The Gift of a Virus
Written,Illustrated and Designed by Niveda
Copyright Š All rights reserved. P.G Diploma, IT Integrated Communication Design, 2018-2021, Kerala State Institute of Design, Kerala, India. No part of this document must be reproduced in any form in any means without permission from publisher, Niveda Suraj and Kerala State Institute of Design. All illustrations are copyrighted Š Niveda Written,Designed and Illustrated by Niveda nivedamsuraj@gmail.com Processed at: Kerala State Institute of Design Kerala India www.ksid.ac.in
Prologue The book “The Gift of a Virus” is dedicated to all those parents who are trying their best to make their children cope with the unexpected situation caused by COVID 19 pandemic. And take them to things they haven’t experienced before. Let us together take them to the unseen face of the pandemic, “The Gift of a Virus”.
Little Aadhi really hates Mondays. Because it is after Monday, other days start to pop out. He has to do home works, study for class tests and after all wakeup early in the morning.
But that Monday was different.
At noon his class teacher announced that they won’t be having classes for the next few days. Aadhi was very happy.
Even before he reached home he was making plans. He could play with Jan and Mia who were staying in different floors of Aadhi’s flat which is in the middle of a city.
When Aadhi reached home, papa and mama were also there. That startled him and he couldn’t understand what has caused all these sudden changes.
But only thing he knew was he doesn’t want to go to school for some days, atleast for a week. He could spend his days doing all sorts of naughty things with Jan and Mia.
Next whole day, triplets spend playing. At night when Aadhi was having dinner, papa and mama were very serious and Aadhi didn’t understand anything. But he went to sleep very happily in the satisfaction of a day that was well spend. And in the thought of all naughty things they’ve planned to execute tomorrow.
Next day morning mama made him wake up early. Aadhi was very angry because “Holidays are always meant for late mornings” But to his dismay, he found that mama and papa were busy packing bags.
Aadhi asked mama,”Mama where are we going??” But mama didn’t utter a word and insisted him to get ready.
When they reached parking slot, Aadhi realized that they are leaving for his papa’s place. Poor Aadhi doesn’t know why his parents are taking him away from his friends and his favorite city,but to the place that he hates the most.
Aadhi was so sad and angry all at the same time. With weeping eyes, he gazed outside car’s window to bid goodbye to his favorite city. But to his surprise he found that the city was not the same that he saw last day. He has never seen his city like this.
“What has happened to the city?” gasped Aadhi. “Aadhi, haven’t you heard of a new word for the last few days?”asked papa.
“Yes, something like C-O-R-O-N-A,” said Aadhi. “But what has it to do with us papa?” “You are right Aadhi. It’s corona. It is a very small virus. It is
the reason that you are not going to school. It is the reason why we both are at home. It is the reason why we couldn’t see anyone in the streets,” said papa.
“But papa you said virus is so small, then why do we fear it?” asked Aadhi out of curiosity. “Even I got a viral fever last year and doctor aunty cured it with medicines,” he recalled.
“Aadhi, it isn’t the same one that caused you fever, this is a new virus and no one has found any medicines for that yet. People like your doctor aunty are trying hard to find vaccine for the disease caused by this virus. So it is very important to help them by keeping ourselves clean,”answered mama.
“But mama, how do I know if I have the virus?” asked Aadhi. “You will be having cough and cold. And sometimes we don’t even realize their attack until we fell really sick,” this time papa answered him. “And also Aadhi, if you have virus you can easily spread that to other people!!” “I am so scared now!!” little Aadhi screamed out of fear.
“Hey Aadhi! There is one thing your papa forgot to tell you. There is nothing to get scared and do you know that children can keep everyone safe from corona virus?� said mama consoling Aadhi.
“Mama are you sure?” asked Aadhi as if he didn’t understand what mama was saying.
“Yes Aadhi, you should wash hands with soap and water. And you should cough into your elbow if you are sick,”said mama. “You should wave to people instead of shaking hands and hugging them.” Completed papa. “I will definitely do this and will save everyone from virus.” Said Aadhi as if he has got some super powers.
“But papa, why are we going to your place? I have nothing to do there and no one to play with.”complained Aadhi. “You will find it out once we reach there.” Papa answered with a mischievous smile.
They reached Aadhi’s papa’s house late night. Aadhi almost fell asleep.
Sun’s rays were peeping into Aadhi’s face from the open window. A very calm peaceful morning in Aadhi’s papa’s village. Chip-chip….chip-chip-chip…..chip-chip..
h c Chip- ip….chip ch
ip… h ip-c
chip... p i h c ip h c ..
Aadhi woke up hearing some unusual sounds. He got angry as he couldn’t sleep till his mama wakes him up and for Aadhi, “Holidays are always meant for late mornings.” He took his papa’s phone to play game but that made him more furious as there was no network connection.
Fed up Aadhi walked all over the house murmuring,
“I have nothing to do here and no one to play with.�
Now, it is not one sound. It is a series of unusual sounds. Aadhi decided to have a look. He ran to the backyard of the big house.
p….chip-chipi h c chip… Chip .. c h i p … w m-e-o- ..m…m----e--e---o -e-w…. h-h…mmm… e b m . … .m-bmbeh
Mama had a big cat in her hands. And it looked same as in his favourite cartoon. And papa..he is surrounded by small chicks. There was also a cow tied in the shed.
Aadhi has never seen chicks nor cow nor cat this close.
Papa placed a chick in Aadhi’s hand. “This is like a cotton ball..” Aadhi screamed in excitement. “Aadhi, this is Velu uncle, papa’s old friend. All these animals are his friends and now Aadhi’s too” , said papa. Aadhi was dancing with his new friends and he saw two eyes peeping out near the huge tree in their backyard. And it was “Aami”, Velu uncle’s daughter.
“Now who said, Aadhi has nothing to do here and no one to play with ??� completed mama.
This was indeed a great gift from the virus.Only because of this teeny tiny virus, our little Aadhi got new friends and started his new journey to explore and love nature.
The Gift of a Virus “But papa, why are we going to your place? I have nothing to do there and no one to play with.”complained Aadhi. “You will find it out once we reach there.” Papa answered with a mischievous smile. What is the gift that waits at Papa’s place? That even from a virus.......?
The book “The Gift of a Virus” is dedicated to all those parents who are trying their best to make their children cope with the unexpected situation caused by COVID 19 pandemic. And take them to things they haven’t experienced before. Let us together take them to the unseen face of the pandemic, “The Gift of a Virus”.