Zebe Plays With Esha

It was a wet and dreary afternoon and Zebe was bored.

As much as he wanted to, Zebe could not go for a walk walk along his favourite Pandanus River; the skies were a scary shade of grey, and streams of water rained from above.

But he would not be deterred from having his afternoon fun.

In the corner of his eye, Zebe spotted his adorable little brother Esha.  

Oblivious to the world, the four-month-old was squealing in tangible delight. Esha was lying under the lovely jungle gym that Addy and Ummy had bought for Zebe a long time ago. Using his little fingers to swot at the overhead animals and rustle the crinkly jungle leaves, Esha was clearly enjoying his afternoon, rain or no rain.

Zebe had a great idea.

Sauntering towards Esha, Zebe remembered the days when he too lay under the very same jungle gym; his eyes wide with astonishment every time his movement led to the melodious sounds of the jungle.

Pausing for a brief moment in front of his younger brother, Zebe got onto his knees. He then gingerly crawled his way under the overlying jungle ornaments and perched himself directly over the stunned infant.

Esha erupted into a loud chuckle of delight.

"Zebe! Get off Didi at once! Stop sitting on him!" Addy's booming voice materialised from behind.

"You may sit with Didi if you like, but not on him," echoed Ummy.

And the two-year-old promptly got off his brother, who seemed none the worse after the experience. He then gently stroked Esha on the cheek.

"Didi," he said. "Pat Pat."

And Esha chuckled. 
 

Ummy is for Hugging & Addy is for Walk Walk

Zebe opened his eyes. He had sensed the warm rays of sunlight dancing into his comfortable room. Recently, Addy & Ummy had moved his cot right next to the window, and he really loved the new arrangement. 

Zebe jumped to his feet. He peeked through the colourful curtains to steal a glance at the nearby Pandanus River. What a happy boy he was to be able to enjoy such an unspoiled and beautiful view of nature. With the fresh breeze surging across his face and right through his hair, the two-year-old clearly felt he was the happiest boy in the world!

Zebe suddenly missed his Ummy & Addy. 

"Ummy!" he cried at the top of his voice. "Ummy!"

"Zebe!" A deep familiar voice greeted him warmly. Apparently his cries had been answered; although the person wasn't exactly whom he was looking for.

"Addy!" The little boy responded in fondness nonetheless.

As Addy lifted him from the cot, Zebe suddenly felt a deep need for comfort. Addy was big and fierce and scary. Only one person could soothe him now.

"Ummy!" he sobbed. And the little boy pointed at the room where his parents slept with little Esha. "Ummy!" he cried longingly.

"Alright, Zebe. Addy will take you to Ummy."

Zebe felt himself being flung right into the waiting arms of Ummy. She was warm and soft and cuddly. 

"Ummy!" The little boy sighed as he hugged his Ummy lovingly. He loved his Ummy.

"Zebe, it's nice and early. And Ummy has to take care of Didi. Do you want to go for a walk?" Addy asked.

The toddler sprung to his feet, almost as if his body had been commandeered by an unknown magical force.

"Addy. Walk walk," he said.

"Sure, Zebe. Go choose your shoes."

And the little boy lost no time as he dashed helter-skelter to the door. He loved his Addy.

The Homecoming

Zebe dashed into the house. He missed his Ummy and Addy. After a long day with his beloved Mama & Kong Kong, he was longing for the snuggly arms of his Ummy. Ummy always had a way to comfort him and make him feel warm and comfy all over again. And perhaps his Addy would take him for a walk walk. Zebe loved to go for nice walks with his Addy along the nearby Pandanus River.

But today everything seemed different.

As he entered the main hall, Zebe noticed a strange creature lying in the bamboo basket that he once used when he was still a tiny baby. Horror upon horrors, the stranger had a head and a body just like him. And it also had two tiny arms and legs. But the weirdest thing yet - the creature moved!

"Waaaaaaahhhh!"

Zebe inched back in fright. He had never, in the whole of his two-year-old life, heard such a terrible noise! As the little boy pondered what he should do, he felt a surge of bravery and the need to defend Ummy and Addy and all he knew to be safe. He lunged forward and hit the creature squarely on its arm. 

"Waaaaaaahhhh!"

Zebe jumped back. Somehow the creature didn't seem so scary anymore. In fact, it seemed more in pain than anything else. Zebe felt so remorseful for hurting the poor little thing. His scrunched his face in a gesture of apparent sorrow.

And the all-familar voices rang through the air.

"Zebe! No hitting! That's your Didi, your younger brother Esha!" said Ummy.

"Say sorry, Zebe! Now!" insisted Addy.

The little boy felt sad. He looked away from the moanful faces of Ummy and Addy. Then he took his right hand and made a little circle on his chest "Sorry," it meant in sign language.

Zebe inched his way again to the little creature he now knew was his younger brother.  

"Didi. Nice!" he said.