Gift

A little voice disturbs my reverie.
“Did you bring anything for me?”
“No.”
A reproachful silence.
“Sorry. I was busy. I forgot.”
“Will you buy something now?”
“How about a Cadbury?”
“I don’t want chocolate.”
“Then?”
“Toy.”
“What toy?”
“A cow on wheels.”
“A cow?”
“Yes.”
“I will try.”
“Today?”
“Next week.”
“Why?”
“It’s not easy to get a cow.”
“If you don’t get a cow, buy a giraffe.”
“Of course.”

Later, my 5 year old niece tells her grandmother, “Sunil uncle is not a nice person. He didn’t even bring me a gift from Chennai.”