Essays

Last week, I happened to visit Kotla which is a small village near Bareilly. My uncle who lives there had invited me.

It was my good luck that I reached the village when a famous local village fair was to be held the next day.

My uncle took me to the fair. It was being held just at the outskirts of the village. It covered an area of a few acres of land.

We heard noises of vendors and visitors quite a few metres before we reached the fair. As we reached closer and closer to the fair the noises were heard louder and louder.

We saw at the fair a great many makeshift shops and kiosks. There were all kinds of shops such as toy shops, cosmetics shops, jewellery shops, cassettes shops, general merchants shops and so many others. The greatest rush was seen at the sweet shops and small-time eateries.

Everywhere the village men and women with their children, all clad in gorgeous clothes were moving to and fro, some of them eating sweets or buns.

Others were taking snacks with tea. Cold drinks were in great demand. Young girls were buying colorful glass bangles. Children were pressing their parents to buy them toys.

In one corner, a snake-charmer was playing his flute while a black cobra was dancing in front of him. A large number of people gathered around him, were watching the cobra dance. In another corner a juggler was showing his tricks.

There were some other spots which attracted people's attraction. At one place there were going on lucky games. At another place wrestling bouts were being held. At yet another place, an as trologer was telling the people about their fate. I was very happy. I took a cold drink. Then I bought a teddy bear and we returned home. I was bubbling with joy.