Chalk and Cheese - by Procheta Khan

8/10/2019 Chalk and Cheese - by Procheta Khan

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It is a frustrating experience to have an older brother

who always provokes you, irritates you and often gets

you in to trouble. Only if brothers were created as

innocent, harmless and obedient creatures always at the

mercy of their younger sibling. Living with an older

brother is like participating in the wrestlers ring.

MOMMY!!! Michael put a dead cockroach in my

underwear drawer! Sami yelled out.

You scared little complain box! Michael replied.

Just wait and watch what I do to you, Michael Sami

stormed out of the kitchen.

BOYS, not again. I am tired of your regular complains

and pranks! I need to work on my designs. if I hear one

more complain I will be very upsetFor lunch, Mrs Leonard prepared steaming hot rice with

Thai curry. Freshly baked brownies were neatly

arranged on the plate for desert. Sami and Michael were

playing video games in their room.

Sami, come help me to arrange the table for lunchMrs Leonard called out from the kitchen. Coming

mom! saying Sami paused his video game. Michael

smirked at Sami. Why do you never call Michael to

help you in the kitchen? He has never done something

useful for you. Why always me? Sami whined


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The Leonard family had a hearty meal which concluded

with a delicious desert treat. Their eyes were droopy

and tired. They stretched and yawned while going back

to their bedrooms. Mrs Leonard woke up and looked at

the clock with groggy eyes.

Oh, my god! Its 5:00

come on Sami and Michael, its time for your Chocs

and milk

She put on the coffee maker to prepare fresh coffee for

herself. Michael and Sami came wobbling inside the

kitchen where two bowls of milk and a box of Chocs

awaited them.

They hurriedly gobbled down their snacks. Meanwhile

Mrs Leonard got dressed to go to the grocery super

market. She drew a list of things they need. She quickly

jotted down in her diary where she always write her to

do lists.

Michael, walk faster! And dont go back to your

bedroom to sleep. You cant sleep all day. You also

need to go out and play. Look at Sami, he has already

changed and ready to go.

Sami felt a rush of pride for being praised by his mom.

He stood at the door behind Mrs Leonard, pointed at his

brother and sneer on his face. Michael gave him a


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revengeful look. Sami knew how malicious his brother

was and indeed he felt terrified at prospect of what he

could do.

Michael, Sami we cant

waste any more time.

Michael quickly went to

his room to change.

Meanwhile Mrs Leonard

manoeuvred the car

outside the garage.

Michael came rushing

out of the house with

one shoe in his hand and

the other on his rightfeet. Mrs Leonard

started the car after

every one was settled.

Sami how many times have I told you to wear decent

clothes and not those crumpled long t-shirts and those

faded shorts? Yeah and those stinky socks which

makes people stay miles away from you, Michael

sniggered. OK, I have had it with you two. I am going

to drop you both at the park. You will behave civil with

each other. Is it clear?


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The car passed by country side market place. The road

was lined with maple, pine and palm trees. And beside

the trees there were the shops scattered around the

residential settlement. There were variety of shops you

could ever imagine and so the Leonards always came

here even if they needed a tiny paperclip. There was

also an ice cream shop where the whole family gorge on

delicious seasonal ice cream every Saturday. Ms

Leonard dropped both of them at the joggers park. Thesiblings stepped out of the car with their caps, water

bottles and football. WARNING! If any of you do any

mischief you wont get ice cream from icy layers

tonight Ms Leonard warned them. Michael looked

worried.

Michael and Sami stood in front of a huge gate which

looked like entrance to a palace. Two ivy statues of

unknown angels flanked the entrance to the park. there

were two play grounds on either side of the park which

made both the kids very

fond of the park. the bestthing about the park was

the beautiful duck pond

which was situated at the

centre of the park. There

was a small arch above

the pond. The water was


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so crystal clear that the colourful whirling fishes even at

the depth of pond could be seen. The fence around pond

was built for all the ducks, swans, and rabbit. Beside the

pond there was also a big cage full of beautiful chirping

birds. A calm and mind refreshing for the joggers park

visitors and more so for the old folks who sometime get

bored at home so they love to come here. They sit on

park benches in little groups comparing the olden days

to that of the present generation or sharing their ownchildhood stories or they do a little exercise or feed the

ducks etc.

Like most old folks, Mr Gordon too looked forward to

his regular park visits with his dog, Calvin. His balding

head and wrinkled face did not prevent him from beingactive and cheerful. He loved spending time with

children and whenever he came across any child he

would give big warm smile.

As he was standing on the arch and throwing bread

crumbs down to the ducks, Calvin jumped along

woofing and hoofing with joy. After a while Mr Gordon

came down the arch and came into the pond area

through a small gate. He sat on a rock partially

submerged in the water. Sami was sitting behind Mr

Gordon and gazing at the ducks, swans and the rabbit

hoping on the land around the pond.


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Meanwhile Michael was scheming to make a joke out

of him. The bush behind which he was hiding

camouflaged with his t-shirt so no one could spot him.

he had a clear view of Sami and Mr Gordon. He

sniggered as he quietly crept out of the pond towards

Sami. He gave him a sudden push but instead of him

falling into the pond, he was thrown upon Mr Gordon.

Poor grandpa was not able to grab hold of anything for

support and fell into the pond with a big splash.Michael froze and his face turned pale. He stood

horrified at what he had done but he ran and decided to

lay low so that he doesnt get into trouble.

