OurWord

A Kookaburra visited our backyard garden. It sat over our Bitter Gourd bush and monitored my work in the garden. It watched intently and swayed its neck as if approving my hard work. Kookaburras are plenty around our place. They work as alarm clock for us. Early morning they cackle in unison around 4 in the morning. Irritating yes, but useful for those who have early morning work.

The second visitor was a bird with black and white plumage. It had piercing gold-ringed eyes. It was not a Crow or a Magpie. It could have been a Raven. Crows usually come with a hard crust bread to my bird shower. They drop the crust in the bird shower, soften the bread, and gobble it. In the process spoiling the water, rendering it undrinkable for the other birds. I have to replace the water for the Busy Miners to have a drink and shower before sunset.

Speaking of Bitter Gourd or Karela in Hindi, the vegetable was last on the list to eat in my younger days. I would eat only if my mother would warn me of dire consequences. The bitterness in the Gourd cooked or raw was a glimpse of what food would be offered in hell.

Amazingly, I have no idea when the worm turned. I love Bitter Gourds now and grow them in my garden. Every gourd is treated with the utmost respect. Immensely valued and given to friends as gifts.

Word of the day: Purloin is taking something that belongs to someone else.