Monday, September 1, 2008

Drama in real life – (Not a) Bush Fire!

Chikankata, the 30th August 2008
13:15 hours Zambian Time

A Mizo doctor in Africa was ready for any challenge, except this.
The neighbours’ extraordinary heroism and much more………….
By Dr. Zairemthiama Pachuau with Laltlankimi Tochhong

One of Melissa’s favourite rhymes goes –
Fire, Fire, Fire,
It burns the bush at night,
When animals come -
They are all afraid of its hot and yellow flame…

Fences here are done with freshly dried tall elephant grass. Comes autumn, it is the order of every year that houses will have, around them, nicely trimmed fences replacing the old ones. This year ours is not an exception and we loved it. Of course our garden boy received extra allowance from us as a token of appreciation for the excellent work he did.

Now here comes my role as a concerned ‘fire preventer’. Fearing that the old grasses discarded outside the new fence might catch accidental fire, I’ve asked my wife and the two kids out to first do a clearing work, gather the grass in one or two heaps and then burn it. Honestly saying, in doing so I expect my kids to have their own share of fun by watching this demo ‘bush fire’, which they longed to see for sometime now. But once I lit the fire, things go out of control, portions of the new fence catch fire and soon the fire spread everywhere. Passers-by come, our neighbours follow and they all help us in extinguishing the raging fire. The scene of the backyard after all the commotion was even more dreadful - hose pipes, rakes, hoes, buckets and shovels were lying everywhere, which reminded me of the potential damage the fire can do if it were not put out on time. Thanks neighbours and others who come to our rescue. You are real heroes.

As with any other catastrophe, whether major or minor, the first question asked was the judgemental ‘Who did it?’ It’s not that I don’t know the answer to their question, but for some good reason I left it for my wife to answer them. Reluctantly she has to say, “It’s the doctor”, after hearing which they all burst out laughing!!

I have to comfort myself with the fact that of course, doctors are not expected to be fire experts, if not for the skill to treat victims of fire. Yes we are for patients, as fire-fighters are for fire. At least I wish my kids had their grand treat of (but not a bush) ‘fire’!!

5 comments:

Henry said...

Fire in Africa?!! OMG !! must be real hot :)

Kiamlova said...

Thiam, Africa in ngeih hle niin ka hria a naupang reng an sar tha mai, Patian ruat ngei in niin ka hria e. In thlalakte en a nuam khawp mai. Mapuii antam leh Tomoto vel hi kan it ve hle, keini lah hetiang hian kan ti tha ve thei lo. Kan ei khawp chu kan hmu ve a, kumin chu Mai pahnih ian deuh deuh kan rah ve nia.

Zairemthiama Pachuau said...

@sercop=it's actually the drama which was hotter than the fire itself. It made me sweat a lot.

@kiamlova&puii=Pathian kan chunga a thatzia hi kan sawi kan sawi thin. Nangni kan hotute leh helai kan rawngbawlna hmuna mite hmangtein A hmangaihna hi kan tem nitin thin a, Africa hian kan mimal leh chhungkaw nunah, leh rinna kawngah zirlai leh malsawmna tam tak min thlen mek a, min pek tur tam tak a la neiin kan hria. Kan fate'n nitin hmasawnna an neih thar hmuh te, kan rawngbawlna tlinglo takin mite nunah malsawmna a thlen ve a ni tih hmuh leh hriat tluka min tihlim a awm ngai lo. Fur kan tan chho leh a, kan thlai huan pawhin tan an la chho leh ta e, theih nise inthar tem a chakawm hle mai. Gardening hi kan chhungkaw hobby a ni a, a hlimawm kan ti. In mai chu a 'an' a tui ngawt ang.

Lena Jongte said...

In dam tlang em? e'nge in chanchin? In rawngbawlna a lo chak zawk theih nan kan hriat chhuah chang che u-in kan lo tawngtai thin a nia. Tang sauh sauh rawh u.

Lena Jongte said...

news: Pu Hmingliana B.chhip expire : RC Jongte stood 1st in BD, scoring AICS record 69.33% : Lallenmawia Jongte still drink and drunk 'rakzu' : Ka pu Muana is very fine : Ka pu Muante's business 'thangkam' is not going very well: Pu Ngena is still 'Tlangua': Ngurtina contrinue hi very 'ho' charectar : Lalthlanchhuaha is the new president of YMA Branch : Thaa is still very 'ngawi' if u want you can ask such Q