Anushka and Saya Went to a Farm - Part 2

Anushka and Saya Went to a Farm

Part 2

Anushka, Saya & Friends having unch

Now, when Anushka, Saya, Chick and all their friends were just feeling hungry, Mommy called all of them. “Come on! It is time for lunch. All is ready.”

All were very hungry. Daddy had spread a big mat under a big banyan tree and they all sat for lunch. Mommy had brought many eatables for lunch. They ate sandwiches, patties, cutlets, Chakali, Chiwada, Karanjya, Kadaboli, popcorn, cakes and Fruit. There was corn for chick and corn and carrots for fawn, sheep and calf.

Lunch

Everyone was very happy and soon they all slept under the tree.

After lunch they relaxed under the banyan tree. Everybody was drowsy. It was a very nice and calm afternoon. It was cool in the shade and there was cool breeze. Shadows of leaves were moving slowly on the grass. Saya wanted to catch them but only few bits of grass leaves came in her hands. When Anushka and Saya lied down the shadows were wandering on their bodies. Through the leaves above few sunrays started to play with their eyes. So they closed them. Few birds were chirping on a distant tree. They could hear a soft ‘Jhul-Jhul’ sound of flowing water in the nearby stream. They could also hear a softer sound of flowing wind. They felt relaxed and it was so tranquil that soon the fell asleep.

Afternoon Nap

Chick was also tired. It slept between Anushka and Saya. Soon fawn, calf, gosling, all were sleeping.  

Anushka woke up first after half an hour. Then all woke up one by one. They all felt fresh and enthusiastic after short post lunch nap.

Chick jumped with enthusiasm and said, “Let’s go to see the farm.”

“Yes, Let’s go.” Anushka said.

Going to Farm

All helped Mommy and Aunty to clean and tidy and then they all went to see the farm. Now Mommy, Daddy and John uncle were also with them. 

First they went to see apple farm. They saw apple trees. Anushka and Saya were expecting lots of big, red apples on the tree. But there were none. 

“Oh. There are no apples. Only the trees.” Saya said with disappointment.    

“See, here are they.” Daddy said. “They are very small and green now.”

“Oh, Yes! Very tiny and green like grapes; and so many. So cute.” Anushka said.

“Still 3 months for them to grow big and red. They will be ready in September.” Daddy said.

“Will you come then? We will have lots of fun.” asked Chick.

“Oh! We would like to. But our school will start then.”

“But we can come on weekend, if John uncle gives permission.”

“Yes, of course! You are most welcome.” John uncle said.

“Can we pick apples at that time?”

“Yes. You can pick and eat also.” 

  

Then they came to a large farm-bed with raised rows of earth covered with Black plastic sheets. Many seedlings were coming out of small holes in that plastic covering.

“Oh! Why these plants are covered? Are they feeling cold?” Saya asked.

“No. the sheet is for protection.” John uncle said.

“What are they?”

“Don’t you know? They are strawberry plants.”

Strawberry Seedlings

Strawberry Seedlings

"I am seeing them for the first time.” Anushka said.

“They are very small now. They will grow and then have small white flowers. Then there will be small green strawberries. Then they will turn white and then orange-red.” Chick said.

“Strawberry color!” Saya said.

“When can we see them?”

“In September you may see green strawberries. But for strawberry-picking you will have to come in December.”

“Daddy, can we plant them in our garden?”

“Okay.” Daddy said. “Ask your Mommy.”

“If you are going to do watering the plants and all other things. I have no objection.” Mommy said.  

Now they heard a loud sound ‘Ckluk-Ckluk, Ckluk-Ckluk, Ckluk-Ckluk,’ that was a coop with many hens and many small chicks. It was Chick’s home. Our Chick had grown up now but these chicks were very small. It seemed as if they were born just now, Anushka remembered seeing our Chick in the school, just after it came out of the egg.

“I want one chick. I want to play with it.” Saya said.

But Mommy said, “Saya, it is very small and delicate. Just like a newborn baby. It will get hurt if you touch it. You can see it from distance.”

"Okay.” Saya said.

“This Chick was also that much small when I saw it first in the school.” Anushka said. “You want this one to sit on your palm?”

“Hum-Hum!”

Chick on Saya's Palm

Chick jumped from Anushka’s palm to Saya’s Palm.

“Oh! It’s tingling”

“Don’t be afraid. Touch me.” Chick said.

“But be very gentle.” Anushka said.

“It is so soft!” Saya exclaimed very excitedly.

When they went ahead, they saw a tall and thick green grass in the distance and an empty bed of field. They saw, one uncle was doing something.

