This is the last Wednesday of November, a month that marked major changes in my family.

Change is always disruptive be it for the better or worse. Yes, even good tidings mean adjustments to the change that they bring. While a change for the good is any day better than a change for the worse, one cannot choose what the change can be. But one can definitely decide how to react to the change. The choice that one makes determines one’s destiny even though one’s destiny itself is pre-determined.

This thought was reiterated in Gen Cardozo’s book ‘Cartoos Saab’ that I stumbled upon at Crossword. Always intrigued by the story of a mn who chopped off his own injured leg, I succumbed to the temptation of flicking through the book. And within pages, I was hooked . This book deals with more than that. It is the story of a young man who shows exemplary courage in standing up for his beliefs in a system that demands unquestioning obedience. It is the story of that rare breed of Gentlemen Officer that is unknown to many. It is also a brief introduction to modern Indian military history. It is that rare biography that is crisp, entertaining and informative. I particularly found many names that were familiar, names and places that took me back to the days of my childhood. And finally, it is an inspiring story of how to deal with change.

Going to Crosswords itself was a lucky chance.

My intention of walking out in the mid day sun was to scour the nearby shops for suitable gifts for the Little Ones. Now that Diwali is over and the Christmas season is upon us, our Little Ones will be joined by cousins from overseas and in January we will have four little girls running around the place whenever they come to visit. So it is always handy to have gifts picked out and packed well before the children actually come because last-minute shopping never really works.

I went to my regular shop Funskool, a tiny little shop across the road which somehow has the pulse of the market. Oftentimes I get the best toys at the best price from this hole-in-the-wall. Buying gifts these days is difficult simply because of the innumerable choices. You can buy cheap gifts, expensive gifts, crafty gifts, playful gifts, gag gifts, useful gifts and the list goes on and on.

To make gifting for children easier, I have a simple list of what not to gift.

1. CRAFTY gifts or DIY Kits: These are an absolute NONO. No matter how clear the instructions and how easy the execution. Most little fingers need the help of Big fingers that also have an unlimited supply of patience.
2. CLOTHES: Mothers these days are very fussy and particular about what their children are wearing and it is pointless to give clothes that do not fit in their scheme of things.
3. SOFT TOYS & GAG TOYS: These are dust collectors or potential destroyers of peace of mind and property. A case in point is SLIME.
4. BOOKS THAT ARE CURRENTLY POPULAR AMONG YOUNG READERS BOOKS. I find most modern books for little kids extremely unsuitable. For instance, the series of books called ‘The Trouble with DAISY …’ which is supposedly funny actually makes little girls into little whiners. Daisy is NEVER wrong and little readers soon learn to shift responsibility for their actions to someone or something else. Another series of books for boys about a boy called TOM GATES, the adventures of a little boy who I find more obnoxious than naughty is equally subversive. So you are left with books about mice and dogs and other animals ( Geronimo Stilton for example). Or then badly written books on Indian mythology ……

But I still find gifting a book far more rewarding than gifting a toy so when I went to Crossword, I quickly gravitated towards the books and ……I was attracted by the title “Cartoos Saab’.

Believe it or not, I actually read the entire book in the bookshop over the two hours I spent there. Finally, I came away with a copy which I thought would be a fitting Christmas gift for Wow Dinga who is all into superheroes in real life. I know the book is slightly difficult for him but apart from the Military jargon with which he will need a little help, its simple language and stories of derring-do will definitely appeal to him.

So if you are looking for a Christmas gift do hop across to Amazon or the local bookstore and buy this book. I assure you it is a book worth keeping if you are interested in military history and stories of courage.

And as for the changes that December will bring – embrace them however unwelcome they may be.

“Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”William Jennings Bryan AMERICAN POLITICIAN

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Have a good rest of the week!

Ciao,