Soft moon light was just entering into Surya’s room when he asked his mother ” Amma, tell me about Chinna Lalah.. please.”
His mother was just tucking him up for the night. She smiled as she heard him.
“Why, Surya I thought you had forgotten about Lalah!” she said.
“Amma,” Surya said “how can I forget his story? Every day I see him through this window, well ,except on his holiday!”
Surya pointed at the bright yellow ball that was the Moon . It was clearly visible through his bed room window.
The window was huge, and it faced the East. Surya loved the view from his room, which was in the first floor of their beach house at Besant Nagar, Chennai.
He would spend his time watching the Moon, for as long as possible and fall asleep late in the night.
“Amma, please..”Surya said again” tomorrow is a Saturday, isn’t it? Please Amma” Mother had sat down on his bed by then. She too felt relaxed because it was a Friday night. She felt touched by the expression on her six year old son’s face.
Poor Surya! He , like the other kids his age these days led a very hectic life. Studies,coaching classes, competitions, what not?!
“Amma, you have one more admirer of Chinna Lalah story here!”
It was Surya’s father. Both Surya and his mother were delighted ‘cause he had arrived early from work. And it was almost 9’o’clock.
“Appa..!”
Surya got up from his bed and ran toward his father. His mother watched happily as father and son hugged each other hard and finally settled down on the bed.
“Story, story!, now!! !” father and son chanted together until mother stopped laughing.
How they all wished everyday was a Friday night! Mother started their family’s favorite story.
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Everyone knows, the Sun works everyday, no holiday at all, absolutely. No Sundays even though it’s supposed to be Mr.Sun’s day!
“Just like Appa” Surya said. “Surya, sshhh. The story teller might get angry!” father laughed.
The Sun gets up early every day and gets ready by about 6’o’ clock. He loves yellows and oranges, so he dresses up in gold bordered yellow garments.
He wears gold jewels, Oh, What a glorious sight he presents to us each day!
He also wears a shimmering yellow robe thrown casually over his shoulders.
Then he climbs on his golden chariot drawn by seven horses and starts from the east. He travels across the sky, checking whether lazy people have got up from bed.
He sends all the children to school, then… WH…OOO..M! With more energy he darts towards the high ceiling of the sky.
It becomes very hot then! Tirelessly he travels across, reaches the west, sighs a little then goes home to rest for the night. But before he goes to bed he calls up Mr. Moon, just to confirm.
By then Mr. Moon is ready, he too loves dressing up. He loves silver and white, so he wears a silver -zari bordered white garment.
And what a soothing and cool sight Mr.Moon presents! Pearls , silver Jewellery, Jasmine flowers and a gentle fragrance about him ,always! He also brings some cool breeze to help people sleep after a long day.
He rides his deer-drawn silver chariot across the sky. He too starts from the east, peeps out from the edge of our beach actually! Then he continues, stops in places to watch children playing.
Oh. He just loves that very much, better than even his wardrobe!
How he wishes every night he too can join the children! But he has work to do.
That too, a night duty kind of work. That’s why he gets a night off every month.
Poor little Moon!
Well.. in Tamil we call him “Nila” and as a child you used to call him “Lalah”! That’s how he got his strange name. Well, we’ll call him Lalah from now on ! He travels on and on, checks up whether naughty children go to bed without much fuss and goes on towards the west. It’s almost morning by then.
Lalah yawns and it’s…. DAWN!
So, this has been going on and on for no one really knows how long.
One fine November night, after a spell of rain Lalah peeped out from the sea as usual and started his day, well night actually. He climbed up high and reached the topmost point of the sky dome.
You know Lalah is like a child himself and he loves to watch children playing.
That day a kid called Surya was playing with his friends in front of his house. And they were playing near a puddle of water which had collected there. They were splashing water all over and were having a very good time doing that.
Lalah was curious, he stopped, yes, that happens some times. The moon actually stops and watches people, for he is a very playful fellow.
And that was what got him into trouble that day.
Lalah peeped into the puddle of water and the water was still that minute.