“What is that tall grass?” Anushka asked.

"Oh! That’s Sugarcane. It’s a type of grass, anyway. That is not fully grown now. In January you can have sugarcane juice and you can eat it also if your teeth are strong.” John uncle said.

In the Farm

“Why this field is empty? And what’s that uncle doing?”

 “This field is prepared for corn. That uncle is sowing corn seeds.”

“I want to eat corn now.” Saya said.

“It’s not possible.” Mommy said. "The uncle is sowing seeds now. Seedlings will come out after some days, they will grow for few months, then small ears will appear and will grow. We will have to wait for few months.”

“You will have to wait till September.” Uncle in the field said.

“Anushka and Saya, will you come again in September?” John uncle asked. “You will be able to see and eat many things – strawberries, oranges, Apples, corn, …” 

With  expectation, Anushka and Saya saw at Daddy and Mommy.

“Ammm … Okay! Your schools will start in September. But we can come on some weekend. Will it be okay with you, Mr. John?”

“Yes. You are most welcome.”

“Heeeey!” Anushka and Saya Shouted with excitement.

“Heeeey, we will meet again. We will have lot of fun at that time.” Chick and other friends shouted.

"But not only fun. We will help John uncle and aunty in all their daily activities in the farm.” Mommy said.

"That’s fine. You can stay for whole day, see all the activities and help me. There are always lots of things to do in the farm.” John uncle said.  

Anushka and Saya were very happy. Chick and friends were also happy.

“But don’t bring your lunch with you. It will be our pleasure if you have lunch with us.” Aunty said.

So it was decided. All would meet on 2^nd or 3^rd weekend in September; stay for whole day; help John uncle; pick and eat strawberries, oranges and apples; roast corns and eat them and have lunch at the farm with John uncle, his family and Chick and their friends.

Bye Bye

Now it was evening. They were very reluctant but they had to go home. So they bid farewell and went home. They had dinner. Anushka and Saya were so contented, happy and tired that they were drowsy and half asleep. So Mommy had to spoon-feed them.

Next day Anushka made a painting of John uncles farm, chick and all other friends. And Saya spent the day telling stories of farm, chick, calf, fawn and gosling to her friend Pepa Pig.     

End of Part 2

A Story told by Sulu Aaji

Illustrated by Rajan Aaba

Anushka and Saya Went to a Farm - Part 1

Anushka and Saya Went to a Farm

Part 1

It was last week of June. Anushka was having her summer holidays. She was spending her time by drawing pictures, playing synthesizer, reading books and playing with Saya.

Saya was playing on the swing, see-saw, and slide. She was also watering many flower plants and watermelon plant. But while watering the plants she spent most of the time turning the pipe towards her and playing in the water. At other times she was busy helping (? Messing around) her Mom and doing ‘Bhun-Bhun’. But she always spent some time teasing and disturbing Anushka. She took immense pleasure in doing that.    

One day Daddy came from office. It was Friday. He called them and said, “Tomorrow we are going to a farm for picnic. So be ready early in the morning. We are going to meet the chick on the farm.”

Anushka and Saya were so happy that they began to jump on the bed. Anushka had promised the Chick that she will come to the farm to meet him and she will also bring Saya with her. They were so excited that they had no attention to what they were eating for dinner. 

So Mommy told them, if they wanted to go to the farm, they should get up early. So they should first have dinner properly, sleep early and get up early. So, that day, Anushka and Saya went to bed early.

Next day they got up early in the morning and got ready for the picnic. Mommy took a basket with her. The basket was full of apples, oranges, bananas, snacks, Pharalache padarth – फराळाचे पदार्थ (Chakali, Kadaboli, Chiwada and Karanjya – चकली, कडबोळी, चिवडा आणि करंज्या) and some sandwiches with tomatoes, carrots and cheese. There was a nice soft cake and some crispy cookies too. Some of these things were the gifts for the farm-owner Mr. John uncle and his wife and some were for them for breakfast and lunch. Mommy also brought some corns and carrots for the chicks and other animals on the farm.

It was a fine and warm sunny morning. They went outside the city and now the road was going through countryside. Sometimes they went through a jungle. There was also a small ghat also with winding road going up and then down a small hill. Some part of the road was alongside a river. All were very happy to be in the countryside.

They had light breakfast during the journey. So now they were fresh, full of energy, enthusiastic and excited.

When they reached the farm, Anushka and Saya jumped from the car and began to run. But Daddy called them, “Wait, wait for a minute. I have brought your cycles with us. So go on your cycles.” There was Bicycle for Anushka and tricycle for Saya. So they rode on them and went to the farm very fast. 

