Bullock Cart

Bullock Cart
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When I was in  eighth grade, in Sankranthi festival  holidays,  I want to go to my  aunt's  village . Every year I go and spend some time there with my cousins.  That village is ten miles east of my town. In those days , there was only one bus in the morning at 11 o clock. Bus name was Salamat Transport , it goes to Madanapalli  at 8 am and will be  back to our aunt's village at 2 pm en route  my town Mahal at 11 am ,  a six-hour journey from destination as it would stop in every village across the route and couldn't  pick up speed because of bad roads . Roads were in very bad shape with all bumps , slopes and granite .The bus some times over crowded with villagers and suddenly because of  engine failure or puncturing of tires which would  delay the bus for long hours . The model was the bus also very old as engine has to be run by way of turning a lever by hand to start the engine. Some times engine gets heated up and water has to be filled in the radiator to cool down the heated engine.Though it was horrible , we could enjoy the motor bus travel as it gives us lot of pleasure .Other wise , we have to engage a bullock cart to reach my aunt's village which takes almost a full day to reach the village.

It was my bad fate, the bus couldn't reach my town at 11 am . It was 3 pm , bus didn't  come, my father was very furious and angry as we waited for the bus for more than 5 hours. 

"For how long we have to wait ? This dirty bus is not coming .  Let us come tomorrow , post pone your travel '' My father was impatient and turned back to my  house.

But I was reluctant to go back to my house. I have planned  every thing to enjoy my vacation in my aunt's house . Already three days are over , only 7 days are left and again schools will reopen for fourth term. I want to play with my cousins and spend some happy times with them. Since they are land lords, they have plenty of agriculture lands and gardens. I want to enjoy swimming, loitering in the fields, eating fresh organic food. Also I can play with the cattle in their house. 

My father was impatient and unrest . 

''This dirty bus won't turn up in  a right time. We must go back to our home  .I already noticed morning the bad omen , when we started from our house. Our neighbor's cat came across the street, and I was doubtful of this travel'' 

My father told me to turn back to home.  My father believes in superstitions , as per the old age customs.

 I was very much disappointed and reluctant to go home , but of no avail. 

My father was furious and I shivered with fear after seeing face .

 I followed him silently . He told me that he will  drop me at Piler Bus stand  tomorrow morning as there are plenty of buses . 

I was happy.

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Next day, we reached Piler early in the morning and my father requested a gentleman to safely drop me at my aunt's house as he  was going to the same village. My father brought me some food stuff to eat in the bus and bade good bye asking me to take care of myself till I reach destination.

I reached my aunt's house at 11 am in the morning . Everyone in the house was waiting my arrival and my cousins hugged me out of joy. My aunt was kind enough to prepare lot of food stuff  for lunch , especially curries made up with cereals,  food with millets , sweets with fresh ghee and curds . Completely organic food served and we enjoyed delicious lunch typically of a south indian meals. 

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In the evening , my aunt told me that she would go to nearby village to buy new clothes for all members in the family for ensuing festival sankranti.  She asked me which colour do you prefer for shirt and half pant. I told her blue colour shirt and dark grey colour for half pant . I didn't try wearing full pants so far , as my father couldn't afford to buy  clothe for me. 

she instructed her workman ,  who was employed by her to get ready and arrange a bullock cart  for the nearest town as there was no bus facility  from that village . 

With little doubt, I asked my aunt that I will accompany her to the next village as I was very much anxious to ride bullock cart . 

'' Aunt , Pl allow me, I would like to come in the Bullock Cart.''

Some how,  she agreed to take me with her . 

I was very happy first time I was going in a bullock cart . 

I was sitting behind driver's seat , where the workman was riding the cart with the stick in his left hand and  two  leashes in his right hand controlling the bullocks. The leashes are tied through the nose of the bullocks and while stretching them, to the  right or left , the animals take the path as they carry heavy load of a wooden cart and the people sitting in the cart.

I asked the workman to give the leashes to me for riding the vehicle. My aunt objected as I am too young to ride a vehicle and the oxen will not listen for a new rider. Some how, I convinced my aunt and took the control of bullocks and cart.

The cart was going smoothly and I felt proud as I was able to ride a vehicle.

I stretched two leashes tied around the nose of Bullocks  , but out of fear , the animals missed the track , and one of the wheels of the cart mounted on a big stone  . Suddenly , with a big sound the entire cart fell down to the left side , there was a big hue and cry by the bullocks  and my aunt. We all fell down on the field , with bruises all over body. Blood was boozing from one animal , by seeing that I was shocked and lost senses . I cried a lot and my body and legs shivered  after that incident .

My aunt  some how came to the senses and set right the vehicle and bullocks and asked the workman to turn back to the home. 

She reprimanded and yelled for my over ambition for riding a cart with out experience .

The very next day, she asked workman to take me in the bus and drop me at my native village . 

I couldn't understand why my aunt suddenly suspended  me from enjoying my vacation in their house .