Every step to school was more than just a walk—
it was where the journey begins,
a rhythm of rain, laughter, and childhood memories.
Childhood is full of memories, and those memories last forever. Many of these little incidents shaped who we are today and became a part of our true personalities. One such memory is closely tied to our pre-school days in Vilayamcode, a small village in Kerala, India.
We, the cousins, were always a gang together, with the eldest being the unquestioned leader. Whenever someone in the group committed a small “crime,” the leader would be held responsible. Our walk to the school during the rainy season was especially adventurous. While most children would rush back home when it started raining, we created our own fun—we made hats out of vattayila (a tree leaf found in Asia) and proudly reached home completely soaked. Waiting there was our grandfather, always ready to greet us with warmth and sweet treats, creating memories that still live in our hearts.
The village itself was our playground. We considered the hog plums, ivy gourds, and mangoes from nearby houses as treasures that belonged to us. Sometimes, we would float our slippers through the rushing canal waters, watching with joy as many of them drifted away on their own little journeys. Fishing was another experiment—using a frog as bait. But the next day, when we checked, not only was there no fish, but the frog had also vanished! Even today, I smile, wondering where that frog might have gone.
Our childhood memories are also filled with discovery. We were always finding new paths and routes to school—shortcuts and hidden trails that no one else seemed to notice. For us, that journey to school was more than just a routine walk. It was where the journey of life truly began, filled with curiosity, laughter, and little adventures that shaped the souls we carry today.