seed #352
Chintu hated maths. He hated his teacher too because the teacher kept insisting that maths was important for surviving life. He used to say oxygen was more important, but that used to piss off his teacher. Chintu was looking forward to the weekend. He was to go butterfly hunting with kuttu. However the mood was ruined when the teacher ordered some extra homework to be done on Sunday. Not only could he not go hunting he also knew the weekend homework is trouble because on regular days he managed to copy the answers from other students. He dreaded he be home alone with homework this time and there would be nobody to copy from . What was worse was kutuu was equally bad at maths. He looked at him and was disappointed because kuttu didn’t seem to be worried . After school was over Chintu said kutuu that butterfly hunting needed to be rescheduled because this homework would be taking forever and more. And why was kutuu not sad because he too has never managed to get a single addition right. Kutuu said he was not worried because he had a solution to both of the problems. He knows someone that can help them with the right solution and the area happens to be filled with butterflies. That gave some relief to Chintu as they decided to meet the next day and start out early.
Chintu dreamt of butterflies that night and could not sleep much. And we all know when Chintu is unable to sleep there is some magic that is bound to happen in the story .
Chintu was in a rush the next morning and packed some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for himself and his friends. He knocked on kuttu’s house to find him asleep. he woke kuttu up and they rushed out. Butterflies are best caught before 12 in the morning. After that they vanish for their afternoon naps.
Kuttu started to head south east. While talking and smiling various nonsense with Chintu as best friends often do. After walking for an hour Chintu suddenly stopped.he was scared to go any further. They were at the edge of the forest of giants. Nobody has lived to tell the tale of this forest. This was the last point of the earth. After this forest was supposed to be the cliff of heaven. Chintu inquired what they were doing there. Kuttu said he had met a gypsy who took 3 copper coins and promised to solve his maths problems. He lived in this forest, amongst butterflies. Chintu was nervous. He knew kuttu was a brat of the best kind much like him. And brats are fun to be with but can’t be trusted with life. Chintu would have returned, had not one of the most exquisite butterflies flown past him. They rushed into the forest behind it to begin their hunt. But of course catching the butterflies of mansukhgunj was no ordinary feat, it slipped right past them. When they got hold of their breath Chintu realised they were too far in the forest than was safe and they had lost their bearing. Fear gripped him and then anger when he saw kutuu simply walking ahead whistling. He was angry for two reasons. That kuttu seemed to have no worries. And he would not stop with the bad tunes. Chintu inquired whether he knew where he was going.
Kutuu took out a map given to him by the gypsy. On the map was marked a spot where the gypsy lived. The landmark was a pond of Lilies. Kuttu said the gypsy had sent the butterflies to guide them to his place. Chintu did a facepalm. He thought their life was doomed and they would have to spend the rest of their days as uglier versions of tarzan. To his delight another butterfly popped up and flew around till it stopped. It seemed to be waiting for them to follow. Kuttu started whistling again and started following the butterflies. chintu was perplexed. he didn’t want to follow kuttu deeper in the forest, chintu wanted to return home but he feared to be alone in this fabled wicked forest. He had no option but to continue his journey with kuttu.
“Can you trust this gypsy kuttu?”
” Yes. there is no reason not too.”
” Don’t you think that no trustworthy person would live in this forbidden forest?”
“I would not have trusted him if he had not given me this map marked x”
Chintu had no words. He missed his grandmother as they trotted further. He prayed and brayed that he would be a good boy and be more diligent in the maths classes as they followed the butterfly.
fear makes the tummy growl, and whenever the tummy growls it is time for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. chintu was pissed at kuttu and had trailed behind him, so he decided that he would stuff all the sandwiches in his tummy because kuttu didn’t deserve one. as he opened the box a swarm of most beautiful butterflies flew in to buzz around chintu. kuttu turned around to see what was all the buzz about. He saw the sandwiches and said “why did you have to open it right now. the butterflies seem to want it too. give them some.”
“fine. i will give them your share for it is you who got us into trouble” and chintu breaks half sandwiches and feeds them. butterflies seemed to like the sandwiches and continue to hum around the chintu and stopped leading the way.
” give them the rest too, it seems that they would not lead the way if they don’t get it all. and you think i am a brat” chintu huffed and and before he could puff, the butterflies had attacked every last piece of the sandwich and seemed to be floating in the air in ecstasy and delight.
“come on come on! lead us quickly. We are far too deep in the forest and the only thing that’s keeping me sane was this sandwich that you people have gobbled up.” chintu screeched.
the butterflies did a wheelie and it seemed to chintu that they giggled too.
The forest was dense but not very scary in the daytime. however this did not ase chintu one bit. he was sure this was a sham and even if it was not then gypsy was sure to enslave them. Everybody likes to enslave pretty boys. such thought kept Chintu preoccupied till he hit against kuttu who had suddenly stopped. Chintu looked up to see that they had indeed reached a vast pond which had beautiful lilies in them. Chintu thought at least it is a pretty scene to be enslaved around.
“what good enslaving feebly boys will do me?” said the gypsy who had popped out of nowhere. “what? how do you know i was thinking about that?”
“i am a gypsy not your headmaster. i know everything.”
“so will you enslave us?”
“no. kuttu is too much of a brat. I am sure you are too. enslaving you will be a sure harassment. i would rather not do it.”
“first things first” said kuttu. ” help u with our homework. we have travelled a long way and we have to be back home soon.”
“ah the maths problems. I know everything but not maths. what good does knowing maths do anyway”
now it was kuttu’s turn to get worried. he knew if he did not do the homework he was in big trouble. ” but you had taken from 3 copper coins and promised to help me! you wont?”
” i will be alright! don’t get fussy! That is why I have called you to this pond of lilies. i hate maths too so i often take help from these lilies”
“what? is this a joke? we have not only lost our way but also lost the jelly sandwiches! how can these lilies solve our maths problem?”
” these are no ordinary lilies! These are aryabhatus mathameta! They have prodigal maths solving capabilities. however they are useless otherwise”
“I don’t believe you” said chintu, kuttu added ” neither do i “
” I will show you. give e the eclairs that is in your pocket”
“How did you know?”
“Like I said I know everything just not maths. now give me. That is the only way to wake these lilies. They have a thing for candies. you both sit down and ask the questions and write as they dictate”
This is how math problems are solved in mansukhgunj.
Magaj INC 