A Small Excitement

Ramesh and I were sitting outside in the evening, when Bahadur came to turn on the verandah lights. He said, 'There's a snake on the stones there, a small snake.' Ramesh said, 'If it's small, then grab it.' Bahadur prudently decided to call Chinnaraj instead. Soon Bahadur returned, moving briskly in his awkward way, head down. Chinnaraj followed, carrying two large sticks, while Mary stood at a safe distance to watch the excitement. Chinnaraj looked where Bahadur pointed, and stirred the grass with one of the sticks. Then he reached down and picked up a stainless steel s-hook, left behind by some workmen. He handed it to me, smirking, while Ramesh and I tried to suppress our laughter. Mary giggled out loud as Chinnaraj strode away with his two sticks. Finally even Bahadur emitted a choked chuckle, and continued on his rounds.