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| Sunday, 17 November 2002 |
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Sri Lanka is on hold-meaning, of course that the invitation to the island for the buses tamasha will only be in January. Everyone was sorely disappointed, but Titania breathed a sigh of relief because she was on tenterhooks about her clothes for the trip being ready on time even though the Blithe Spirits of the Night, Cobweb, Mustard seed and Peace Blossom, with some outside help, toiled day and night with their electronic needles and neon thread to get Queen Tit's Sri Lanka wear ready to wear well on time. Tit is very particular about her clothes; she is a sort of ambassadress of fashion although she i s invisible, like the rest of us. However, as we can choose to become visible when we so desire,she made quite a dit on some recent visits abroad, as for instance in some Himalayan kingdoms where fashion journalists were so ga-gaad by her clothes that they did special features in their Sunday tabloids. Tit is very creative when it comes to clothes; she even had some beautiful coats made of snow leopard skin. She is not a member of the Save the Animals Movement. As the itinerary was changed, Bottom came up with a good suggestion for whiling away the time. He approached me rather tentatively,broaching the subject of a three-day discussion on the Budget-the one that was released recently in Sri Lanka. Bot's idea was that it would be useful when we finally went to that country for the British bus launching. Quince was ordered to set the stage for the talks which were to take place in our garden itself for security's sake. We don't take kindly to walls with ears or outsiders trying to get in on our act. Bottom was to monitor the talks as well as being the chief moderator; he is very good at such things although he does tend to go overboard at times. Actually, everyone is very worried about the rising cost of living and the weekly bills we have to pay direct to the Chancellor of the Exchequer(Finance Minister in Sri Lankan parlance). There have been some sleepless nights spent on the food and drinks bills as these tend to rise higher and higher. 'We have to cut down. We simply have got to cut down,' said Bottom who, as moderator was taking everything very seriously. Quince raised the question of a whole consignment of the best Toledo steel swords and bows and arrows from Trent Bridge that had been delivered recently. 'Why do we need so many defence weapons?' That was Quince who was trying to bolster his argument. 'There is no war going on in the forest. We are not at war with anyone and no one is at war with us, so why do we need new swords and bows and arrows?' 'Look, you know, Quince, we have to be well prepared against enemies who might try to infiltrate our territories. Also, you know that all of us are constantly in training in the use of such weapons for war as well as sport.' That was Bot who can come out with some good reasoning when he wants to. 'Oh! And there's the horse bill that we have to meet,' said Quince. 'Don't be ridiculous, Quince. How do you think we are going to get about in the forest without horses? On foot? 'That was Bot again.' I am not saying any such thing. What I am saying is do we need so many horses? You know Robin will always lend us horses if we run short in any emergency,' Quince said. 'true, but we cant be going all the way to that part of the forest if there is an emergency. Suppose the Sheriff of Notts decides to pay a visit and try to undermine us in some way or the other?' asked Bot.' 'Robin himself will look after that if at happens,'answered Quince. 'Yes, but how are we going to get to Robin without horses?' asked Bot.' 'We already have horses-at least on for each of us, and Peace Blossom and the rest ride on other people's horses since they are so tiny.' 'That's beside the point,' said Bot. Then all at once there was a lot of whispering going on. Quince cleared his throat diplomatically, then began ... 'There are also some queries from our Forest Audit about ...' he broke off. 'About WHAT?' that was Bottom. Quince cleared his throat again.' 'Well ... about Queen Tit's clothes bill.' The last few words were whispered. 'Tell the audit to go and fish in the waters off the remote north western seas of Australia where whales abound and even come onto the shore to say-well, not exactly hello, to people.' Bottom was quite indignant.' 'The king and queen's wardrobe-as well as the wardrobes of all our forest folk are not to be questioned. Does everyone hear me?' Bottom in a commanding voice.' 'We second that,' came a chorus of three small voices from inside a cowslip. 'Passed,' commanded Bottom, ringing the quorum bell to indicate that the business of the day was over. 'Now, let's go to that beautiful spot near the stream where the greensward is like a carpet, for a drink,' suggested a relieved Bottom. Corks were already popping and Bottom was getting ready to organise some entertainment with a play within a play. - Ob |
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