Silver Spoon

I wasn’t born with one in my mouth but many of my friends and some of my family (India is a long way away and unfortunately, not everyone could join us) came together last Saturday to make up for that. What was the occasion, you say? It was my ‘Annaprashan’- a Bengali rite of passage marking a baby’s first solid feed. For this special first feed, Dida gave me a beautiful set of silver dishes she had had inscribed in Calcutta, one of which was a delicately crafted tumbler which had belonged to her as a child. She also brought me elegantly embroidered traditional Indian clothes to wear for my big day. And the proverbial silver spoon, of course, was a gift from Mashi, and very pretty it is, too.

The event started with my English family arriving just as I had got into the dashing day outfit sent by Shanta Mashi Dida. I was excited to see that even Great Grandad and Grandma and G. Aunty Nellie had made the trip for my special day! My friends trooped in before long and soon everyone was tucking into an array of dishes (almost as many as there were guests). The ceremony followed; a rice and milk mix was spooned up by one Grandma while I sat on the other’s lap. Flashbulbs popped as I wolfed it down to everyone's delight (I had been told the best food had been reserved for me but I have my doubts about that; Daddy’s lamb curry seemed to go down a storm).

With the spotlight squarely on me, Mommy brought ‘round a tray of pretty little objects symbolising different abilities and assets, e.g. a little silver palanquin for social status and a brightly covered book of Bengali tales for wisdom (and a few odds and ends they’d obviously just chucked in at random). I was supposed to pick three to show the path I'd take in later life (I think Mommy, Daddy and Dida made this up to give me a better shot at choosing the right objects, I’m reliably informed most babies just get the one chance)! Guess what I picked? A cricket ball for sporting ability, the clay pot signifying wealth and a miniature silver cart that stood for fancy wheels. I think the comparisons with Tendulkar are inevitable, don’t you? Right down to the Schumacher-gifted Ferrari that got stuck in Customs! Everyone was very happy for me; in fact, I hear Bilky Mashi is already planning her retirement.

The evening ended with fond farewells, a manly heart to heart with my friend Eddie, and an attempt by Mommy and Daddy to show off my prowess with the Jumperoo (I refused to perform however; my adventures in the Jumperoo is a secret I share with the tribes of the Amazon). When our guests had gone and the dust settled, I unwrapped my pile of presents from around the world to discover wonderful toys, books and clothes (although I must admit that the cardboard boxes are my favourite). All in all, it was the most perfect day and I’d like to thank everyone who attended (even in spirit) for making it so!