 Suddenly Anushka heard a sound. “Hi Anushka, Hi Saya!” And oh! It was the Chick calling them from his coop. The chick was so happy to see them that it was jumping and trying to fly. Anushka and Saya went to its house. But Anushka couldn’t recognize the chick first. Now it was not so small. It was grown up, was bigger in size and had small delicate wings. But she recognized it. 

The Chick ran fast and jumped on the handle of the cycle. “Welcome to the farm!” It cried out loudly. “I am very happy. Now let’s meet my friends on the farm.” There were many other chicks and there was their mother, the Big Fat Hen, also.

“Ok. But first we will meet Mr. John uncle.” Anushka said.

“Hi! Welcome to the farm. How are you?” Uncle John asked.  

“Fine, thank you.” Anushka said. “I have come with my little sister Saya."

"Hi Saya. good to see you. How are you?”

“Fine, thank you uncle.” Saya said.  

“And these are my parents. My Daddy and Mommy.”

“Hallo, good morning.” Daddy and Mommy said.

“Good morning. Welcome!” Uncle John Said.

"Can we go to visit your farm?" Anushka asked.

"Yes, of course. I will tell somebody to show you around."

"This Chick will show us. Okay, Chick let’s go to visit the farm."

Mommy and Daddy offered the presents brought with them to Mr. John and his wife. Then they went to the farm house with Uncle John.

Anushka and Saya went to see the farm.

There was a small puppy. It came running to them and joined them His name was ‘Motya’. There was a small kitten also, named ‘Kittu’. It was sitting on the top of Haystack. But it just sat there watching them. The chick, Anushka and Saya had to request it to come with them. So it joined them reluctantly.

There was a big cow shed near the coop. Many cows were grazing. A small calf was running in the shade. It was brown with white face and white spots. The chick called the calf and introduced him to Anushka and Saya. Saya was seeing a calf for the first time. So she was very excited while watching it. She touched it gently. It had very soft skin. When the calf learnt that they were going to meet all their friends, it asked if he could join them. Anushka told it to get it’s Mommy-cow’s permission. When Mommy-cow gave permission, the calf started jumping happily, came running and joined them.

After that they reached to a nice little house. It was a house of goose. Some geese were swimming in a small pond with their goslings. The chick called one gosling. It was a yellow fluffy gosling. It came near and was very happy to see all friends. It also joined them.

When they were going through a farm they saw one fawn eating green grass with its Mommy deer. It came running towards them and joined then.

Saya heard a sound, “banban banban”. She was surprised because she had never heard the sound before. She asked Anushka Didi about that. Anushka began to laugh. It was a call of a small black sheep. The sheep was calling them. It also wanted to go with them. Saya was very happy to see the real sheep. She ran her fingers through its thick and soft wool. Before that she saw the sheep only in the book and new it from the poem ‘Ba Ba Black sheep …’

Suddenly the gosling had an idea. He told them that he knew a beautiful pond nearby. If they wanted to swim, they could go there. Everyone liked the idea. Anushka and Saya had brought their swimming dresses with them. So, they asked Mommy’s permission and they all went to swim.

It was such a lovely pond.  There was a little waterfall near the pond. When the gosling saw the water it jumped quickly in it. Two geese and few other goslings were already swimming in the pond. So Anushka also jumped in the water and started to swim. 

But Saya was afraid and did not want to swim. But her Anhshka Didi held her hand and said, “Don’t be afraid Saya. The pond is shallow and I am with you. It’s a lot of fun. So come with me.” Anushka showed Saya how to swim. Soon Saya could float on the water. She was very happy. All the friends jumped into the water and began to splash the water. Saya liked jumping in the water more than swimming. Once in the water she was not afraid now and she started jumping from more and more height. So Anushka Didi had to tell her that she should dive from height only after she learned to swim perfectly.

They felt very enthusiastic and at the same time very relaxed when they came out of the water.

It was a beautiful and perfect morning. Now, when they were just feeling hungry, Mommy called all of them. “Come on! It is time for lunch. All is ready.”

End of Part 1

A Story told by Sulu Aaji

Illustrated by Rajan Aaba

Anushka and Chick – Part 2

Anushka and Chick – Part 2

“Anushka, is this your school?” Chick asked. “Can you show it to us?”

“Okay chick! Let’s go to see the school.”

So Rosy, Urja, Shaurya, Ching, Akshay, all followed Anushka with other chicks to see the school.   

