Never miss a chance to enjoy nature in all her glory.One fine afternoon,suppose you step on to a terrace or balcony and marvel upon the unusual silence.With hardly any automotives on the road,the air is enlivened by the lively chirping of birds - robins,barbets,woodpeckers,parrots and several others you cannot spot.It is not very different from the early morning hours when the same winged creatures creep out of their nests and fill the air with their chatter.But now,you feel a difference - it is as if they are transmitting their carefree energy onto you.You look around,take it all in.Parallel homes,some flaunting similar patios,some not;birds flying or huddling together in the distance;leaves of the nearby neem tree swaying in a gentle breeze;a cat sauntering across the garden;a lone traveller walking on the street and pet dogs barking,issuing threats to strangers.A languidness evades you while looking at this relatively peaceful scene, of sleepy hours in a residential area.You look up.Ah,storm clouds are gathering.The scorched earth may finally be blessed with rain,the plant life blooming and blushing at the water's touch.it's almost sunset,the colours of the sky a combination of sunny yellow and blue-grey.The setting sun lends a beautiful lighting to everything around,benevolent even in farewell.Oh,the cows have been let out to graze.Suddenly,a bellow pierces the stillness and you immediately think of elephants running amok ,brushing away the stupid thought just as quickly as it occurred.It is probably cattle choking on plastic,after feeding on roadside waste,again. Frustrated yet unable to help,you turn just in time to spot the previously wandering cat now stationed in front of a house across the street.Looking after the scooter it is so intently staring at,or wondering at the grazing cow?None of our kind will ever know.Inane thought.Still,you are riveted to the animal,it being the only sign of life around,apart from the retreating birds,for the time being.The carnivore is startled when two men emerge out of the house,conversing loudly.So startled that it scampers into the next compound and disappears.There goes your further hope of an entertaining sight.You don't sigh long,though.The men alight the two wheeler and ride off down the road and when silence descends again,your four-legged friend returns,landing with remarkable ease from the wall separating the two buildings.He goes on to the next house,jumping atop the light furniture arranged up front.You wonder if he is going to recline,take a siesta of his own,in style.The thought makes you smile.But just as you sit there anticipating a rare spectacle,he sniffs around for a bit and moves on to the outer staircase.You blink,and he is gone.So much for having fun,observing nature on a cloudy evening.It was rewarding,nonetheless,but lightning announces the arrival of rain,and you finally notice the gathering darkness.The sun has all but disappeared,and so have the birds.Perhaps the rest of the evening would be better spent indoors,since you don't particularly like getting wet.Hot coffee and a good book will be your companions when it starts drizzling.Until next time,then.