Lalah saw another ‘Lalah’ in the water and he was shocked!
” Hey, Who are you?”he demanded.
The other Lalah did the same. This shocked our Lalah even more.
”Hey, how dare you! You are only a Chinna Lalah!”he said.
He felt the “newcomer” was very small, so he called him Chinna Lalah, meaning small Moon. Imagine his outrage when ‘Chinna Lalah’ did the same! This broke him up and he sat down right there and started wailing!
Huge tear drops fell on the city as he cried bitterly. People thought it was raining at first, but the children looked up and understood.
Their beloved Lalah was Miserable! They felt bad too. They tried to console him but he just would’nt stop crying!
Children everywhere joined together , shouted up to him saying they loved him.
“Lalah we all love you! Please don’t cry! If you want something tell us!” they shouted.
Some children even offered their share of chocolates and other goodies to Lalah. Their parents watched the scene with anxiety. After all without Lalah, how will mothers make their young babies eat?
They were all so worried. A few TV reporters gathered there to telecast the Lalah drama live!
Finally Surya thought of an idea. He decided to send his friend the crow to console Lalah. Cappy the crow was all awake, thanks to the din and he flew up to Lalah.
”Hey, Moon man, whats up?’
Lalah looked at him and wailed all the more!
”I have.. comp.. comp..competition!”he sobbed.
”there’s another Mo..Moon!..o..oooh.. Iam finished!”
“Lalah,” Cappy said “You are the one and only one.”
“No! I saw another Moon in there!”
“Where?”
Lalah pointed to the puddle and sobbed some more.
Cappy wanted to laugh when he understood what had caused all this confusion. But he kept a straight face.
He then explained to Lalah about reflections. Lalah took some time but he understood finally.
“Now look at that puddle” Pappy said.
Lalah did . The puddle was so mixed up nothing was visible. Lalah sighed and smiled a little.
There were happy shouts from the ground below. Cappy gave hugs and kisses to Lalah on behalf of the children and himself.
He then said bye and started back.
Lalah has been in a happy mood ever since. He shines all the more because he knows he is loved!
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“But Amma” surya said ”surely Lalah must be passing above so many water bodies. my science ma’m says there are lots of lakes in the world. Does he cry everytime he sees himself in the water?”
Father burst out laughing.”Amma your son is growing up! So think of some new stories!” Mother laughed.
“Yes , this story worked when he was three. But it is not working now!”
Minutes passed. Mother stroked Surya’s back gently. Slowly he seemed to have fallen asleep.
Mother and Father gently kissed Surya and tucked him up with a
blanket.Then they tiptoed out of the room.
Well. surya was not really asleep yet. He opened his eyes and looked up at the Moon.
He felt so lonely suddenly. He wanted to run up to the next room to his parents. He wanted some more stories. But he did’nt want to disturb them. He knew his parents were too tired after a long week.
“I have no brothers or sisters” he thought sadly.”I don’t even have a pet dog!”
“Will you be my friend Lalah?” he looked up at the Moon .
.”Amma says you love children.I know Amma does not tell lies. Will you come and play with me , Lalah?’
Surya’s big black eyes filled with tears. He was very lonely indeed. He did have friends to play with, but sometimes they made fun of him. “Surya, you are fat!”,”Surya, you have big ears!” “Surya, your birthday is on the first of April! How funny!”
And how they all howled with laughter!
“Lalah, please will you be my friend?’Surya asked aloud.
Something very strange happened then.
Surya’s room filled with a soft light. He was suddenly able to see all the things in his room clearly.
Then… he saw someone sitting on his bed. Surya’s eyes widened as he saw the figure in front of him.
He looked almost as big as Surya. He had a perfectly round face which was glowing with a silvery light, from within. Small bright eyes filled with soft light looked at him. Little pink lips below a pert little nose seemed to be smiling.and, best of all, he had large ears sticking out of his ball-like head!
Surya watched with fascination as the stranger said ‘Namaste’ with his little hands. His cartoonish little legs were something out of a Walt Disney movie.
“Hi, won’t you say namaste or hello?’
