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"Swami..." began Parvati with a quaver in her voice "Swami, Vinayak needs to be admitted in a school..."
Mahadev shut his eyes "God...we are gonna have to get a school admission? I would rather swallow another pot of poison...I would rather have Bhasmasur put his hand on me... But to scout schools for a Kindergarden admission...Parvati - somethings are impossible even for Gods"
Both Mahadev and Parvati were plunged deep in thought. This situation was new to them since Kartikeya's childhood had been handled by the Kritiika sisters who had home-tutored him and Ashok Sundari's interest had only been in matrimony.
But Pavati was a woman of action. She remembered that Mrs Kuber too had twin daughters- RIddhi and Siddhi-nearly the same age as Vinayak, so surely she must be knowing something.
A little while later Parvati returned to Kailash armed with a big white book. The cover read "My First Book of Mytho Nursery Rhymes"
Parvati seated Ganesh beside her and opening to the first page began reading aloud:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Moon
How I wonder when you bloom
Perched on Daddy's head so high
Like a Ladoo in the sky
Parvati beamed. "That was easy, wasn't it Vinayak ? Now read the next one"
Hickory Dickory Dock
The mouse ran across the block
The mouse wanted a ladoo
Mother gave him two
Hickory Dickory dock.
Parvati breathed easy. Things may not be so difficult after all. She turned the page and began reading the next poem:
Moo Moo Mahishasur's buffalo
Have you any milk?
Yes sir, Yes sir, three pails pink
One for Mahadev, One for Parvati
And one for the little boy
With face like a Haathi
Shiva's voice cut across the room "Parvati- Which idiot has written these nonsensical verses and why are you teaching him all these?"
Parvati replied "This is the new syllabus Swami. Apparently the kid has to know at least 10 poems, number counting till 10 , be able to understand at least two languages to even qualify for the interview. Mrs Kuber has already taught her daughters simple addition." Parvati began to despair.
Shiva leaned forward and picked up the rhymes book and began reading aloud the next one
Shumbh-Nishumbha sat on a wall
Shumbha Nishumbha heard a wild call
Not all of Durga-Ma's lions or Durga-Ma's women
Could bring Shumbh Nishumbh back again
Shiva began to laugh. Parvati got up and instructed the ganas that the next ten days should be spent in helping Vinayak memorize all the poems.
The Ganas started wondering if they could escape to Vaikunth till Vinayaka's admission was over.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
