PAPER SHIPS

As children, we used to enjoy the rain, playing around fully drenched, running and splashing the water in the puddles at each other. Jacob found immense pleasure in making paper ships by cutting and shaping it. He used to be very precise and accurate in making it. When the ship slanted to one side he would add proportionate weight on the other side to make it straight. A small undetected error can capsize or sink a ship. Only after being assured that it was perfect he placed it carefully in puddles, ponds and even on the ‘Kayal’. His innate desire to be a Marine Engineer was vividly noticed even at that young age and he achieved it too. ’Ammachi’ used to scold us as she did not want us to catch a chill followed by cold and fever. She used to wipe our heads dry and getting us into the house. 

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com