Xing Tom-Adventure Series
Xing Tom is almost close to that Chocolate vending machine. It looked gigantic and standing tall. In front of it he found himself like a dwarf. The very idea of chocolates made his mouth watered like an overflowing tap. His dad often used to say not to eat more chocolates. Though the advice seems to be well, he could hardly resist the temptation. Now he is much closer to a machine that could offer variety of chocolates and how he is expected to control his desire! He took one step towards the chocolate vending machine with the coin in his hand to insert; he was startled to find the machine started growing upward. Is it true, he couldn’t believe himself? Wearing a mask of courage in his face he advanced towards the machine and inserted the coin, and looked at the slot where he could get the chocolates. Nothing came, paused for a moment he just hit on the slot of the machine. Suddenly there was a thunder like sound and he was about to run. To his surprise, he found the machine started pouring the worlds best chocolates 10, 20, 30 ………………………‘My God the chocolates pouring like a mountain, and I don’t have even a bag to carry this’ Xing Tom shouted and woke up from his dream. Yes, it’s yet another dream and he is verily disappointed to understand that the same is not real.
‘Hi Tom’ his Dad whispered in his ear ‘don’t go anywhere, to-day we must visit Marina Beach, one of the best beaches in the world‘, he just told and vanished. Xing Tom got up from his bed lazily, though disappointed about his chocolate dream; he decided to get a chocolate Ice cream today by asking his Dad.
A white Scorpio was waiting for them. ‘It’s a nice vehicle’ Xing Tom told himself. The local man who is also a guide sat at the driver seat and fastened the seat belt. Xing Tom, his sister, dad and mum all got inside the vehicle Scorpio to find the nice interior and felt the good A/C inside. The vehicle at first started crawling in the traffic, when it reached the main road, the driver started speeding the Scorpio towards the Marina Beach.
At the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream parlor Xing Tom tasted his favorite and delicious ice cream, scoop after scoop, until he thought enough for him. His Dad though little tensed ‘cause it not only cost the money but the valuable time too as they must rush to the Marina Beach before it becomes dark. As Xing Tom finished tasting his ice cream, all got up and went out of the parlor.
It was quarter past five in the evening. The driver cum guide parked the Scorpio and they all came out of the vehicle with great relief. A long Beach with blue sea and lot of people over there as it was a Sunday evening. Many families, with their kids standing there watching, talking, bargaining and shouting near the temporary shops at the entrance of the Beach. Xing Tom and his sister Sara were delighted to see the Beach. They all started walking on the sand and soon found it was nice to walk at the beach where the air was good, away from city pollution as the sound of the waves amused them.
Xing Tom and Sara suddenly started shouting and rushing towards the shore of the beach to find the dancing waves. They both standing to make their feet wet by the smaller waves, while Peter and Roslyn were sitting on the sand nearby and watching the fun. They were so happy to understand that their kids are really enjoying the Chennai’s favorite landmark the Marina Beach. As Peter and Roslyn stood on their feet to feel the warmth of the waves, Xing Tom went to the sand area to build the castles. As the sand was wet, building a castle on the wet sand was a child’s play for him.
Xing Tom this time made up his mind just to enjoy his holiday fully and not to get into any sort of adventure as he really needed a break the way James Bond used to take a break after the adventurous tasks. One must always enjoy the life to the fullest, he thought. Few kids were playing with the kites and it was spectacular to see.
Xing Tom found a local man coming nearby along with his horse, which was smaller than the life size. It looked odd as the horse was with out saddle. The local guy, who was poor in look, was just holding the rope to prevent the horse from running. As a matter of fact the horse was much poorer than the horseman as such Xing Tom never had the inclination to ride on it. He brought the horse nearer to Xing Tom and asked him whether he could come for a ride. At a distance Xing Tom found a young girl, just older than his age was staring at him. The excited Xing Tom all of a sudden accepted the plea of the horseman to go for a ride. Wearing a pride on his face and with the help of the horse man Xing Tom some how managed to sit on the horseback. And the horse started moving slowly.
After ten feet from where they started, the horse suddenly stopped and refused to move further. The horseman, who was standing besides, did all his best, threatened, begged and pleaded but the horse was grim on its stance. The annoyed horseman just hit hard through his hand at the left side and suddenly horse moved fast. The man was running behind the horse while Xing Tom closed his eyes and clinched the neck of the horse so tight. Though tame by appearance, the horse started speeding up like a race horse, and Xing Tom didn’t know how to tackle this unexpected adventure at the beach.
Xing Tom lifted his head slightly and found the horse was riding amidst the heavy city traffic. Yes, they are in the main city and he wished it could be a dream and found it was not! The pictures of his dad mum and Sara came in front of his eyes like a theater slide.
Peter and Roslyn were explaining the local police man about the incident and asked him to check the whereabouts of his son Xing Tom. At a distance Sara was standing and looking at them casually, eating the ground nuts without showing any sign of worry on her face. The local police man was really confused and doesn’t know what next to do. How any one can ever arrest a horse for kidnapping a boy, he thought.
A Sergeant with white uniforms suddenly appeared in front of them. After the preliminary inquiry he increased the speed of his powerful motorbike to the maximum and vanished in the air.
Xing Tom almost saw the various places of Chennai, with the help of this horse which has declined to reduce its speed. Of course, he even saw the hotel where he was residing but of no use as the horse is very adamant on its stride. Suddenly there was a big sound of a Motorcycle and Xing Tom somehow managed to look behind. It was the Sergeant in white uniform hurriedly came closer to the horse and just held the rope of the horse with all his might in one hand and managed the motorbike on his other hand.
At last the horse only obeyed the Sergeant and finally Xing Tom breathed with great relief. It is really a terrible adventure, Xing tom thought. When this news was conveyed to Peter and Roslyn they too sighed with relief. We must always teach horse riding even to smaller kids, this thought of wisdom suddenly occurred in the mind of Peter.
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