Surya rubbed his eyes. The light that filled the room did not hurt at all, but it was dazzling.
What was happening? Was it a dream?
“No, it’s not a dream, Surya, I am Chinna Lalah, your friend” the stranger said.
“oh, Mother did not lie after all!” Surya managed to say finally.
“No, Surya, she did’nt. I am Chinna Lalah, believe me.”the glowing figure said.
But, Lalah is still up there..” surya pointed to the silvery disc hanging just above a tree.
“Sure, I am there too” the stranger smiled.
“Surya, I heard you calling out to me. So I came down in my other form to talk to you”
“So, you are really Chinna Lalah?’ Surya asked.
“Yes, I am “.”I am really Chinna Lalah, my dear.” Lalah smiled.
Oh, He looked so beautiful and radiant when he smiled!
“Chinna Lalah, Chinna Lalah, I am so happy you came! I love to look at you through my window. You are more beautiful in this form!” Surya said.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. It was Mother.
“Surya , are you still awake?”
Surya looked at Chinna Lalah “Lalah, you want to meet my mother?”
Chinna Lalah shook his round head. ”No, Surya, please don’t tell anyone about me now, I’ll come later”
He disappeared as suddenly as he came.
Surya’s Mother walked in the next minute. She looked concerned.
”Surya were you talking to someone?”
“No, mother” Surya said rather vehemently. His mother hugged him and smeared some sacred ash on his forehead.
”You will have nice dreams” she smiled .
”Sure, Mother” Surya said ”sure!”.
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The next day, Surya got up earlier, which surprised his parents.
“Surya looks happy this morning!” his father remarked, as he saw his son smiling radiantly.
Mother got Surya’s lunch box ready and saw him off , as he started to school.
That day Surya was very cheerful. Even his teachers noticed that.
His class teacher asked everyone to write a few lines about the Moon.
She was pleasantly surprised when she saw Surya actually write a few lines!
Why, of all her children, this one had a lot of trouble with writing! He used to hold the pencil awkwardly, that is, when he felt like writing at all.
Normally when the other children wrote their classwork, Surya would just sit holding his pencil. But his class teacher Mrs.Sita was very kind and patient. She was in touch with Surya’s parents and knew he was an only and lonely child.
She knew he’ll catch up with the other kids , given some time.
But what was happening today was a miracle!
Surya was usually sad looking, but today he looked as though he had swallowed some moonlight!
Little did Mrs. Sita know that she was not far off the mark.
That afternoon she was telling the children about the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.
As usual she kept her eye on Surya as she talked.
He would fall asleep if he was not talked to! But to her surprise Surya was all ears, his eyes shone with delight.
“Well, Surya,what do you know about the moon?” she asked.
Surya didn’t miss a beat. “ He is very nice looking and very friendly too! He talked to me last night!”
The children laughed. Mrs. Sita looked at him thoughtfully.
There certainly was a lot of change in her usually sad looking child.
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It was evening and the children of lotus colony were busy playing cricket.
Madhi was bowling. Surya was batting and he looked at their star spin bowler with some alarm.
If he didn’t make a good number of runs his captain “big” Ramesh had threatened to kick him senseless.
Ramesh was big and all the boys in lotus colony were terrified of him. But Madhi was scary too. Surya held on to his courage as the bowler stood in front of him and smiled.
“Hey, Elephant ears, hey April fool, hey , hey !”Madhi taunted and his team members laughed.
“Hey, Scaredy cat!” Madhi jeered. “See if you are up to this!”
He hurled the ball through the air so fast it almost grazed Surya’s face and hit the “stump” that was the wall behind. Immediately almost instinctively Ramesh hit Surya. It wasn’t the pain but the way he got it made Surya break down into tears.
Surya ran into his house only half-hearing the other boys defending him angrily. He ran past his Mother, who tried to stop him. His Mother watched stunned as he pushed her away saying” It’s all because of you I got these ears!” and ran into his room crying.
She tried in vain to cheer him up. His Father came home from his office and talked to Surya for a while. Finally the parents managed to make him eat dinner.
