Enid Blyton, the lady who rules my childhood memories. The author who taught me the meaning of adventure, independence, fun, friends, gatherings, lemonade, secret clubs, sheds, summer holidays, winter breaks…oh!! So many things, things that I can still identify with even after many many years.
Me and my friends worshipped her. We went a step ahead than others and actually formed a secret club in the hope that we would solve brilliant mysteries and make our parents proud. At the tender age of 9 or 10 we could go out with our pockets filled with a torch, notebook, and pencils in search of adventure (now I wonder, if only adventure could be searched!!!). But once we would reach our so called “destination” all our courage would wither away and we would be scuttling home like terrified puppies. And that marked the end of our adventure.
Today, after many many years, the childhood dream to explore the unexplored came true. My friend and I walked a lonely road talking to glory about life, our frustrations, our aspirations etc, when we came to a dead- end of a road. The end was by an incomplete house that overlooked a stream. Standing outside the house, I wanted to go in desperately, but my mind was continuously warning me not to trespass someone’s private property. (oh! the so called societal norms!!!) After much persuasion from my friend and now I thank her for doing so, we entered. I immediately went for the terrace to get an overview of the stream and the overlooking hill. Oh!! how I loved the place and what it had to offer me. Just wanted to sit down there and spend hours (crying maybe?).
Well anyway, moving on, I did manage to fulfil a childhood dream of going somewhere, doing something that was prohibited but at the same time childish. Just loved the moment when I became a child again and relived my Enid Blyton dreams!!