Meena Mangalathil:

It was a treasure house, full of interesting articrafts. All were connected to magic. Both Antsy and Roby heard with a start the wail from inside and they moved quickly towards the sound and there lay an old man with closed eyes and   parched lips with a parrot on a perch.           Antsy suddenly felt very sympathetic towards the man. She knew immediately, who it was because she had seen this room yesterday in Rufus’ mapadometer. She hesitantly started moving towards Ramo but she felt the pull of Roby in her hand but she just continued to go towards Ramo. As she neared, she called Ramo by   name and he opened his eyes with fright.           “Who the hell are you? And how did you come inside?”, asked Ramo angrily. Roby cringed at the ferocity of the question, but Antsy replied boldly. I’m sorry sir, we didn’t know, we had disturbed you. We heard you cry and we came to help. Roby nodded. But if you don’t need any help, then we’ll leave. Have a nice day and Antsy immediately turned aroun

          It was so beautiful that Antsy couldn’t contain her excitement in seeing such rainbow beauty in a single tree. She started singing so beautifully that Roby just gaped at the beauty of the sound and the uniqueness of the sound. Antsy started picking up flowers from the tree but all of a sudden the tree started transforming into a house with chimney.           Both Roby and Antsy were startled (shocked) to see a transformation taking place in front of their eyes and they immediately moved back. The tree was completely transformed and then they heard a cry from inside the house. Both Antsy and Roby looked at each other. Rambo started barking violently. Roby took hold of Rambo’s collar and slowly started moving towards the house and knocked at the door. Antsy in her sweet little voice called out, “Helloooooo is anybody home?” The wailing stopped and Antsy repeated, “Helloooo”. Then a weak sound replied, “Yes, Please Help Me!” Antsy, tried to pry open the door, but it was no use.

“Hey Aunty, do you like this place?” Yes. this is my first experience to see the world from above. Its really beautiful. I usually see only the things nearest to earth. And I’m really happy to be a human being.           “Aunty, what would you like to play?” Well, that you have to teach me because, I haven’t played, we only work and work and sleep. “But That’s terrible. Its so boring.” Now I understand, why human beings have so much waste everywhere. They always like to sit and enjoy. I cannot imagine how much food you prepare and how much you waste. For us, we always store it for future use. But now I’m no different, look I’m enjoying with you Roby by just walking. Roby smiled and threw the ball for Rambo to catch.           They walked for a while talking, this and that and suddenly, there in front of them a tree filled with flowers of different colours rose. Take care until tomorrow. Bye. Meena

          Sun rose with its usual majesticity (royally). Antsy woke up with a start as she was not used to lying on a mattress. It was luxury that man doesn’t know the value about. She got up humming to herself some very good tune, unaware. She completed her morning rituals and took a shower, changed and walked out of her room with music in her step. She didn’t know why, but she knew that she was happy. She walked to the garden, smelling fresh blossoms and suddenly, someone spoke from behind, “Aunt Antsy”, Antsy wide eyed turned around to see little Roby standing there shyly, with his ball. He had a baseball cap on his head and wore a Red Jersey and black shorts. Seeing her visitor, Antsy was surprised, but she didn’t show it. “Oh Hello Roby, it’s really good to see you so early. I was really thinking of you.” Reaaaaaallly? You’re not joking, are you? I really wanted to ask some help from you Aunt Antsy. I hope you don’t mind me calling Aunt. “Oh its OK, Roby, to tell you the truth, y

          Your life as a human would be complete in all sense by drinking this potion. You would now be a normal person. You won’t have any problem in   following human custom. But this should be a secret. You should not by any means tell it to anyone that you have been transformed by magic even if it costs your life or else it would have a lot of consequences (problems).           “I promise”, Antsy replied with a bit of surprise but didn't question it. Rufus extended his green liquid and Antsy drank it. It had a soft and mellow taste. She was asked to sit and all waited for her reaction. But nothing happened. Then Rufus turned back to his room and brought another two beakers of red and green potions and it was repeated on Spidey too. He too had the same experience. Both sat there for another five more minutes and then Rufus spoke. So now we’ll have to make plans to help Ramo.          First thing tomorrow morning Antsy has to go with Roby   and collect some flowers    from the

Rufus, got up and went to another room and others could hear noises of glass knocking glass and some swishings and chantings. They all waited patiently and Rufus arrived with two small beakers of green and red liquid. So who’s going to be first? “Well ladies naturally”, John interjected (said) jokingly. “But Rufus, they would learn language, but what about manners and behaviours and all? how would they learn it?” That’s why I selected language books, they explain everything, how to sit, how to talk, how to say, etc.. isn’t it? Both Lisa and John nodded.   All these information get into the person’s brain and it would help them act accordingly. “That’s real cool.” Lisa exclaimed. Rufus placed his beakers on the table and started keeping the books face up and looked at Antsy. She got up and came  towards the table. Rufus extended the red liquid and asked to swallow the potion and immediately afterwards look at the books by touching each book on the cover. By the time you would have swal

That’s good Antsy, I think you are the right person to help Ramo, Rufus spoke with excitement. “Really? I can do something for Ramo?” Yes, but we need a kid too. “ Oh!, that’s easy, we can get the help of Roby. He would do anything for us. He is a very intelligent boy.” John replied. OK. that’s settled continued Rufus. Now Antsy, I know you don’t know to speak properly human language as you were an ant, so by tomorrow, I want both Spidey and Antsy to learn the language completely. “But that’s impossible!” Lisa exclaimed. Yes I know, but I have already prepared the memory potion and language potion while I was hiding here, it won’t be difficult for you two to learn the language and memorise it. But the only difficulty is it, you will have to drink the language potion   in front of the language book you want to learn and I don't have any language books. “ Is it only one language, they can memorize or multiple languages”, John asked. Well they can learn any number of languages but th