Storyspace: Little fears!

It is a typical pilgrimage, by a typical middle class family! Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Mother, Sister and the ...Tyke. Innumerable pieces of luggage accounted for and handed over to the porter (coolie), who in turn hands it over to the taxi driver (cabbie), every one paid off, everyone taken care of.

They reach their destination at great speed. A choultry is found, to serve its purpose.

“Rooms are adequate” says Grandfather. “Good we have attached bathrooms” says Father, making use of that convenience immediately!!

Grandparents are left in charge of the little ones, as the younger couple go in search of a place to eat.

Tired oldies rest. “Don’t go anywhere, play inside” they warn.

The twosomes obey blindly…..

A game of hide and seek follows, and the two run around as children do.

Then, Disaster strikes.

The Tyke’s worst fears are realized. The chain she had around her neck now lay broken, into two pieces. Clutching on to the pieces, she stands frozen, imagining the consequences. In her tiny mind, they appear magnified. Her sister having gone into the next room, the Tyke takes a momentous decision.

Holding the pieces in her hand she does the bravest thing she can think of-hide! Small tyke that she is, her choice of place is convenient and extremely well hidden!

No one misses her for some time.

Lunch arrives, and then they realize.

"Where is she?" they ask Sister. Perplexed, Sister stammers a reply.

They search, yell, scream. By now the choultry is resounding with their calls. Everyone is searching, shopkeepers, sweepers, everyone young and old.

Mother is in tears, Father is tense. Please don’t punish us for past crimes, bemoan oldies, sending up prayers and promises.

By now the search has been on for hours, and everyone, it appears, is looking for the Tyke.

Father is forced to accept he may have to go to the police, finally.

Sister bewildered and crying wanders into the room they were playing in.

Wait, I can hear someone breathing, someone is crying. She quietly walks into the bathroom and looks around. No one can possibly hide here. There is nowhere to hide, she thinks.

Yet there is someone! Someone is hiding in that small teeny-weenie space between the door and the wall. In that gap, squeezed and pressed against the wall is our, Tyke. Holding her breathe, with the pieces of chain clutched in her hand. Teary eyed Tyke!

Sister yells, Tyke is dragged out. Mother arrives, all arrive.

Hiding place is revealed, reason for hiding is revealed.

Mother fumes, father sighs, and Tyke cries.

Tyke is pacified. Sighs of relief all around.

Tempers cool and prayers are given, once again!

She is found! She is found! The sound resounds all around!

Poor Tyke: Fear doth compel us to act in fear filled (fearful!) ways