Bits and Pieces from Childhood

I am tagged by Debosmita to post three childhood memories.  The thing is, my childhood memories are almost exactly like hers, so I will just provide you the link then you can go and read her post

On second thought, I think I’ll play fair and do this post (before she comes rushing in here to tell me that I’m cheating).  So here are some bits and pieces from my childhood.

1.  My fairytale dreams were shattered pretty early

My mother had read fairy tales and fables at bedtime long before I could start to talk comprehensively enough to interrupt her with a thousand questions.  I grew up with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White.  Adults say these stories instill good morals in the little ones, basically imparting the idea that good wins over evil (along with the notion that a girl needs to be white, slender and pretty in order to be loved and taken to the palace and live with immense wealth and be happy.  Oh, and that step parents are evil). Also, these stories made me dream of brave and super handsome princes.  When I grew a little older, I finally saw a picture of a real prince:  Prince Charles.  And my dreams shattered into a million pieces.

2.  I’d sit in one corner and read books all day

Unless I was in the mood to break things and involve my sisters in it.  But most of the time, my childhood was spent reading books.  I saw my mother reading a lot (most probably because there wasn’t Star Plus to keep housewives busy back then) so I find it very normal to spend time with books.  The day I attended my very first class, I was able to read and write very well.  When I finished reading my first grade books in just a week, my mother shoved Readers’ Digest in my hands (and listened as I read the words aloud, albeit with difficulty.  Parental guidance was necessary).

3.   If I’m not in my room, then find me on a tree

When I wasn’t breaking things or reading quietly in my room, I was up hanging around on a tree branch.  Growing up, we were always surrounded by trees – mostly guava and mango.  My sisters and I – after making sure the adults are busy elsewhere – would climb up a tree and pretend that it was our home.  Being the eldest, it was my call to decide who gets which branch.  I would take the one with the most fruits (ripe ones, of course) and announce that this was my room.  I would explain to them nicely that they couldn’t have this particular branch  because it was way to high, unsafe, etc.  I remember sharing the fruits, so I’m not totally evil.

What was your childhood like?

Debosmita blogs at Life’s Many Whispers.  She aspired to be in the Air force, then medicine, but ended up being a lawyer.  And a good one at that! She has been rewarded a gold medal for standing first in order of merit in Property Law.  She writes very well.  And looks stunning in a sari.

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