They spent more time with him that night and when he looked asleep they left the room.
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“Surya” the voice was soft. Cool breeze touched Surya’s wet cheeks. ”Won’t you say hello?”
Surya opened his tear filled eyes. Chinna Lalah sat at his bedside smiling. His perfectly round face shone with happiness. His small eyes twinkled with mischief.
Today chinna Lalah seemed to have suddenly acquired saucer shaped ears!
“Do you like my new ears?”Lalah asked.
Surya sat up looked at the shining figure with wonder. Lalah’s soft white light bathed everything in the room; the night lamp didn’t have any work to do.
Chinna Lalah shook his head to show off …. A brand new pair of big ears!
They were too huge even for Lalah’s big round face!
Chinna Lalah shook his head some more.
He also chanted “DING.. DONG. DING DONG..” As he did that.Surya laughed so hard that he thought he will fall his cot!
Lalah looked so funny! Lalah looked like a cartoon elephant!
“Am I beautiful?” Lalah asked.
“Very! I love your ears! How did you get them, Lalah?”
“I bought them at a shop in T.nagar! Got a 50%discount too!”
“Oh, I’ll ask Appa to buy me a pair of ears like that!”
“So you like big ears” Chinna Lalah said.
“Yes!”
“Then why dont you like your ears?”Lalah asked.
Surya was quiet for a minute. Lalah was right. but…
“Listen Surya, yes, your “elephant” ears are really nice! Lots of clever people have elephant ears.”Lalah said.
“Then are elephants very clever too?’ Surya asked.
Lalah laughed a big laugh.
“Yes, elephants are very clever! Next time someone makes fun of you, tell them so!”
Then lalah told surya some nice elephant stories and stayed with him till he fell asleep.
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So it went on for many days.
Lalah met surya every night and told him stories until Surya fell asleep.
Surya was a happier child now, but at times he still felt lonely…
Then one day Surya was a bit sad and he went to bed, and waited for Lalah.
BOOM! BOOM! VROOM! VROOM!
Chinna Lalah whooshed through the window, big round head and big smile.
Chinna Lalah smiled his magic smile; it lit up the room like soft light from an oil lamp.
“Hey Surya, what’s wrong, now?”
“Lalah , you are my only friend, you know I have no one to play with at home.
My friends, they call me fatso they call me an April fool, what not” surya’s eyes filled up again. he started sobbing.
“We’ll see about that” Lalah said thoughtfully.
“Promise to me , you will not feel so sad again” Lalah said this and jumped out of the bed suddenly.
He made a monkey face and started singing.
He also did a little dance as he sang!
Lalah shone like gold as he danced.
GIBBERY GIBBERY GOO!
GIBBERY GIBBERY GOO!
MY LITTLE FRIEND, DON’T CRY
MY LITTLE FRIEND, DON’T CRY
FOR THIS WORLD IS A HAPPY PLACE
AND, REALLY! YOU HAVE A NICE FACE!
“AM NOT TOO GOOD AT SINGING
NOT GREAT AT DANCING EITHER
BUT SURE I CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH
SO MUCH THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO COUGH!
FAT OR THIN , BIG OR SMALL
FAIR OR DARK I LOVE YOU ALL!
I AM FAIR BUT LONELY
OO..H I AM SO LONELY!
MY FRIENDS ARE FARAWAY, OO..H SO FAR AWAY!
SOME ARE IN SATURN LAND
SOME ARE IN JUPITER LAND
AND IAM A VERY LONELY MOON
I WONT MIND THAT, IF ONLY
YOU WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO SMILE AT ME
FOLKS! PLEASE LOOK ME UP ONCE A WHILE
LOOK CLOSELY, IAM READY WITH A SMILE!
GIBBERY GIBBERY GOO!
GIBBERY GIBBERY GOO!
Surya laughed.
This Moon was a real buffoon!
Then they heard footsteps outside. Surya and Lalah exchanged glances.
“I’ll see you later” Lalah whispered and vanished.
Surya closed his eyes and lay still.
