By Ratna Manucha
The one horse town’s a hub of activity,
Everyone’s humming around, as busy as a bee-
They’re even going into the nitty – gritty
Each one of them, eager to please.
Plans are made – and then unmade,
Orders are barked in no nonsense tones.
Menus planned and seating arrangements discussed – sun vs shade
And to top it all…the persistent ring of the phone.
Discreet enquiries reveal his taste-
And where his preferences lie.
The mutton korma is flushed down the toilet – Oh, what a waste!
Oh, Cook! Try again, please try!
The guest room is shining, all spic and span –
Everything is exactly where it should be.
Things seem to be going right, according to plan,
The carpets aired, and even the loo is flea free!
You see, the ‘General’ is paying a visit
(Other lesser mortals just ‘pass through’!)
The barbers and tailors work around the clock…everyone has to look fit-
Doesn’t matter if they have to squeeze into their 6Bs and slowly turn blue!
D – Day dawns, all bright and clear-
The driveway, freshly washed, is lined up with curious faces.
A cry goes up, full of expectant cheer
And the men salute smartly, they’re well up on all the social graces.
Come sundown, and the missuss’ hearts are all a – flutter
The wardrobe ransacked, ‘cause the blouse and sari don’t match’.
The dressing table’s full of clutter
Oh! How to disguise that ghastly patch! Now there’s a catch!
Eager feet troop into the Mess
With ingratiating smiles plastered on…
My jaws are aching, I must confess
And by midnight, I’m surreptitiously suppressing a yawn.
The Visit was a thundering success –
(One knows when the next day is declared ‘Adm Day’)
The Old Man struts around, barely concealing his happiness
And thumps everyone on the back.
For all his orders
Without a murmur
They did…
Obey.
(Ratna Manucha is an educationist, an award winning author of fact, fiction and text books for children and young adults and a columnist who enjoys looking at the lighter side of life)
