Nitali and Nihir are getting ready for school. They are feeling ebullient since it is the last day of school and time for their summer vacation. They have plans for their vacation: eat, play, read, color and travel.
They spot Khiskoli playing in the vrksa. Khiskoli has a plan too. It is Khiskoli’s first summer by herself. She feels free to do whatever she pleases. Se is going to bask in the sun and chase the birds and bees. The family had celebrated her first birthday just before moving away.
Before leaving her mom had told her ” My dear beta, it great to have fun all the time but remember we have to work as well and collect nuts in summer to save it for winter when it is not so easy to find food.”
Khiskoli said to herself, “Maybe tomorrow I will find nuts and keep them away.”
Khiskoli had made friends with Kidi, the ant. Khiskoli noticed Kidi scurrying fast with food in her mouth from ahiya aka here to tyaa aka there.
Khiskoli asked Kidi “Why do you always scurry so? Why don’t we sit and relax and have some fun together? We can always collect food tomorrow.”
Kidi explains ” It is in my nature to be constantly gathering food for the colony for a rainy day. Why don’t you collect nuts for winter?.”
Khiskoli explains ” I will collect but will do so tomorrow.” He then sets out to meet other backyard creatures.
She comes across Chucklee aka sparrow who is busing finding grub for her little ones. She asks her ” Are you collection good for winter?” Chucklee replies “no, I am collecting food to feed my babies. We do not store food for winter.”
Khiskoli wonders about what Chucklee said. “Where will Chucklee find food in winter, if she does not store any?” and then came the thought “Where will I find food if I do not store in winter?. There is no family around and I will need to help myself or ask my friends to help.”
With these thoughts she decided maybe she will spend some time storing nuts and spend some other time enjoying the lovely summer in her backyard.
And so after a few days of watching Khiskoli bask in the sun, Nihir and Nitali saw that she spent some time collecting nuts and other times being playful and enjoying the sun.
Life, a daily exploration 