Mangoes and Milk Ice-creams

Summer holidays often contain our fondest childhood memories. Our member Ms N. Das looks back on carefree days spent playing outdoor games with friends, and, of course, summertime treats.

Summer vacations in my childhood meant, first of all, that school was over, and it was time for fun and games. Ours was a close-knit neighbourhood, and the clubs and associations would organise cultural programmes in which all the kids would participate.
There used to be a large open field in front of our house, the likes of which are rare today. All the children used to congregate there, and we would play our favourite games: marbles, luko-churi (hide-and-seek), kit-kit (hopscotch), rumal-churi (handkerchief theft), and dangulli, a game with a large stick and a small, tapered, wooden peg.
After our games, we would return home and my father would cut ripe mangoes for us. The hotter the summer, the juicier and tastier the mangoes. In the evening, my mother would take me, my younger sister, and my cousin to the park where we would be eager to spot the ice-cream man. What a thrill! My mother would not indulge us, saying iced treats were not good for our health. But the tantrums of three young ones were too much to bear for one adult, and so she would ask the ice-cream man if he had any milk ice-creams, a popular sort in those days. Maybe she rested better knowing that we were receiving some nutrition.
As the daylight receded, we would play on in the park, getting on the swings and have a gala time on the dheki (see-saw). Once back home, we would wash up, gorge ourselves on evening snacks, and sit down to study. By dinner we would be weary from the day’s activity and go to sleep, dreaming of another fun-filled summer’s day.
(as narrated to Support Elders by our member)

(as narrated to Support Elders by our member)