Whimsical 17: Gentle requests

You are very strategic in how you make requests. You wanted to grow orchid plants at home, next to your pet praying mantis. 

 

On the way to the JP on Sunday, you gently began, "Amma! Sarakka had some orchids at her home, isn't it? I remember seeing it when we went a few months ago". 

 

"Is it? I only remember the oleander," I reply. 

 

"Yes ma, the Oleanders were a later addition. We saw the Orchids the last time around". 

 

I couldn't remember. Then you went on - do you know how the orchids reproduce. They are very smart, very smart! This is a quiz for you - If you give the right answer, I will gift you something you love the most. I am laughing within, yet sport a pensive face. 

 

2 min later, you go, "I will give you a clue. They lure the bees". 

 

"OK. Their attractive colors attract the bees and they come to drink the nectar. The pollen sticks to their proboscis?" I guess. 

 

"Paaaaan! You failed in your first trial. But I will give you as many chances as possible. Ok. Let me give you another clue." 

 

I am bowled over by your generosity. And then you continue, "They have a box petal, which is distinct from the remaining petals". 

 

I am quick to guess, "Alright, I get it! They attract the bees with their colorful petals. Once the bee comes on them, they lure them into their box petals which holds the pollen. The bees carry the pollen and fly away to pollinate?". 

 

You smile naughtily for a minute and ask, "Shall I tell the answer?". I can't wait enough for this. Then you explain the symbiotic relationship between the orchids and the bees. I am astounded! Nature reigning in all its glory!

 

As you note my excitement, you set out to make your request: Can we buy an orchid today?

I refuse telling that we don't even know how to care for it, and complain that I am already being forced to take care of all the plants you brought home (including a touch-me-not picked from roadside, a stray plant whose flowers were attractive to you, the dates that you accidentally sowed, the cheppakizhangu you dug to see how their leaves look, the rose plant you picked on newyear's eve, the succelent plants with tiny leaves that you picked from the vending machine). You don't argue.

 

At the supermarket, you propose that we first go through the fruit/vegetable section. As we reach there, you proclaim "Amma! it is so cold here, so I will go and check out at the dry counters," In 5 minutes, you come looking for me with two pots, each with an yellow and pink orchid. You say, "Every plant is S$xx, amma. Look, which one can we choose?". "Dei! its is a bit costly da. We don't even know to care for them, and we are not sure if they will survive.", I cut through your plans. "Let me check if there are any for lesser price," you say and go ahead. Only to see none. You feel disappointed as I didn't cave in to your request. 

 

On Monday afternoon, on the way back from school, you remind and convince me that we go to JP for buying lizard traps. Later, as I was attending to officework, I hear you wiggle your piggybank and make coiny noises. I peep in to see you very focussed on your work. I enquire what you have been doing? You wear a very butterly smile, "You refused my request for an orchid yesterday, so I am planning to buy with my savings". My mouth gapes in visible surprise. I know a desire like this will eventually find its way to fruition.

 

We negotiate. We agree on sharing the cost and bring home the purplish pink orchid. In admiration of your gentleness.