Our scenic beautiful Brindavan society!
The society complex where I live is called Brindavan society. A very old society, nests around 100 buildings. The best part is there are ample trees, which provide a lot of greenery, shade and is a haven for both, the young and the old. Brindavan society, rightly named is like a ‘van’ – a forest!
Beautiful big trees with big branches extending far, the Gulmohar trees layered on the top with beautiful red flowers, birds perched on the branches, crows, their nests, the cute little sparrows, mynahs and birds with either colourful feathers, a long tail or a red beak, everyday, we seemed to find a new entry perched comfortably on these majestic trees.
Imagine opening your eyes, waking up at the crack of dawn to the sweet music of the birds. The coos and the caws are music to the ears, waking up to such an orchestra- the ‘dawn chorus of birds’ is a blessing. Right outside my room window is such a beautiful open space, an open garden, bordered with a variety of trees planted by wonderful souls many years ago.
Surprise visitor in our society!
It was a Monday morning, in the month of May. Children were playing without a care in the play area outside my home. Holiday season for my kids too, so I too was having a relaxed time at home.
Suddenly there were a lot of noises coming from the direction of the ground outside our house. The crows were cawing frantically and in unison. Children were screaming ‘Bandar bandar’ (Monkey Monkey)and then I spotted the mischievous monkey jumping from one branch to another. I too immediately jumped in joy and sounded off everyone at home to see this cute visitor. My kids were equally excited and immediately grabbed their phones and camera and got busy taking pictures of the monkey. Soon this monkey came right outside my kitchen, sat there posing for us, happily munching on a juicy mango( little did I know this mango was from my kitchen) Kids were happy to capture wonderful candid pictures and were admiring their photographic skills. The monkey was there only for a few minutes more before it jumped off to another floor. There was so much excitement for a few minutes and then everyone went back to their schedule.
The Invasion by the Now not so cute visitor!!
A few minutes after the sole monkey had left, we went about our work in the house. Suddenly we were face to face with a monkey right inside our house. It was calmly standing in the middle of the drawing room while we were completely taken aback, for the sole difference was, there was not one but their whole family, five of them! My daughter and I screamed our lungs out, rushed and locked ourselves into the bathroom. Father and son, the only brave people in the house gave the poor monkeys some fruits. After having its fill, the visitors slowly found their way back and jumped out to shock or please other human beings!
After a lot of convincing and confirmations that the unannounced, now, not so cute visitors have indeed left, did my daughter and I come out of our hideout!
Repercussions and takeaways from The Visit!
Taking pics of the animal from far is one thing and coming face to face with it inside the house is something completely different. From calling it a cute visitor to naming them intruders, our attitude has changed. We have no hatred towards these mute animals, it’s just out of fear, we behave like this! Poor things, they were harmless, they were just hungry and in search of food.
I know that, actually, We, human beings have intruded into their homes and not the other way round.
The concrete jungle having replaced the real forests, the poor animals have no other go but to go around in the cities, invade the residential societies, especially the ones which are illegally built dangerously close to the forest areas, the areas which actually belongs to these animals and not us humans who are being inhumane by invading into their property!
The visitors are now a regular to our society. A few ‘darpoks’ (cowards) like me and my daughter fear them even now! When they are spotted, we close the doors and windows lest they enter our homes but we are not unkind. We do give these cute monkeys baskets of fruits through courageous people! The monkeys have to their hearts fill, rest for some time in the gigantic trees and then go away silently, unharming a single soul!