His mother walked in and looked around. She found Surya’s play things on the floor.
They had fallen off the shelf during the moon dance!
But, Mother didn’t know that. She tidied up the room, kissed Surya and left.
Yes, Lalah was right. the next time his play mates made fun of his ears, Surya didn’t cry at all, as usual.
Instead he told them many intelligent people have big ears.
The kids were surprised by the way he said that.
Surya seemed so happy and confident!
That day’s cricket match went on well too.
Surya was a good bowler, he took two wickets and. His team won!
Their new captain Jaffer Anna hugged him.
“Thanks Surya”he said. “You helped us win”
“Thank Lalah” surya said.
Poor Jaffer didn’t know what Surya was talking about!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------That night Surya waited for Lalah happily.
Lalah came in as usual.
“Don’t you want to be a cricketer? Don’t you want to wear the India blue shirt and play?” he asked suddenly.
“Of course, I want to be a cricketer!” Surya said.
“Then you should grow well! You should be taller and be very strong when you grow up, Now you are almost as round as me!”Lalah said.
Surya looked pained. “You too are making fun of me Lalah” he said.
“No, dear, not at all, if you want to be a cricketer you should eat healthy food” Lalah said.
Then Lalah told Surya that he should eat a lot of veggies and fruits.
Chocolates and ice creams were fine, but a little boy should eat them between meals, he said.
Lalah taught Surya some simple exercises.
Before leaving he said” remember your summer camp, eat well”.
That night Surya had a lot of cricket filled dreams.!
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The next day onwards, Surya got up earlier than usual. He ate chocolates but he ate his food without fussing.
Days passed. Surya’s skin glowed!
“Dear, I am so happy you are happy! You look like the Moon!” Amma said.
Surya smiled.
”Thank you Lalah” he said softly.
In school his grades improved.
His class work was up-to- date and neat. And every one who knew Surya were surprised!
All the other teachers asked Mrs.Sita about that.
She too didn’t know how Surya improved but she was very happy!
Annual exams arrived. Surya did much better.
The summer holidays started.
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Then, Surya’s birthday arrived.
“Amma, lets party on march 31 st itself” Surya said.
“Why, dear”Amma wanted to know.
“Because, I don’t want to be an April fool!” Surya said and ran into his room.
His mother sighed.
That night Lalah appeared wearing a strange dress. He looked like a character from the English movies!
“Hey, you look like you are from a history book!” Surya laughed.
“Yes! I am from France, and my name is King Charles IX! And I am from lo…ng ago!”
“Lalah, Lalah, is that a story? Tell me! Tell me!.. now!”
“Sure! L..ong ago say before the year 1564 , that’s about 500 years back,..”
“S…o long ago! Where was I?”
Lalah laughed.”You were’nt born then! That time, people followed a calendar, like we do now. It was called the Julian calendar”
“Appa gets all kinds of calendars in January!” said Surya.
“Well, Surya, I mean, they used a calendar in which the first month was April!”
Surya’s eyes widened.
“You mean their happy new year was on my happy birthday?”
“Exactly!” Chinna Lalah beamed.
“What fun! Then..?” Surya asked.
“Then, King Charles IX passed an order which said happy new year should only be celebrated on January 1st.That calendar was called Gregorian calendar. That was in the year 1582.”
“L….ong ago! Why was it called gre.. what’s that?’Surya asked.
“Gregorian. Because Pope Gregory XIII worked it out” Lalah said.
“What about the fool’s day, then?” Surya asked.
Lalah smiled at him.
“Some people still followed the old calendar. They still celebrated happy new year on April 1st.Those who celebrated new year in January called the April chaps fools!”
“That wasn’t good , what do you think, Chinna Lalah” Surya said.
“Well. These things happen. I’ve been watching these things since so long.
Now you understand you or anyone is not an April fool?” lalah asked.
Surya didn’t answer. His eyes were still wet but he was smiling.
He got up and hugged Chinna Lalah.
Lalah felt soft and smelt like jasmines in the night…
“Thank you, Lalah” Surya said.
