India is an agricultural country. Here much depends on monsoon and rains. Good and timely rains mean good crops and prosperity. Bad and poor monsoon means misery and drought. Rains are always welcome in India. They are awaited eagerly by all. Sometimes there are flood in some parts of the country. They expected rains a lot of harm. It was already the 15th day of July. The expected rains had not arrived. The onset of rainy season was delayed by a couple of weeks. People were feeling very uneasy and anxious. People often discussed rains and weather. They often looked at the rain- bearing clouds. The farmers prayed for the clouds and rains. It was sultry, humid and very unpleasant. The school gad already opened after long summer vacation. But the students could not pay attention to their lessons because of hot humid weather. The fans did not provide any comfort. The relief was long overdue form hot season.
Then one day, suddenly the sky was overcast with dark and large clouds in the north. Before it there was a short dust- storm. It brought down the temperature and people heaved a sigh of relief. But real relief was yet to come. There were thunder and lightning. The rumblings in the skies delighted the expectant hearts. Then it started raining. The drizzle soon changed into downpour. People were taken unawares but they all were happy and cheerful on the onset of the monsoon.
I was returning home from school. I had neither an umbrella nor a rain-coat. I rushed for shelter in a nearby showroom of readymade garments. A salesman in the showroom was known to me. I was fairly drenched. The man offered me a towel to wipe off the rain water and then offered a comfortable seat. I thanked him for the help.
It rained very heavily and continuously for 30 minutes. All the roads, streets and markets were overflowing with water. For sometime, the traffic came to a stand still. At some places there was knee deep water. The Municipal authorities were caught unawares. There was water-logging. The drains had chocked at many places. There was water and water every where.
Soon the children came out and started enjoying in the flowing rain water. They were boys and girls between three and 10 years of age. Some were quite naked; the others half naked. They splashed water on one another, swam, jumped and frolicked. They shouted with joy and ran after one another in sheer glee. They had all sorts of fun and frolic. Some small children enjoyed floating paper-boats.
When the rain had stopped I came out of the shop and went home. The roads had become dirty, muddy and slippery. One had to walk with caution. I reached home, took off my soggy shoes and socks and changed my cloths. I took a chair and sat down in it comfortably in the balcony. My mother offered me a cup of hot tea and some snacks. I enjoyed the refreshment looking out on the scene.
It was all comfortable and soothing after long hot summer. The temperature had come down considerably. The cool breeze was blowing. Even the animals and birds were very happy. They showed it in various ways. In the evening there were more rains. At night the croaking of the frogs could be heard. At long last, the rain god was pleased to send clouds. They were all laden with water and water, the life-giving liquid.