Many Kites

Many Kites

In my childhood days, back in the 90s, I just played cricket. I was and still am a cricket buff, both at playing and watching. Unlike other kids, I did not know how to ride a bicycle. I did not like colours (polluted ones), I was afraid, I hated Holi every year. I didn’t find crackers attractive. It created noise and air pollution.

I did not know how to fly kites either. Ya, I was different. But one thing that I did know was to pick (loot) the kites. Even from inside the room, I could hear the noise, and run upstairs faster than the Cheetah, and how I would climb other terraces to pick up a kite. I was an expert thief. Better than Hrithik Roshan in Dhoom 2 (in case of kite catching).

Every day, I would loot around 4-5 times daily. And then, how did I utilise those kites?

Well, not as you would expect. I did not give it to anyone. I would store them and keep them in my secret place in my room. Years went by, and I could have become a kite mafia. Ha ha ha

I had hundreds and thousands of them. Each of different type, shape and colour. Some having phone numbers on them, some having love messages, some with a strong knot on them.

I was the King of Patangs. Everyday I would visit my secret place and be in awe of my brilliance. I attacked the kite like a tiger attacks its prey. I had won many medals in racing at school and CBSE levels. What a great utilisation of my talent, I thought. Everyday I would savour my niche forte.

People around me kept asking me, ‘what you would do, you don’t even know how to fly them.’ Then one day, someone gave me my first official bid. I was over the moon. Tinu, a small child from the neighbourhood, kept a keen eye on me and knew I had some gems and secrets.

One day he came to me and said, “Buddy, I know you are a champion. Today, I accept it and give you an offer. You always beat me and win the kites.

I want to buy your kites. 200 @ 25 RS

He gave me this New RS 50 kadak note.

I was lured at once and then realised, these pre-knotted gems, no work to do. These are not raw materials you purchased from market and then assemble.

These are pure masterpieces.

I refused the offer and told him, these kites are priceless and immortal, I am not going to give them away, I will use them one day.

He laughed and went away.

The day arrived:

After passing out of my school, I entered  a new professional field — Chartered Accountancy (one of the most difficult courses on earth to pass). I let go of many things to achieve higher targets in life.

That day, I realised what a fool I had been. My secret treasure had rotten, and only 50% of it was intact. That too was of no use to me.

But I did make my statement a truth, I did make those kites priceless.

I gave them all to Tinu, who still loves flying kites.

That day I learnt to fly not just kites but myself.