On a Wild Goose Chase

'Everyone has a hidden talent. Some are just so well hidden that you can never find them.'

But I was the best hide-and-seek player! I knew how, where and when anyone or anything would hide. I also knew how to find things in the most well-hidden places. Sometimes, the most obvious places are the best ones. So I decided to start with them.

First, I checked in my school bag - nope. Then I went to my shelf. I pulled out all the books - to check between all the pages. Since I had never seen talent, I didn't know its shape or size. So in my eyes, it could be hiding just anywhere! But no worries, the best player is searching!

But no, it wasn't in the books. Hmm...where could it be ? Any suggestions ? Wait, YOU seem very talented! Where did you find your talent ? Tell me, oh please tell me! My teacher said that I too have some talent - I just need to find it, and that's just what I'm doing. Will you please help ?

Its alright, it's MY talent, so I have to find it.

Hey! It could be in the wardrobe! I ran there and pulled out all my clothes and sat to search. I searched every pocket of every dress. And what do you suppose I found...nothing! Pah! This Talent has turned out to be a better player than me. But no, I haven't checked everywhere.

It could be.....my study table! So I checked that place completely too. But as expected, no luck. Lets see...Rina had hidden in the bathroom last game - Talent could be there too! I flung open the bathroom door. I checked everywhere - under the bucket, in the toilet seat, between the towels...wait! I forgot to check a few places! So I squeezed out all the toothpaste, shampoo, creams, everything! But no, talent wasn't even there!

I ran down to the kitchen and started to open all the jars. I checked all the cupboards and shelves. I even opened the gas cylinder and water purifier! Before I could open anything else, Mum popped in.

"Diyaaaaa! What have you done to the kitchen ?!"

"Sorry Mum, I'm searching for talent."

"Diya, I can't forgive you for this! You are eight now! Have some responsibility! I want you to clean up all this mess, RIGHT NOW!"

So I had to spend the whole evening cleaning up the kitchen and putting everything back in its place. It wasn't long before Dad noticed the mess in the bathroom. Maybe it was quite obvious that I was behind it, so I was the first one to be questioned.

"A whole tube of toothpaste! All this shampoo...and cream! Can you explain this ?!"

"I'm searching for talent."

"In the bathroom ?! How did you expect to find it in the bathroom ?! You will not get a new dress this Christmas! Now clean it up!"

So...I began to clean up the bathroom too. And then, as I had already expected...Pia made me clean up the room. My, what a tiring day!

Next day, as I got ready for school, I began to search for talent in the bus-stop. But no, it wasn't even there. I turned the whole bus upside down with my search but all I found was a stinky old piece of cucumber. Eww!

I decided to search in the school. Every moment of free time was used up in searching. I didn't find talent, but I got the whole school happy with me! Because I found loads of lost items around. I got many delicious chocolates! Yum! But still...no talent :(

So, on returning home, I decided to check the swimming pool and playground. I dived into the swimming pool (and since I forgot to wear my swimming costume, I drowned!). I checked the playground also - behind all the trees, in all the bushes and under all the stones (even the tiniest ones).I was about to start digging when the watchman saw me..

"What are you doing, little girl ?"

"Searching for talent."

I don't see how it was puzzling, but my answer DID puzzle him a lot, and he just walked away. I started digging. It was hardly a few minutes since I started when I heard...

"Hey Pia, isn't that your little sister ? What's up with her ?"

I turned around. Pia and her friends were staring at me. Pia told them about my hunt for talent. I felt real proud.

But then, one of them giggled and said, "It's pretty useless Diya. You're on a wild goose chase!" Pia just smiled at me, and all of them walked away. Well, whatever. I continued digging. Suddenly, a group of older boys approached me.

" Hey Diya!" one of them said, "Leave your sandcastle making, don't dig here. We want to play football."

I didn't know what to say. But then I thought 'Talent can't hide here, the football would injure it.' It made perfect sense. I thanked them and went off.

My search continued for a whole week - it must have led to a lot of destruction, because everyone was angry with me.

I had messed up Mum's make up kit. I had fidgeted with Dad's wallet. I had emptied Pia's art box. I had tangled Granny's stitching wool. And I had broken Grandpa's rocking chair. But that was all. That isn't much, is it ? I'm just a tiny eight-year-old girl looking for talent, that's all. I never committed a crime, did I ? I wasn't going to jail right ?

Finally, Pia lost it. Her face was bubbling red with anger. I admit now, Talent is real good at hide-and-seek. I'm not the best player.

"Diya its enough now! Stop your wild goose chase!!"

"Okay Pia, I'll stop my wild goose chase, whatever THAT means." :)