How a little boy rode a Bullock cart in the county side of a south india .
Bullock Cart
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When I was in eighth grade, in Sankranthi festival holidays, I want to go to my aunt's village . Every year I go and spend some time there with my cousins. That village is ten miles east of my town. In those days , there was only one bus in the morning at 11 o clock. Bus name was Salamat Transport , it goes to Madanapalli at 8 am and will be back to our aunt's village at 2 pm en route my town Mahal at 11 am , a six-hour journey from destination as it would stop in every village across the route and couldn't pick up speed because of bad roads . Roads were in very bad shape with all bumps , slopes and granite .The bus some times over crowded with villagers and suddenly because of engine failure or puncturing of tires which would delay the bus for long hours . The model was the bus also very old as engine has to be run by way of turning a lever by hand to start the engine. Some times engine gets heated up and water has to be filled in the radiator to cool down the heated engine.Though it was horrible , we could enjoy the motor bus travel as it gives us lot of pleasure .Other wise , we have to engage a bullock cart to reach my aunt's village which takes almost a full day to reach the village.
It was my bad fate, the bus couldn't reach my town at 11 am . It was 3 pm , bus didn't come, my father was very furious and angry as we waited for the bus for more than 5 hours.
"For how long we have to wait ? This dirty bus is not coming . Let us come tomorrow , post pone your travel ' My father was impatient and turned back to my house.
But I was reluctant to go back to my house. I have planned every thing to enjoy my vacation in my aunt's house . Already three days are over , only 7 days are left and again schools will reopen for fourth term. I want to play with my cousins and spend some happy times with them. Since they are
landlords, they have plenty of agriculture lands and gardens. I want to enjoy swimming, loitering in the fields, eating fresh organic food. Also I can play with the cattle in their house.
My father was impatient and unrest .
'This dirty bus won't turn up in a right time. We must go back to our home .I already noticed morning the bad omen , when we started from our house. Our neighbor's cat came across the street, and I was doubtful of this travel'
My father told me to turn back to home. My father believes in superstitions , as per the old age customs.
I was very much disappointed and reluctant to go home , but of no avail.
My father was furious and I shivered with fear after seeing face .
I followed him silently . He told me that he will drop me at Piler Bus stand tomorrow morning as there are plenty of buses .
I was happy.
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Next day, we reached Piler early in the morning and my father requested a gentleman to safely drop me at my aunt's house as he was going to the same village. My father brought me some food stuff to eat in the bus and bade good bye asking me to take care of myself till I reach destination.
I reached my aunt's house at 11 am in the morning . Everyone in the house was waiting my arrival and my cousins hugged me out of joy. My aunt was kind enough to prepare lot of food stuff for lunch , especially curries made up with cereals, food with millets , sweets with fresh ghee and curds . Completely organic food served and we enjoyed delicious lunch typically of a south indian meals.
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In the evening , my aunt told me that she would go to nearby village to buy new clothes for all members in the family for ensuing festival sankranti. She asked me which colour do you prefer for shirt and half pant. I told her blue colour shirt and dark grey colour for half pant . I didn't try wearing full pants so far , as my father couldn't afford to buy clothe for me.
she instructed her workman , who was employed by her to get ready and arrange a bullock cart for the nearest town as there was no bus facility from that village .
With little doubt, I asked my aunt that I will accompany her to the next village as I was very much anxious to ride bullock cart .
' Aunt , Pl allow me, I would like to come in the Bullock Cart.'
Some how, she agreed to take me with her .
I was very happy first time I was going in a bullock cart .
I was sitting behind driver's seat , where the workman was riding the cart with the stick in his left hand and two leashes in his right hand controlling the bullocks. The leashes are tied through the nose of the bullocks and while stretching them, to the right or left , the animals take the path as they carry heavy load of a wooden cart and the people sitting in the cart.
I asked the workman to give the leashes to me for riding the vehicle. My aunt objected as I am too young to ride a vehicle and the oxen will not listen for a new rider. Some how, I convinced my aunt and took the control of bullocks and cart.
The cart was going smoothly and I felt proud as I was able to ride a vehicle.
I stretched two leashes tied around the nose of Bullocks , but out of fear , the animals missed the track , and one of the wheels of the cart mounted on a big stone . Suddenly , with a big sound the entire cart fell down to the left side , there was a big hue and cry by the bullocks and my aunt. We all fell down on the field , with bruises all over body. Blood was boozing from one animal , by seeing that I was shocked and lost senses . I cried a lot and my body and legs shivered after that incident .
My aunt some how came to the senses and set right the vehicle and bullocks and asked the workman to turn back to the home.
She reprimanded and yelled for my over ambition for riding a cart with out experience .
The very next day, she asked workman to take me in the bus and drop me at my native village .
I couldn't understand why my aunt suddenly suspended me from enjoying my vacation in their house .
I don't know what a bullock cart is, but I think your aunt was upset because you did not listen to her not to hold the leash without experience. She may have to pay for tge damages you have caused to the cart owner.
Just a note: postpone is one word and not two words; and so is the word landlord.
By eight grade, you should have been more responsible. But accidents happen. So I think your aunt may have been unkind. According to what you wrote, she implored you not to try to drive the bullocks. Your father and her had invested a lot in your stay. You infuriated her for not listening to her.
I was nine years old when I first drove my father's car on my grandfather's farm. I did not damage the car in any way, even though I drove it alone out in the field without him in the car with me. My grandfather was very upset with me driving. Later my father, long driving alone, totally wrecked the car.
But I do recall driving an old tractor when I was about 11 on the same farm. The tractor, like the train you described, was very old and needed oil. It smoked a lot and a rod knocked… Loudly… Until the rod broke through the engine wall and the tractor was dead. I wasn't blamed for the tractor failure, but my uncle was because I told him that the tractor was making noise and acting up.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
