" THE PAHARI MYNA "

On Sun, 25/4/10, Bobbie <bobbigmail.com> wrote:

From: Bobbie <bobbi@gmail.com>
Subject:
To: <ravimaini@hotmail.com>
Date: Sunday, 25 April, 2010, 3:02 PM

Dear Ravi,
Hi!
I was once transferred to an Interior tea garden which was 65 Kilometers from any settlement or dwelling. Amidst thick forests. I was a bachelor those days and was billet for people like me, who could live in solitude. No TV No Radio.
I used to come back and as in my previous Bungalows, I would shout - Koi Hai...? And the bearer would come out saying, Salaam Hajoor - Hijri ( Tea and snacks) Taiyaar hai.

Then followed by dinner and off to bed and wake up every morning only to start the days work as a routine. I continued like this for two months, and I started missing my conversations, late night parties, and good company,

One day I spoke to the guy, my predecessor, Mr.Mickey Chimni asked how he lived here with no communication and no one to talk to, except for the company of servants. He smiled and said, "should have told you about the Pahari Myna,I had kept and let it go free later when I came... And that I should keep one...too".

I told my Tribal Chief to get me one, four days later, I saw a Myna in a cage made out of cane hanging in my driveway.
I called it Mishti - Means Sweet in Bengali.
It would make funny sounds. Till one day, At around 2 in the morning, I woke up and heard my jeep starting, I looked at the keys on the writing table, they were there, I rushed out with my revolver hoping it was not the Bandits. I was petrified to see the jeep there with no one inside and again the ignition going Vrrrrrrrrrooom, I yelled for the Night-Watchmen, who came running and they looked at me in surprise. We stood there for a while, there was no sound, I thought I would go to the ENT specialist and get ears checked.

Two days later, I hear the same thing while having dinner, I again called every one this time my cook, bearer, paniwala and the chowkidars too and we all heard the sound... As I approached the jeep in the porch, I looked up, it was the Myna making this true to life sound. I was amused and shocked at the perfection, the timing... the loudness and the depth. The exact true copy of a jeep ignition start. Oh great God ! What all he has in store for us. Every day is a new day a new experience for us all.

I understood now why, Mr. Mickey had asked me to keep a Myna, and I started working on it, in two months time, it called my name, repeated what I said and a sweet "Salaam Sahib" taught by the bungalow servants,

In six-seven months I was transferred from this out division, but I left the Myna behind, inspit of my love and affection for it. This garden now has a Myna that can talk as a company policy.

I ensured it was standing instructions. The guys after me used specially visit me and tell me about the great way I found good company, and I said tell this to Mr.Mickey, my good friend when they go back to the US.

So Guys Don't let KVJ Group give that eerie, quiet and haunted look, or else we will need a Myna to fill the sound of silence.
Just an anecdote to keep things going.
Vrrrroooooom.

Bobbie