B+: Covid-19 hat-trick with green bean soup & Milo

 

No, its not about being positive with Covid 19 or about Joe Biden's memed response wish to Donald Trump's catching the virus! Its been a personal hat-trick of being positive with whats the only antidote we humans have to help those succumbing to the virus.

Whilst being a part of curbing its spread by distancing ourselves socially, wearing masks & sanitizing our hands often (even at the expense of the skin turning rough at times) is a hygiene requirement in these times, another way in which we, the ones not exposed to the virus and healthy enough to meet the basic requirements, can contribute, is by donating the steady stream of red energy that runs through our veins.

Whilst enough has been said about the positives of how blood donation helps those in need, the requirement has been even more pronounced in these times when anything to do with a hospital is abhorred by normal mortals, lest they catch the virus whilst trying to help.

In the past 3 donations in consecutive succession of the next possible date, I've noticed the donors swell slowly back as Singapore has seen the virus numbers come under control.

Going beyond the moralistic need to donate, its the ritual of the follow up with a nutritious green bean soup bowl & a piping hot Milo cup (made even sweeter by the success of having donated), that makes my day every time the syringe has pierced through my hairy arm (the attending nurse once tried cleaning it with three alcohol swabs to figure out the hair on the outside versus the vein on the inside)

Whether it be the Parle-G glucose biscuits and tea back home in India or the green bean soup & Milo in Singapore, the taste of the mundane has always been elevated in the waiting room of a donation center, as though by a magical touch of the selflessness that these places evoke in us.

A letter from the red cross society recently has been like icing on the cake, acknowledging the positive impact my B+ donation has been making.

As we continue to curb & quarantine the virus rather than ourselves be quarantined because of it, this is one contribution we all can make, though I hope by my next consecutive donation date on Jan 2nd 2021, am not required to or able to donate if the virus decides 2020 has been its bonus year already or else travel opens to be able to visit home (an India visit entails a 4 month gap to be able to donate in Singapore due to some random malaria-linked connect with India).

Nonetheless, this is our chance to keep at it and contribute, whether it be for the selfless motivation or the immediate gratification of the green bean soup & Milo!

Stay + 

 

Sporty Giffy ~ K-Tales (Jun)

Giffy, truly was one of his kind - born to 2 very tall parents,

The 3 would never fit in a single frame, but he was always a sport!

Always the outstanding one in his class,

Giffy would stick his neck out in any situation, that's why he was truly a sport!

Gifted naturally with a super height, he could bring a different point of view to most things,

That's what made him such a creative and artistic sport!

However, always eager to participate in sports to compete and win,

He would never come first only because of his height, but he still never lost heart by being a sport!

In speed racing, his long neck made him the farthest to start,

He ran faster than most and got off to a good start only to lose in the end because his feet were still far apart, but he never gave up being a sport!

Since speed racing did not give him a chance to win, he tried swimming across the pool,

He would take big strokes, but the problem was the same because by the time his full body arrived at the finish line, someone else had already crossed it, but Giffy still wanted to be the best in the sport!

In archery, he would bend his neck backwards to try and aim well,

He tried his best to shoot straight by bending maximum only to miss the target because he was unable to balance his neck so far out, but he still tried every shot like a sport!

In parachuting, he would try to poke his head out and balance the ropes,

He would look out for a good landing only to land with a 'thud' in a rough patch because his long neck and head generally got covered with the large chute, but he still never let a bad landing spoil his fun of the sport!

In billiards, he would aim well looking at the balls to be hit in a straight line with the cue stick,

He would chalk his cue stick well, only to realize he hit his own chin hard because his head would end up between the balls to be hit, but in spite of the hits, he still never let himself become a spoiled sport!

On the high-jump trampoline, Giffy would bounce easily, going up & down in the air,

He would bounce the highest, but only to bounce so high at times that his head would hit the ceiling with a 'thud', yet he would never let the bump on his head stop him from jumping into the sport!

Finally, one day Giffy found what he had always wanted - a sport in which he could compete & win...

Never put down by his unusual height or what others had to say, he had been able to accept uneasy situations & second positions in the other sports without complain or worry, that's what had made him truly a SUPER SPORT!

His height, that had been a big problem in the other sports, had now become his biggest strength in the sport of basketball,

His long neck & arms helped him reach the basket so easily, that with a little chase and a push of the ball, he would score so many points... soon SPORTY GIFFY became a true HERO of the sport!

Pictures Credit: Hilarious Giraffe illustrations by Japanese artist Keigo.

Time to Go Out, Bear ~ K-Tales (May)

(A story about deep love for Nature)

Time to go out, Bear, let our spirits fly high for our world just became free...

The humans are in lock-down, fearing they'll catch the virus, that's smaller than a bee!

It's been quite a while, Bear, but finally we've got our time under the sun...

As Nature begins Her come back, through the day, we'll have a lot of fun!

The golden liquid in the bee-hives will be fully for our taking in the morning, for the bee-keepers won't walk out of their home...

The honey will pour out only for us while Nature's higher intelligence, guides humans on how among Her creations, they ought to roam!

With no worries of being hunted down, we'll picnic in the open greens...

With our breakfast mat spread out, we'll eat sandwiches filled with wild mushrooms & fresh beans!

For lunch, with no fishermen around, finally we'll be able to get our fill of the fruit of the sea...

Sun-bathing on the banks and sailing boats in the waters, we'll spend our time well-fed and smiling with glee!

 The sky has become clear, Bear! Your dream of flying with your feathered friends in the evening could come true...