You idiot! You threw me into the pond!!! What do you

think of yourself? Mr Gordon shouted withdisappointment.

Calvin started barking and the disappeared from the

scene. All the old people chatting and resting dropped

everything and rushed. Sami was afraid of what could

happen next. All ducks in the pond were quacking hard

now and when grandpa came out of the pond dripping

wet a swan came rushing towards grandpa.OUCH!!! I

am ready to kill you little rat. All your fault! Ouch,

ouch, ouch

Two young men came rushing though a gate into the

pond area. They both were wearing an orange jumpsuit


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Michael was perched on top of a tree afraid to come

down as Calvin had been chasing all this while and now

he was sitting down, waiting for him to come down.

What are you

doing with my

child? Mrs

Leonard asked.

Sparks flew out of

her eyes. So you

are the spoilt kids

mother, if you see

we havent done

anything to him, look what he has done to poor Mr

Gordon over there came a reply from the crowd. Ohmy god, that man is soaking wet! Mrs Leonard. Your

lad has pushed Mr Gordon into the duck pond said the

maintenance guy no I didnt shouted Sami. Mrs

Leonard looked at her son with a snapped, complained

and confused look.

What!!! Sami is naughty but he will never push or hit

someone! Look Mr Gordon you must have mistaken

Sami said Mrs Leonard firmly. no! it was him who

was sitting right behind me and then he just spoilt my

lovely day. said grandpa. But Mrs Leonard didnt seem

to change her mind. She was very sure Sami was not


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capable of harming someone intentionally. Sami look,

be honest, did you push Mr Gordon in to the pond.

asked Mrs Leonard patiently. Mom, I didnt do it,

honest. Sami quivered.

Michael climbed down when he saw no sign of the dog.

He tip toed to a near bush the gathered crowed. But

Calvin wouldnt let go any one who troubled his master.

This smart dog came out from behind a tree. Quickly

and quietly came behind him and barked loudly. He

turned around; his eyes were pale with fear as though he

had just seen a ghost. He could feel his heart beating

faster. He got up and ran screaming his lungs out while

Calvin chased him. The dog chasing became the centre

of attention of the whole crowd. It take long for Calvinto catch him as he tripped over. Calvin caught hold of

his t-shirt and dragged him in front of grandpa.

Grandpas jaw dropped open. Everyone looked utterly

bewildered. Mrs Leonard and Sami were shocked.

Michael! Where and what were you doing all this

while asked Mrs Leonard. But Michael lay on the

ground panting trying to catch his breathe. Calvin!

What are you doing? Why are you troubling this boy?

What he done he done!? grandpa asked. woof, woof

Calvin barked incessantly trying to make his point. I

think you should have a talk with your children and sort


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things out he requested the angry mob to disperse,

allowing Mrs Leonard to speak with her children alone.

Now one of you have to tell me the truth behind the

fiasco said Mrs Leonard with wide eyes. Michael I

had asked you something what were you doing all this

while and why was that dog behind you??? He kept

his head hang low without uttering a word. Michael

what have you done?

Michael started weeping loudly. Now that he knew that

he couldnt keep anything hidden he blurted everything

out. Mom, Its not my fault I didnt mean to push

grandpa into the pond Michael sobbed. Mrs Leonard

clashed her hand on her fore head and sighed. Sami

looked devastated. Michael you have really crossed aline here. Both of you sit in the car Saying she pulled

both of them in the car and drove away. The entire ride

was deathly silent. Tears were continuously streaming

down their cheeks.

After parking the car Mrs Leonard took the grocery

packets and went straight to the kitchen without saying

a word to her sons. Mrs Leonard unpacked all the

groceries and got fresh while the sibling lay on their bed

thinking of all that happened. Sami was still crying on

his teddy which he held tightly in his arms. They didnt

say a word to each other as if the other didnt exist.


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After sometime Mrs Leonard went up the stairs to their

bedroom. Wash your hands and face, change your

clothes and come down to the kitchen. We need to

talk. They blindly listen to what their mother told them

to do and came down to the kitchen table where their

mother was waiting for them.

Michael I am very disappointed with you.I cannot

imagine what possibly have overcome you to be so

nasty with your own brother. Boys you need to

understand even if its hard to understand each other

you both are totally responsible for each other. You

cant keep on fighting and troubling each other.

Everyone appreciates you have a good rapport with

each other. Michael just tell me what made you dothis? he hang his head low in shame. I am afraid your

actions have consequences. You have done it and you

are going to pay for it. For two weeks you are

grounded, no game, no T.V, no birthday parties and no

going out to play. I think that will serve you right.

However much Sami couldnt help but feel sorry forhim. Now huge each other and say I love you brother

They hugged each other. Sami whispered I love you

Micky but Michael didnt return the gesture. Michael

I didnt hear you mom, I am saying it in my mind.

Mrs Leonard rolled her eyes and sighed. Ok, you both


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can go and think about

what we discussed said

Mrs Leonard.

They both go upstairs

and sit down to finish

their homework. Sami I

am very sorry. I didntthink of my actions. You

must be so angry with

me. Itsall right said

Sami trying forget all

that happened. Michael

gave him a warm huge.Sami filled with

happiness as he had

never seen his brother so nice to him before. Maybe this

was the being of a new relationship.

Chalk and Cheese - by Procheta Khan

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Transcript of Chalk and Cheese - by Procheta Khan