I AM COZ YOU ARE

Yes, there’s no denying that village life has its own unique beauty. The greenery, the fresh water, the crisp air—these are treasures you can truly experience only in the suburbs and villages. I’m not sure if all the villages across India share the same charm, but the villages in Kerala certainly stand apart. They have a magic of their own. Recently, I came across a picture of a playground nestled among thick trees. The caption read: “It’s not the Amazon Rainforest. And it’s no ordinary cricket ground either. This is Palapilly Ground, Thrissur, in Kerala.” Honestly, an aerial view of almost any village in Kerala would show you something just as stunning, if not better. And when it rains—oh, that’s when Kerala truly comes alive. The greenery deepens, the air smells richer, and the freshness seems to seep into the very soul of the land. But when I say Kerala comes alive, I don’t just mean the plants, rivers, and skies. I also mean the buzzing, creeping, hopping creatures that eme...

No rain. I was lying malnourished and sick. Finally, it started raining, and soon there was water everywhere. They say I am a pluviophile because I love rain so much. When rain first mixes with dry soil, the smell it gives off—no perfume can beat that. I would splash myself in the roadside rainwater, my excitement never fading. I would play in the rainwater, follow its flow wherever it led me, and stop only when I couldn’t move any further. One day, while hopping in the rainwater, I slipped into a well. I cried loudly, but no one heard or saw me. It was dark inside. I feared there might be deadly creatures in the water, but before I could look around, I heard a chug-chug-chug sound and was suddenly sucked through a narrow pipe into a water tank. Soon, whoosh! I was pushed through another pipe and landed in a water can. Someone shouted, “Babu, fill the mineral water can!” A man quickly picked me up and poured me into the can. From there, I could see a small, busy bus stand. P...