Coz the machine birds in the air otherwise are standing still, nowhere to be seen - the roof above now a mix of white & blue!

Once the moon comes out, Bear, we could catch some bright fire flies...

Now that the night's could be long & enjoyable, as the danger of humans being around on night safaris, dies!

The air has become clean, Bear! At night, spotting shooting stars and watching constellations, we can do too...

With less smoke from the dark chimneys, stars hundreds of miles away are now in clearer view!

Some among the humans get it, Bear, but most don't - may be it's Nature's way to bring a balance, but the virus too has it's own life...

The medical heroes, their doctors know it best Bear! Killing it should not be the aim, but making one self stronger ought to be their strife!

We're all connected Bear! The life in each of us comes from the same Mother Nature...

This won't last forever Bear, coz humans too are part of Nature and Mother will be kind, but hope they learn from it for a healthy future!

(Pics Credit: Disney's "Winnie the Pooh" series)

This story is also inspired by a kids story on 'Social Distancing' - "Time to Come In, Bear"

Kids Hanuman Chalisa ~ K-tales (Apr)

Having cleansed my mind with the dust of the Guru's feet,

I speak of the glory of the Raghu family's Sri Ram, who gives the 4 fruits sweet

Inadequate in my intelligence, I pray to the son of the wind,

Give me strength, intelligence, knowledge and take away my faults that bind

Victory to you, O Hanuman, the ocean of virtue and wisdom,

The one who enlightens the 3 worlds and is the lord of the monkey kingdom

O messenger of Sri Ram, to endless strength you can have claims,
Born to Anjana, O son of Vayu, 'PavanSuta' is another of your names

O great hero with a body as strong as a bolt of thundering,
You are the companion of wisdom and remover of evil thoughts that sting

Your golden colour makes you look great in the fine clothes you wear,
Along with the shiny ear-rings and your beautiful, curly hair

In your hands, you hold a flag and mace,
Across your shoulder, the sacred threads are in place

O son of Kesari, you are Siva in another form,
With your glow and strength, you've taken the world by storm

You are learned, full of virtues and very intelligent,
Always ready to do the work of Sri Ram, upfront

Listening to the glories of God makes you happy,
In your heart stay Ram, Lakshman & Sita - all three

In a subtle form, you revealed yourself to Sita,
and in a terrific form, you burnt down the city of Lanka

You destroyed all demons by taking the form of a giant
Achieving the goals of Sri Ram with every stunt

You brought the Sanjivani herb and Lakshman was revived,
Seeing which, into your embrace, Sri Ram immediately dived

Sri Ram praised you greatly,

And declared you to be as beloved to him as his brother Bharata dearly

Your glory, even Adisesha, the thousand-headed snake sings,
Saying so, Sri Ram takes you into his embrace & clings

The sages Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana & Sanat Kumara, Brahma & other Gods including Siva,
Narada, Sarasvati & Adisesha...

Yama, the Lord of Death, Kubera, the God of wealth, Digpalas, the guardian deities,
Poets & scholars, none have been able to express in full splendour, your glorious activities

To Sugriva, an invaluable service you'd shown,
By introducing him to Sri Ram and restoring him to the throne

Vibhisana took your advice and became Lanka's king,
The whole world knows how, in his favour, you made it swing

Thinking it to be a sweet fruit, you gulped down the Sun
from a distance of 16,000 miles! Now, that sounds like fun

You carried Sri Ram's ring in your mouth, no wonder!
Crossing over the ocean like a flash of thunder

All difficult things in the world, you help us face,
They are made so easy, thanks to your grace

Of Sri Ram's kingdom, you are the gate-keeper,
Without your permission, no one can enter

Those whom you protect, enjoy every bit
With you as our protector, unafraid, we can easily sit

The control of your power, you alone can take,
In front of such force, all the 3 worlds shake

There appears no bad monster,
Around those who remember your name 'Mahavir', the great warrior

All diseases & viruses are destroyed and pains go away,
When your powerful name in repeat, is all we say

Hanuman frees those from all trouble,
Who remember him in every action, word & thought bubble

You completed all the work of Sri Ram,
Who fulfills wishes of all who continuously remember 'Ram Nam'

Those who worship you may have many wishes they await,
But, in the end, they will all get the ageless fruit to liberate

Across all 4 ages, your name will lead,
Across the world, your greatness is spread

Of all Swamiji's, you are the protector,
O favourite of Ram, of all monsters, you are the destroyer

Of 8 magical powers & 9 types of wealth, you are the giver
- Of this blessing to you, Mother Sita was the giver

The essence of Sri Ram's love - with you it stays,
You always are the loving servant of His ways



To reach Sri Ram, your love is the way,
And all the sadness of many lives is taken away

At the end of a life of such love - no stress,
One shall reach Sri Ram's address

All wishes of those who pray to Hanuman among us,
Are granted if the prayers are with full focus

All our pains & problems go away,
Thanks to most powerful Hanuman, if we pray

Victory to you, O Hanuman, you are our Guru,
May we always receive help & love from you

He who says this prayer 100 times,
Will surely be free from chains of the world and will enjoy happy times

Those who read these 40 verses cheering Hanuman are blessed,
I say in the name of Shiva, they will become the best

Tulsidas, who wrote this prayer, is in God's service, always
And wants God to stay in his heart, he prays

May Hanuman, the master of wind, who looks so good and takes troubles away because he's very smart,
Along with Sri Ram, Lakshman & Sita, always stay in my heart

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, devoted to our beloved Sidhbari, H.P. Hanumanji
Pictures Credit: Shri Hanuman Chalisa by Charuvi Design Labs