Boxing Day
A hunting we will go
A hunting we will go
We’ll catch a fox
And putimina box
And never let him go!
Good morning to you, my friend. Do you know this
song? Nursery rhyme. In my childhood we are learning this in my school and
singing daily. I am remembering it now because to-day is called Boxing Day. I
will tell you why. Just listen, okay?
See, in the olden days, golden days, really,
olden was golden, that is why for each and evvery thing I am saying olden days
olden days. What, what? What did you say? Come to the point-a? What point? And
you don't talk when I am interrupting, I say. Spoiling the thought flow in my
head. See, now I have to go back and remember from starting.
What you said I was saying, olden days-a? Yes,
yes, correct, olden days. Now I remember. I was singing about fox and box, no?
The day of Christmas was birthday of the Lord, correct? Even now it is. Joy and
celebrations and all. After that, next day was the day when the rich landlord,
owner of land, farm and all, he called all the labourers and workers and
servants and poor people of entire village and gave them food and gift and all,
each and evvery thing packed in box. Why because, it is tedious to give so many
items one by one, so he put them in box and gave each one one each. Means in
one box, all the items are there for one person or one family. Like our
Deepavali pattasu cracker box which is coming for 200 rupees or 300 rupees or
something. Of course, nowadays due to pollution control, that is also slowly
stopping. What to do?
Anyway, back to track. So the landlord was
giving box of presents of food and other gifts. No drinks. Okay, okay, maybe
little bit of drinks also. Maybe grape wine or rice wine or something. You
know, some people are making wine from rice? What? What you are asking? Whether
they can cook the rice afterwards after taking out the wine? We don't know
about that. Maybe they are having too much rice to make wine and all. But we
don't know about that, see?
Doll? You are asking about doll? What about
doll? What about it? Whether we can make wine from doll? I don't know about it
because I didn't try, see? In my house we are making only sambar from doll, not
wine, see? No, no, I am not Italian. Why are you make funning of me?
Because I am saying see, see? This is not Italian. It is English. I am saying
to be clear, see? See. With eyes. What? Eyes, eyes, our seeing eyes. Kannu.
Eyes. Not ice. You are hopeless fellow, having one track mind. When I say eyes
you are thinking of some single malt double malt and all. Hopeless fellow!
Better you think of ragi malt, it is good for health and tasty also. No ice
required.
Okay, now back on track. What I was saying? Yes.
The landlord gave them food and gifts and all packed in the box. So, after
Christmas Day, next day was called Boxing Day.
Nowadays, some countries like England and
Australia celebrate Boxing Day by having cricket Test Match against each other
or against other countries.
See? Now you have learnt something new from me,
no? What? You already know about it? As if you are knowing each and evvery
thing. Like some Sakalakalavallavan or Ellamtherindavan or something!
Simply go now. Test Match is coming on TV. Go and
watch.
- © Shiva Kumar, Boxing Day, 2020
