Page 84 - English Expedition Class 6

Father chose two keen-eyed escorts from our party and directed them to go back with Bhola
16
17
Grandpa to the festival site. Th e grandson, who had found a congenial shelter under a cow’s belly
and kept blinking at the unfamiliar people passing by, was rescued before long.
I remained alert for the rest of the journey and heard Father recount the following anecdote:
Bhola Grandpa, whose father and grandfather too had been in our employment, spent most
of his time in our house. One aft ernoon, decades ago, he was found sprawling in a corner of our
veranda with his tongue stretched out. A shiver ran through those who found him in that bizarre 18
state. Th ey took him for dead.
What, however, had happened was this: an hour
earlier someone had broached to him a proposal • Where was the narrator’s party
19
for his wedding. Modesty had made him stretch coming from?
out his tongue. He had just forgotten to withdraw it • How did Bhola Grandpa discover
while falling asleep. that his grandson was gone?
I remember Bhola Grandpa blushing and • Where was the child found and
hanging his head while Father narrated to an amused what was he doing?
audience on our terrace the next day yet another
episode of their younger days:
Th at had been a wet aft ernoon. Bhola Grandpa, looking wild with excitement, confi ded to
Father and his friends that he had spied upon a gang of pirates burying a large box under one of

16 keen-eyed: observant and able to spot things quickly 18 bizarre: fearfully strange
17 congenial: pleasant and suitable 19 broached: raised a subject for discussion
74