Zigzag

Asha Nehemiah

Write a paragraph of about 150 words by developing the following hints.

Dr. Ashok – entrusts his – pet bird – Dr. Krishnan – children excited of his entry – it can speak – 21- African languages – Zigzag – sleeps endlessly-with heavy snore- no peace at – home- Mrs. Krishnan – not happy – shouts and asks for solutions – Dr. Krishnan writes – to Ashok- finding solutions – no reply – Dr. Krishnan – takes Zigzag to clinic- turn of event – Zigzag-takes- care of – the orderliness -clinic- very quiet-all surprised- zigzag commands – Dr. Krishnan happy- finds- secret-Zigzag-must be engaged-if not he sleeps- family is happy with his presence.

The short story ‘Zigzag’ was written by Asha Nehemiah. It is about a pet which made commotion at home. Dr. Ashok T. Krishnan was a child specialist. One day his friend Dr. Somu asked him to keep his pet Zigzag for some days. Zigzag was brought in by Somu’s old cook, Visu. It was a strange bird with different coloured feathers. He also told that the bird could talk well. Arvind and Maya, Dr. Krishnan’s children, started a conversation with the bird but the bird did not say a single word. When some nuts and fruits were brought for it, the bird picked some of them and kept them on the chandelier and fan. Then it perched on a curtain rod and slept and snored. The snoring was so loud that it affected everyone. When Lakshmi, the house maid put on the fan, all the nuts and fruit pieces fell down. Some of them fell on the master piece of Mrs. Krishnan’s, sunset at Marina. The painting had orange pulp and shiny black seeds all over it. . She could not tolerate it. Dr. Krishnan had to come home. He could not convince his wife. They got an email from Dr.Somu, who told to give the pet back to the cook. Dr. Krishanan took the bird to his clinic as he didn’t know where to find Visu. He wanted Zigzag to be in his car but Zigzag found its way to the clinic and started controlling the patients. Dr. Krishnan was surprised. The bird also looked happy and alert. It was trained to do this job by the African witch doctor and Dr. Somu. His clinic was in perfect order. Mrs. Krishnan rang up Dr. Krishnan to inform that her sunset at Marina was bought by the art critic Mrs. Jhunjhunwala for Rs. 5000. The family decided to keep Zigzag with them.

OR

Dr. Ashok T.Krishnan’s clinic was always full of children’s yells and sobs. It was like a Chinese torture chamber.

Somu, Dr. Krishnan’s friend gave him a peculiar bird named Zigzag. This bird could talk in twenty one languages as well as it could sing. The bird was a foot and half tall. Its head was bald and had crown of pink feathers.

The bird was brought by Somu’s old cook Visu. He told the skills of the bird to Mr.Krishnan’s family members. The bird didn’t talk or sing to anybody in the family. They fed it with fruits and nuts. It stayed at the curtain rod and kept the fruits on the fan’s blade. Then Zigag slept and started snoring. The snoring disturbed the family members and the neighbours. As they were fed up with the bird they decided to return it.

Dr. Krishnan took the bird to his clinic. The bird was happy in the clinic. It started to talk with the patients and commanded them. The patients and the inmates were happy and surprised. It made Dr. Krishnan happy. He was informed that Mrs. Krishnan’s painting was sold for a large amount. Mrs. Jhunjhunwula, the art critic bought it for Rs.5000/- The painting was so beautiful because the half-eaten fruits had been sprayed over it when the fan was switched on. Dr.Krishnan’s family wanted to keep the bird with them at home for another week.