Lord, you told us: ?Go forth and multiply.? Did you think you could manipulate us? But we are contrary creatures: We?ve been dividing ever since. You reckoned without us calculators.

?HUNGRY GHOST?

Today I went shopping with my father after many years. I felt I was back in time to when I?d follow grandfather to the market, smelling the spicy scents, drinking the sights and mingling with the shouts. Neither buyer nor seller, I would float like a restless spirit, hungry for life. The market is bigger. I have grown too. There are more goods as distances have shrunk. The prices are higher. I understand about money and, alas, its bondage of buyers and sellers. Almost I wish I was again that hungry ghost, watchful and floating through the world?s noisy bazaar.

Debjani CHATTERJEE