Jumpola jumped down a few branches and settled on one of the branches closest to the ground, and began eavesdropping.
“I wanted to go to Shimla and see the snowfalls and beautiful mountains!” the little girl pouted.
“I wanted to see Kerala – I love the blue sea and the boat-rides there!” the young boy added.
“I wish I, as your older brother, could take you to those places – and it has been my dream to go to the tiger sanctuary in Bengal!” the oldest boy said, throwing a particularly large pebble with great force into the serene lake disturbing the calm waters with ripples.
“And here we are at our Gran’s place in Vyareveyer,” the little girl said, screwing up her face.
“Yesh …Vyareveyer – Y-ARE-V-HERE?!” the young boy spoke aloud.
“Apparently it seems that Gran wants us to do some service at the Guru Poornima festival in the village,” the older boy said. “Whatever that may be.”
“I’d rather be at home playing FIFA on my Xbox,” the young boy said.
“Hello!” a voice called.
There was a sudden pause. The children froze.
“Who’s that?” the little girl whispered.
“I don’t know,” the older brother said, looking around carefully.
“My name is Jumpola. I’m a monkey,” the voice called again.
“Who’s playing this prank? Is it you, Chetan?” the older brother asked his younger brother sternly.
“No Raju bhaiyya,” Chetan replied, totally alarmed. “I didn’t do it!! It could be Shweta!”
