a baby then, away! She told me they had to be very vigilant.
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Gurgaon is now the most happening MNC city where property value is sky high. Now it is called Gurugram. Just a trivia. The monkeys ??? Well, I don’t know if they are still there.
Central Delhi is infested with monkeys. Due to deforestation sometimes we used to get one or two monkey visitors in our locality. The last that came quite a few years back sat at the dining table and partook of some food courtesy of B-I-L’s hospitality.
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My father was a baby in 1930, almost 100 years ago. How times have changed
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Such a lighthearted story with a surprisingly deep message. 🤍Loved reading this! 🦋✨
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Thank you Rajeshwari. God bless
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I enjoyed the story and found it both amusing and sad. Amusing because I could truly see monkeys becoming addicted to television. Sad because it’s a metaphor for how our children become addicted to their phone and pad screens.
Personally, I would stay in the house, but purchase an additional television that I could put somewhere outside the house and give the monkeys the remote control. 🙂
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😊
Nice solution! The metaphor for children is really another angle to the story. I appreciate.
A TV for the monkeys …? 😅
I guess they will be able to better manage the remote than humans.
I am still smiling 😊 😊
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Good grief and fancy that! Those naughty monkeys…
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Chris, they can be real trouble makers.
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Indeed like baboons in Cape Town places. Actually a real menace.
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There are certain places in our country, especially, temples which are infested with monkeys. They are like goons and snatch away anything one carries in hand, like, dark glasses. Then they will wear them and pose. Just imagine.
We have a lane where it is customary to buy bananas and feed the monkeys . But they are a quiet bunch there and once they have had their fill they sit quietly.
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At least they were not raiding their panty and fridge 😀
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*pantry!!! (What an embarrassing typo)
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😂😂😂😂
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Happens…no offence taken
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