Anu’s school annual day was officially declared the most important event in the Narayanan household.
More important than elections.
More important than cricket.
Even more important than discount sales.
Because little Anu had exactly one line in the school play.
One line.
But the family behaved as if she was receiving an Oscar.
For one entire week, the house echoed with rehearsal.
Anu stood proudly in the hall practicing dramatically:
“WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!”
Again.
And again.
And again.
By the 300th rehearsal, even Bruno knew the dialogue.
Grandfather whispered to Ravi:
“If she says jungle one more time, I may actually move there.”
Finally annual day arrived.
The school auditorium overflowed with parents carrying:
- flowers,
- water bottles,
- snacks,
- and unrealistic expectations.
Lakshmi carried binoculars.
Nobody asked why.
“We must see expressions clearly,” she explained seriously.
Inside the hall, Ravi transformed into full-time cameraman.
He adjusted phone angle like filming a wildlife documentary.
“Move slightly,” he told strangers every ten seconds.
Meanwhile Karthik secretly hoped Anu wouldn’t embarrass the family.
Dangerous hope.
Backstage, children ran everywhere dressed as animals, trees, clouds, and one confused traffic signal.
Anu wore lion costume.
Unfortunately the tail kept falling off.
Meera fixed it six times.
The program began.
Tiny kids danced out of rhythm beautifully.
Parents clapped as if witnessing international talent.
One child cried continuously while dressed as sunflower.
Another boy refused to leave stage because he “liked spotlight.”
Then finally came Anu’s play:
“Welcome to the Jungle.”
Children entered stage roaring softly like polite zoo animals.
Anu stood center stage proudly.
The spotlight fell on her.
This was her moment.
The teacher whispered from side curtain:
“Say the line.”
Anu stared at audience.
Audience stared back.
Complete silence.
Her brain emptied completely.
Ravi smiled nervously.
Lakshmi started praying.
Then suddenly from audience grandfather shouted confidently:
“WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!”
Entire hall turned toward him.
Anu immediately shouted louder:
“WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!”
Success.
Children resumed acting.
But now grandfather felt involved creatively.
Every thirty seconds he clapped first.
Too early.
At one point he shouted,
“Lion is coming from wrong side!”
The teacher looked emotionally exhausted.
Then came the final disaster.
Ravi, trying to record perfect video, stepped backward onto a loose wire.
The microphone system screeched loudly.
KKKKRRRRRRRRR.
Everyone covered ears.
One speaker fell with dramatic sound.
And somehow…
the school projector suddenly displayed Ravi’s accidental selfie on giant screen.
Forty-foot Ravi appeared smiling awkwardly above the stage.
Children stopped acting.
Parents burst into laughter.
Even the principal laughed into her sari.
Ravi wanted the earth to swallow him immediately.
But little Anu stood proudly on stage, pointed at giant selfie screen and announced loudly:
“That is my father!”
The entire auditorium clapped.
And Ravi, embarrassed beyond repair, slowly bowed like a defeated celebrity.
That night back home, the family replayed the video at least eleven times.
Every replay caused fresh laughter.
Especially grandfather’s surprise jungle dialogue.
As everyone laughed around the TV, Meera looked at Anu smiling happily between them all.
Small moments.
Small disasters.
Small memories.
Somehow…
they were becoming the biggest treasures of the family.