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The Ides of March

Another invitation to Sri Lanka. This is getting impossible. This time it's for attending what they call the Big Match.

'What on earth is this 'big match?' Oberon asked after he had been presented with the invitation scroll that had come on his e-mail.

Quince was quick on the ball. "Sire, actually it's a cricket match."

'Cricket match?' asked Ob, slightly disturbed.

"Yes, sire - a cricket match.'

- "They play cricket in Sri Lanka?"

'Yes, sire; they will be doing so for over hundred years.'

'Hundred years?'

'Yes, sire; for over a hundred years.'

Oberon looked a bit puzzled.

Suddenly Bottom comes on the scene-not to be outdone. Botty knows a thing or two.

'Your maj, the Brits will be in Sri Lanka for more than a hundred years.'

'And what will they do there?'

'Teach the game of cricket and drink Scotch in the exclusive clubs they will establish,' Bot said, by way of information.

'So what is so important about this invitation to see a 'Big Match?'

'Your maj, this is a world-famous match played by Sri Lanka's two most famous educational institutions.' 'You mean, like Eton and Harrow?'

'Yes, your maj, like Eton and Harrow.'

"Then we absolutely have to accept the invitation.

Bottom, ask Quince to send off the RSVP at once and then get ahead with the travel arrangements.' 'Very well, your maj.' And Bottom was off with a courtly bow.

I was in a dither. What to wear? They say that Sri Lanka is experiencing very hot weather at the moment. Starveling appeared on the scene just then, and was I relieved!

'Queen Titania, may I suggest that we do some clothes in light cottons?' 'Absolutely not. I hate cotton. That's all a myth about cotton being cool. Last year I wore some cotton clothes from Oxford Street and I absolutely boiled in them.' 'Very well, your majesty. Shall we use chiffon or georgette?'

"I would prefer chiffon because it is so light. Let me see the sketches as soon as possible. We have very little time to get ready.'

Oberon wanted more information on this Big Match so he sent out a message asking Merlin to see him

The soothsayer/magician arrived post haste; he would never keep Oberon waiting. The owl was on his shoulder and Merlin looked very solemn.

'Merlin, what is this Big Match that we have been invited to attend in Sri Lanka? Can you throw some light on it?'

'Of course,your majesty, we can. It is a cricket match that will be played about -- let me see - roughly in about a little over one thousand year's time.'

'And what are these two educational institutions?

'One is called Royal because it will be instituted by our government which will be in power in Sri Lanka at that time.'

'And the other?'

'The other, sire, is the College of S. Thomas.'

Quince, Snout, Puck and the Blithe Spirits of the Night crossed themselves on hearing the name of S. Thomas, but Bottom let out such a laugh that even the leaves on the nearby trees quivered. 'What is so amusing, Bottom?' Ob asked.

Bottom cleared his throat.

'Nothing,your maj; just a private thought.'

'So why is it called a Big Match?'

'Because, your maj, they will be the two best educational institutions in that country - one established by the British government in the reign of Her Maj Queen Victoria and the other by the Christian Missionary Society. They will be very elitist schools, your maj.'

'That's good to hear, Bot.'

Ob was now more relaxed,visibly so, and we then went about getting ready for lunch to which Robin O'the Hood and his Merry Men were invited to discuss plans for going once again to Sri Lanka, this time to see the Match of All Matches in that country between two colleges that will produce presidents and prime ministers and several other distinguished men too vast in numbers to mention.

We took off in the cool of the evening. Starveling had done a marvellous job with my clothes. The chiffon and silk robes were just right for the cold night flight. Ob's clothes were absolutely stunning - blue and gold silk with glitter trimming. We were scheduled to arrive in Colombo the day before the Big Match as we needed to rest after the long flight into tropical climes. Also, we had to be briefed about the history of this famous Big Match which will be played between two famous colleges over a thousand years from now.

'Are there seasons in Sri Lanka?' asked Snout who loved poking his little pink snout into everything. 'No, Snouty; there are no seasons there, 'Bottom answered.' It is now March and still cool in our forest, but hot as hell in Sri Lanka.'

'They say that the battle lines are drawn for the Big Match the last day of which will be on the fifteenth of March'. That was Quince who was expected to know everything, as the master of ceremonies.

'Why are they going to play the match in March?' asked Snout, adding: 'On which dates will the match be played?'

'They will start on March the thirteenth and the match will end on the fifteenth.' 'That's the date of the Ides of March! Bottom exclaimed. He is a keen student of history - past, present and future. Tit

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