Lalah kissed surya’s forehead softly.
“Advance birthday wishes, Surya”
“Lalah, thank you, but surely you’ll be coming for my party?”
“I’ll be there on the first of April, but now that your exams are over.. I’d like to take a small break.”
“Lalah, are you going somewhere?”
“There’s a kid in Kenya who’s not feeling well right now, she needs me. I’ll go there and be back for your birthday. Surya. Please don’t cry”
“Surya wiped his eyes and looked at Lalah’s round dear face.
“You are right. Go and help the kid from Kenya, I’ll manage” Surya said.
Then Surya made a get well card for the little girl in Kenya.
It was a nice card showing Sun rise on a Chennai beach. Surya took just fifteen minutes to fill the colors.
Lalah loved it and promised to give it to the girl.
Then he gave a good night kiss to Surya and left.
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A quarter Moon rose over Elliots beach on the night of March 31st.
Surya’s Amma and Appa were busy making arrangements for his birthday.
His new dress was ready, his grandparents were home for the occasion, his Amma had already decorated the house with balloons..
But Surya was anxious. Where was Lalah?
Dinner was eaten, and Surya was in his room waiting.
Where was Lalah?
No sign of him. But he’d promised! Where was he?
Surya waited and waited …and waited.
The clock struck twelve, his parents came into the room. They were surprised he was still awake.
They gave him all that he’ll need for his cricket coaching.
Surya hugged them as they said goodnight.
Amma ruffled his hair and wanted to know why he was not in a cheerful mood
“Nothing, Amma, I am sleepy” Surya said.
Amma and Appa sensed something was wrong and stayed with him till he slept.
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April 1st dawned.
Surya’s house was full of people, laughter, balloons , toys and colorful paper mobiles.
Surya waited all day for Lalah, even though he knew Lalah visited at nights only.
What was wrong with Lalah?
And how he wished he could tell someone!
Was that kid from Kenya very sick? was Lalah into some sort of trouble?
Was he crying somewhere that there was another Lalah, trying to shoo him out of the sky?
His friends and cousins were talking about all fool’s day.
Surya told them how that started, and they all said WOW!
They were all impressed that Surya knew so much!
They asked him who told him that, Surya answered saying the moon told him a lot of things.
“Moon-Lalah tells me stories. He said he’ll come today”surya said.
“Surya, you are April-fooling us!” The children laughed.
“May be the Moon fooled him” one of them said.
Or, could it be that Lalah had played an April fool trick on him?
Surya felt very sad suddenly.
It can’t be! Not Lalah! Lalah was kind and sweet! He would never break a heart!
Then it happened.
The room was suddenly washed in soft light. Across the low table where the birthday cake was kept,… Lalah appeared.
“LALAH!” Surya gasped.
“I don’t know why, but suddenly its very nice and cool!”Appa said.
Lalah winked. “ ’Cause Iam here!”
“Why, Chennai weather is not so bad after all!” Granny said.
“Lalah!”
“What light is that you ‘ve used in this room?.. such soft white light!” Granpa said.
“Lalah!” Surya said.
They were all so very happy! They did not know why, for they could not see Lalah.
But he was there, singing “Happy Birthday!” with everyone.
The song was sweeter... the air fresher and more fragrant, the light was softer…
The celebrations were over; everyone had dinner and went to bed with cheer.
And… yes! Chinna Lalah met Surya in his room that night and gave his own gift.
A BRIGHT BEAM OF MOON LIGHT. JUST FOR SURYA!!!
He promised to come whenever Surya needed him.
He also passed on a thank you card from Kenya.
All this happened two years ago.
Now the kid from Besant nagar, Chennai is eight years old and he is a very happy child, loved by everyone.
If you see him in school or at his place, I bet you cannot miss that bright smile.
That was Chinna Lalah’s gift, for Chinna Surya.
And the next time you look at the night sky, don’t forget to smile at Chinna Lalah, for he is only waiting to be very friendly with anyone who’d take time for him!!!
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© Subasri Narendran 2004 All Rights Reserved
