The pelican school and the errant black-winged stilts

 January 16th 2026

I wandered along Greenways road, skirting the wall of the Semmozhi Poonga.

I walked into the Quibble Island Cemetery.  Many families were paying their respects to the departed.  I admired the large trees there - there is a Silk Cotton, several tamarind and neem trees.  Flowering plants here and there.

Morning walks always bring some surprises and the flowering delights are on my substack here.  I went on to my favourite spot, spying on the backwaters through the fence.  

I watched with amusement as the Pelican Principal ticked off the errant black-winged stilts, all lined up in front of her.  I wondered what was their misdemanour?

One "upstanding" grey heron student reminded me of Hermione.  Must have been the star fisher of the day.

The pond heron had clearly not done her homework and she sat stock still, hoping to go unnoticed.

The staff room was abuzz with gossip, 

The school inspector was on the prowl.... one had to be on guard.

The Principal's mongoose secretary was playing hooky, hiding in the undergrowth.  She was definitely in big trouble!

And so I chuckled, delighting in my own anthropomorphic imaginations on what was a regular morning at the backwater.

Let me end with this final bit of anthropomorphism - a sulky maatu pongal bull, not amused at the sartorial tastes of his human "parent".