A SCARE

We used to often hear a low or high pitched buzzing in our compound during night. At times, this voice sounded eerie and frightening. This irritating high and low pitched noise disturbed the peace, tranquility and stillness of the night. Gripped by curiosity, we decided to detect the source of this eerie sound. Jacob fetched a hurricane lamp. The lamp sputtered, flickered, and was about to go out. He refilled it with kerosene. It grew bright again. I was armed with a long sturdy cane and ‘Appachan’s torch and walked out into the compound. We seemed adequately equipped to confront this so called enemy. We decided to move towards the noise with muffled steps. We noticed that as we went nearer to the hedge trees this sound became high pitched and then stopped, a deafening silence. How can the hedge trees make such a noise? We remembered the folk tales about supernatural beings. So we wondered if a ghost had entered the tree trunk and let out that strange sound. I remembered the homily of a priest who said, “There is no spirit, ‘Atmavu’, in plants or animals and it existed only in human beings. Human beings are very special creatures of God but on one’s death his spirit can enter into plants or animals.” Jacob warned me, “To take care” and then he brightened the lit lamp. We saw nothing in the darkness. Suddenly there was stillness as the noise stopped for a few moments. I blazed the torch and touched the hedge tree trunks with the cane. We were flabbergasted at the sight of the small devils moving; we bravely took few steps closer to the tree and identified them. They were small insects namely the “Crickets,” a type of grasshopper belonging to the Order Orthopteran. Their fawn colour with grey patches camouflaged against the bark of the tree. I have seen it on banana plants as well. It has long antennae. They are omnivorous and often seen on the lawns and other green patches. What all foolish ideas the seniors make us, children, believe! These are foolish ideas imparted by the so called “learned people” of a community, which is blindly believed. We noticed that the noise was heard when these crickets rub their legs on their wings. When they were irritated the noise became higher as the rubbing was more forceful. Now we changed our attitude towards Crickets; they are not a nuisance at all. They are the favourite food of small birds. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com