5 – Squiree And Me

I had taken a day off to consume the accumulated earned leave. So being lazy for the day was imperative. I was sitting idle at the breakfast table contemplating my next move. Something that stirred beyond the curtains and outside the window caught my attention. I knew the perpetrator so decided to wait for the next move. A snout featuring eyes full of mischief and a smile wider than the whiskers with a trailing furry tail made its presence felt. I did not offer any instant response. Huffing and puffing it announced “Hey! You there! I am back with sensational breaking news!” The furry bundle swayed its tail to stir the ambiance. I had to admit the squiree had arrived. Squiree struggled to gain a foothold on the window sill. It flashed a victorious grin and queried, “I presume, you remember the deal we have?” I nodded in silence to indicate acknowledgement.

It received my acknowledgement graciously. In the next move it looked sideways – took a few sidesteps towards right, to be exactly at the bottom centre of the window. It looked at me expectantly to seek my approval. I waved at it meaning – just continue. It raised its right paw and drew an imaginary square in the air. All this meant that - Squiree had taken a position at the news desk at the TV studio. It was for a while busy preening the whiskers. Further it rolled the tongue sideways, darted it out in different angles, opened and closed the snout a number of times, obviously she was carrying out some snout maneuvers. I had little difficulty in stifling my laugh. I seized the opportunity and made the routine in studio announcement – 15 seconds to go – for Breaking News at Breakfast – final call for the crew - live we go now. Instantly Squiree took over.

“Good Morning Viewers – Breaking News at Breakfast Hour – Presented by Squiree J. T.

“Silver Oak Towers suffers unusual flooding in the scorching summer.” Last Friday night the staircase at Silver Oak Apartments was plunged into a deluge. Chaos prevailed for the next half an hour throughout the seven story building. Sheets of water flowed down submerging colonies of ants under the tiles and uprooted cobweb moorings. Alert watchman Hari Singh was the first to reckon the danger. Courageously he took the lift and reached the top floor to alert residents. The residents joined probe. Water was jetting out from a closed flat on 5^th floor. Finally someone got hold of the keys and opened the door. Hari Singh rushed in and closed all the taps. Further tragedy was averted by timely action of Hari Singh. That is all we have for the present edition.”

The mock telecast was over and Squiree looked a lot relieved. Thereafter she said emphatically – “Haven’t I qualified for the reward as per the deal?” I nodded sideways at her to indicate my displeasure and added – “Squiree that was a stale piece. The incident happened last week. Can any stale news be called a Breaking News?” Squiree almost lost its cool and retorted – “You are shrugging off the responsibility. The deal does not lay any qualification as such for breaking news.” I added, “This isn’t a fair play. Yet I will dole out the reward as per the deal.” I doled out handful of peanuts. Squiree got busy with the nuts. I added, “I want to modify the deal to make it more transparent and less prone to manipulation.” Squiree grunted happily to indicate approval. I said, “Hereafter only unreported fresh news shall qualify to be called a Breaking News. So the qualifying requirement for an award stands modified.” Squiree added, “You have modified the first part of the deal. I have a right to modify the last part. The rewards shall be a handful of almonds.” Instantly it turned around and wagged its tail vigorously to convey a kind of thumbs down. As usual squiree had once again beaten me at the game.