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OLIVER OPOSSUM

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SANGEETHA KAMATH

 


                   OLIVER OPOSSUM 

"Oliver, son, you'll be late for school. The sun is already shining behind the dogwood tree. Finish your sandwich quickly and scurry before the sun rises above the treetops."

"Mom, I'm munching as fast as I can. I still crave for my favorite strawberries but I can no longer eat them now because of my allergy. Can I have some grapes for lunch? The teacher taught us the names of fruits yesterday."

" Your new teacher seems to be good! Hurry along now. I'll go to the vineyard and if I'm lucky enough, I might find some ripe and juicy ones...and don't forget to look for your jacket on the 'Lost and Found counter'."

Oliver scurried as fast as he could and was on the doorsteps of the School For Tots and Brats. His beady eyes were sparkling as he waited for the rest to arrive. He had been the first to arrive as always and today was the end of the month when the rewards were given. He couldn't wait to see what the teacher had planned to give him.

Cubs, fawns and ducklings all arrived and took their seats in the classroom. The teacher's table was stacked with gifts in shiny packaging. A murmur of excitement went around and everyone was sure that Oliver would bag the Punctuality Award and the High Achiever Award like he always did.

The teacher rapped smartly on her table and a hush descended in a trice. The young animals were all attentive.

Oliver beamed with pride and was almost ready with his acceptance speech. Teacher looked at them solemnly and made an announcement. 

"Food was stolen from the school pantry last evening! The cook has caught a glimpse of the culprit and it's quite shameful that it was one of you! From my class! "

Oliver whimpered as her stern voice boomed and she glowered at him. Oliver looked down hastily and waited for things to calm down. 

Who would do such a thing! A thief in our class!

Everyone in the class looked at each other with suspicion. 

And then the teacher walked up to Oliver's desk and hissed, "Oliver! Do you have anything to say? "

Gasps echoed around the classroom. Oliver looked at her sheepishly and stuttered, "No ma'am". 

What was going on! 

Why was he being questioned?

Surely not…?

"Oliver, it was you the cook saw last evening scampering out of the pantry. I ask you one more time—do you have anything to say?"

Oliver looked on, stunned! "No, ma'am! I did not steal anything from the pantry. I'm sure the cook is mistaken."


The classes were suspended for the day and the awards were locked up in the cupboard. There were sighs of disappointment and everyone threw daggers at Oliver with their pointed looks.

He could hear scathing whispers going around when everyone was gathered at the counsel under the Oak tree. 

The owl who was the president of the school stood solemnly. He called the cook onto the podium for questioning.

She said that she saw the trailing ends of Oliver's jacket as he hurriedly took off from the pantry. Oliver denied being there. It was a mystery which would take a long time to solve. There was no way Oliver could prove his innocence. 

And then, something suddenly struck him. His face brightened at the quick idea he had. If only it would work. 

"Catching a glimpse of me outside the pantry doesn't mean that I stole food. My jacket has been missing since yesterday. You have to give me a better proof than that."

Everyone was astounded with Oliver's quick wit. The teacher too looked impressed.

"Oliver's right. We need better evidence against him."

It was then that Lenny, the ferret blurted out, "Who else but Oliver has a liking for strawberries. He gorges on them all day. It's him and no one else."

"Come on to the podium, Lenny"

Lenny walked up confidently and smirked at Oliver as he stood next to him. The teacher glared at Lenny.

"Please explain how you know that it was strawberries that were stolen! I didn't mention it and neither did the cook!"

"And I've stopped eating strawberries ever since I found out I'm allergic to them!" Oliver rested his case and the class applauded him. Lenny was taken out of school for trying to frame an innocent classmate and Oliver was given a public apology. He heaved a sigh of relief at getting his good reputation back. He was also quite miserable to know that Lenny had secretly envied him enough to cause him trouble, to steal his jacket and pretend it was him...!


He staggered home with armloads of his rewards for punctuality, good conduct and high achiever, but quite disappointed at the sad turn of events and with Lenny. 

At the dining table was a piping hot grape pie waiting for him ! Mother had found some grapes at the vineyard and had bought the best and juiciest ones for her son. He gave a whoop of delight and scooped in the delicious meal.

Oliver slept soundly that night as the moon rose high over the dogwood trees and beamed at him...

Pic Courtesy:Pixabay

©️ Sangeetha Kamath 


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