The Peripatetic House

Once there was a boy named Ram he used to live with his mother Lakshmi, in Ooty near an idyllic hill station in the chilly, icy, cold climate. Every morning, Ram would wake up from bed, go to the living room, greet his mother good morning and then bathe in hot water. For breakfast he would eat hot vadas and drink some warm milk, then he would put on his woollen clothes, his jacket and his gloves and would go out for a stroll. This was his daily routine, until one day, he woke up and went to the living room and said good morning but his mother did not reply instead she was gawking outside the window in astonishment. Ram went to see what was so special and was bewildered to discover himself in a hot, burning, large desert. He pinched himself twice to see if he was in a dream or was it true. Alas, it was true. There were some locals around their house. Ram said he wanted to go play with the locals. They were very friendly. Ram and his new friends rolled on the sand, chased tumbleweeds, rode on camels, raced on pyramids and had a lot of fun. That night, Ram went to sleep happily, least expecting that the next morning he might be in a different place and may not have the same friends. His mother, however felt they would be in a different place, so she went to sleep in fear and worry. Next morning, mother decided not to look out of the house but Ram said he is going to play with his friends, he walked out and felt soft grass under his foot. He thought to himself from where did grass come in a desert, he looked around and saw that he was no more in a desert instead, he was in a forest. He ran inside in shock and told his mother animatedly, that they were in a forest. His mother looked a bit exasperated with all the traveling. Ram said he was going out for a walk. While he was walking, he saw an old wooden hut, he thought that this would be the right time to go on an escapade so he ventured into the hut. He saw…..