With Malice To None

Twas sometime in the British summer of 2002,when my wife and myself were holidaying in London with our only son who had settled down in Surrey,a nearby suburb,with his wife and our two loving grand daughters, that I developed friendship with one Mychale,a regular visitor to the local library,where I used to spend a fair portion of my day's time.Unlike most other Britishers who are generally reserved and do not open up easily in conversing with strangers,Mychale was found an exception and finding much in common between the two of us in literary discussions we developed a relationship based on a mutual admiration.Unfortunately this friendship could not be sustained in my susequent visits to London as by then Mychale,as I was given to understand,had reached the Heavenly abode thro' an unfortunate road accident.

In memory of Mychale,who is no more,I wish to convey to all readers of Kavitanjali one specific incident that occured during my 2002 encounter with him that brought out the sporting spirit in him.While doing so thro this writeup under Light readings
I dedicate the same to the departed soul.This specific incidence was as follows---

While being summer one would expect bright sunshine in the day,particularly people like me coming from the Sub Continent,we had three continuous days without any sunlight and with overcast sky.As we were talking about weather the conversation that took place between the two of us was as follows-----

Mychale--- No sun at all since last three days in summer.It is not like this in UR part of the country.Or is it?
Myself---No Fortunately tis not so nor do we want it to be so.But Mychale Do you notice one Thing?
Mychale---What is it?
Myself----There was a time when one used to say that the SUN never sets in the British Empire.But it now appears it never rises here.

On hearing this,though momentarily stunned,knowing me as well as he did,he could see the humour behind my saying and burst into a loud laugh.This did cause in a few others sitting nearby to raise their eye brows.But when Mychale narrated this to them Quite needless to say that they also joined in our laughter.