Off The Cuff: A wry look at life

The world of make-believe. A world unfettered by rules or restrictions. One you can enter without benefit of passport, visa or sponsorship.

All you need is a rich imagination. To make a fascinating journey into this world. No hassles of endless phone calls to your travel agent only to find out at the last minute that you're still 14 on the waiting list.

There are various ways of entering this world. You can do so through a book. Escape into this world and vicariously experience the thrill and excitement of being there, privy to the protagonist's innermost thoughts, hopes and fears.

Or as you lie in bed waiting to succumb to sleep, tired of counting sheep who seem to have this unhappy knack of jumping too fast over the fences for you to keep track, let your mind wander. Into this world of your imagination. Think up various scenarios, impossible in real life, and enjoy being there.

An idle mind not a devil's workshop in this case but the means of travelling into hitherto unexplored worlds, giving you this sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, rarely achieved in real life.

Something children find so easy to do. You see small children talking to imaginary friends, having long animated conversations, completely oblivious to the presence of others. Being able to talk to a "friend" who understands their innermost thoughts and who empathises with them.

Or children who find the world of their story books much more exciting than real life. I remember one such child. As a five-year-old, she loved stories in which magical things happened in a magical world. Her naivete taken advantage of by an older sister. Who found her too gullible to be true.

One day, the five year old was taken to the 'box room' where all the empty trunks were stored. The elder sister flattering her by telling her that she was going to tell her a secret. But she was to cross her heart and hope to die if she ever told anyone else the secret.

The young girl couldn't believe her luck. Her elder sister telling her a secret which no one else would share. She made fervent promises, crossed her heart and hoped to die if she reneged on her promise.

And then came the revelation. The older sister told her a tale that made her eyes start out of their sockets in surprise. She (the older sister) was actually a princess. Of a world inhabited only by animals. Where sweets grew on trees. And where she ruled all with a gentle hand. This world was underground.

The little one couldn't mask her excitement. But scepticism reared its ugly head. She asked for proof. To be taken to that world. Only to be told she couldn't be taken there. Because only one human being was allowed there. The older sister.

Seeing the doubt in those trusting eyes, her imagination took flight. She told her little sister that perhaps she could do something. She told the trusting fool to lie down on the floor, face down. The instruction was carried out immediately. Then she lay down too, but with her face turned away from the younger one. Telling her captive audience to maintain absolute silence, she let the magic begin. Made soft animal sounds (she was a really good mimic).

The little one's excitement knew no bounds as she breathlessly whispered, I can hear them, I can hear them. And the magic went on a while longer. Until the older one ran out of breath.

Then she picked herself off from the floor. And gently brought the younger one back to reality. Seeing the awe on the little girl's face, she almost felt a sense of guilt. Almost.