I thank God for small mercies. I still hear tiny birds chirping, crows cawing and squirrels screeching early in the morning when I wake up. I look through the window and see a squirrel gnawing at an unripe pomegranate in the garden. I smile to myself and feel happy that we are still left with a few pleasant things in the mornings. I enter the kitchen, pick up the bin with the "wet garbage" and leave it outside the gate.

I pick up the morning newspaper and glance at the headlines. No, I shall not go deep into the text. It will spoil my day. I would like to search for some positive news items at leisure to keep myself engaged. I discard the paper as I am in a happy frame of mind and do not want to get down to reading negative happenings in the country.

I am reminded of the garbage bin that I had left outside. I go out and peep. Oh! That’s nice. The garbage has been cleared and my empty bin is back on the footpath. I pick it up and come in.

I go to the bathroom to have a bath. Yes. Today is one of the days when we will get water directly. I need to hurry up and water the garden as the water will stop within an hour. I go to the garden, take the hose and water the garden. Good, we are entitled to our supply of water at least on alternate days. How long this ‘boon’ will be bestowed upon us, God knows! I get back to the kitchen and engage myself in preparing breakfast and lunch. I once again smile to myself as there is no ‘power-cut’ and I can grind my chutney in the mixer.

I hear the gate creaking. My domestic worker has arrived. That is another welcoming event of the day. I can relax with my computer. I let her do her morning chores, pick up a bag and go for vegetables. The pourakarmika is sweeping the road. I smile at her and she smiles back… She tells me that she received her salary that was due for three months. That makes me feel nice again. While crossing the road to the other side, I am compelled to glance at the corner of the road to see if the garbage mound has been removed. Yes! It has been taken away. I feel elated.

I buy a few vegetables and feel really happy that some of the prices have come down. Peas and carrots seem cheap. Cauliflowers look healthy. I go round the tank for a walk and a number of pigeons flutter across. Two little children from a low income family come running to me to tell me that they got enrolled in the school where I had taken them along with their mother some months ago. They say that they got their books and uniforms too! What more do I want to make myself happy? The day seems perfect.

These are the small mercies that make life worth living!