To see the school

First they went to Kindergarten. There were many small children and plenty of toys. Some children were playing with toys. Girls were playing with dolls and boys were playing with cars. But two boys were jumping from the table and one boy was swimming on the ground. One girl was sitting below the table. She said, it was her home and she was sitting there because it was raining outside. One girl was reading a book.

“Can she read?” chick asked.

“No. she is just looking at the pictures.” Anushka said.

Then they saw one boy crying. “Mommy, where is my mommy? I want to go to her.”

“See, there are so many toys here” the teacher was saying. “you can play with them. Why do you want to go to home?”

“I want my Mommy. I don’t like this school.”

“O’Oh! Look at this chick. It has also come to the school for the first time. In fact it has just come to this world also. But it is not crying.”   

Look at this chick

The boy couldn’t understand anything but he stopped crying and started looking at the chick.

The chick said, “hi, how are you?” and the boy smiled.

Then they went further and there was a boy who was sleeping under the bench.

Chick liked that class very much. Then they went to first grade. It was story time and teacher was telling a story. The chick wanted to hear the story, but there was no time. In the second grade the students were singing a poem and in the third grade the students were reciting the tables. They just peeped in the fourth grade class. But there was an exam going on.

So they went further to the drawing hall. Students were painting a picture of some flowers. But they were so excited to see all the chicks that everyone wanted to draw them.

Then they went to the library. There were many picture and story books. The chick was very excited to see those colorful books. He wanted to read them all. ---

“Wow! So many books but I cannot read. I am still a baby.” Chick said.

“No problem.” Anushka said. “You can see the picture books now. And I can read. I will read them loudly for you. Then, when you are grown up, you can read them. You can even write a book yourself.”

Chick in Pocket

Then they all went to Anushka’s class. Anushka saw that the chick was trembling with cold. She kept the chick in her warm coat pocket. On the first day in the world, the chick has seen a lot. He was so tired that immediately it fell asleep.          

When it was time to go home, Anushka went to her teacher and asked, “may I take the chick home? I want to show it to my sister Saya. she hasn’t seen a chick till now and she will be very excited.”

“But, just as you are going to your home, the chick also wants to go home, to it’s mom. Just now it is sleeping but when it will wake up, it will be very hungry.

May I take the chick home?

“But how can I show it to Saya.”

“You ask your daddy to take you all to the farm. You can go to the farm on weekend and spend all day there.” Teacher said.

“You are always welcome to our farm.” Uncle John said. 

Anushka was very happy. She clapped her hands and said, “Wow that’s a great idea.”

By that time the chick was awake. She handed it to Uncle John and said, “Bye bye chick. I will soon visit your farm with my little sister Saya.” 

Okay. I will be waiting. I will show you my friends. We all will play and will have fun.”

Then the chick went to it’s home with Uncle John and Anushka went to her home with her mom. She was very happy. All the way to her home, She was telling her experience very excitedly to her mom.   

Bye bye chick

- - -  Sulu Aaji

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Anushka and Chick - Part 1

Anushka and Chick - Part 1

Anushka started to go to school from Junior K. G. From the first day she always liked to go to school. She liked her teachers, she met new friends and she always had new experiences. She always learned something new from these experiences.

When Anushka was in the 1^st grade she had a very pleasant and unique experience.

One day she went to school by a school bus. She was going to her class when Shaurya came running to her.

“Anushka, Anushka, you know, today, one uncle has come from the farm and he is going to show us something wonderful. He has a box with him. I think he is a magician.”

Anushka and Shaurya ran to the classroom. It was circle time so all sat in an oval and waited eagerly. The teacher introduced Mr. John uncle. He was a farmer and he was carrying a box that looked different. He said, it was an incubator, a special type of box that maintains a desired temperature inside. 

Magic Box

“Is it a magic box?” Anushka asked.

“Umm!? Yes. But it does a different type of magic. It transforms a simple thing into a complex thing that has life. Let us see.” 

He opened the box and there were 12 eggs in it. He lifted one egg and passed it through the hands of all children. “Handle very carefully” he said. “Otherwise there will be another ‘Humpty-Dumpty’.” …

“Wow!” all whispered.

“So this is a simple egg. We will keep it here and wait for some time to see the magic.” 

Everybody was looking at the egg with big eyes to see the magic happen. After some time they heard a ‘Tuk Tuk’ noise. “Somebody is knocking from inside. Who is it?”

“Can I come out?” A soft voice came from inside.

“Yes, of course! Everybody is waiting.” Uncle John said. 

Chick coming out of Egg

There was a crack on the egg. The crack widened and slowly a yellow chick stepped out. It was very small, fluffy and cute.  Uncle John lifted it delicately and asked, “who wants to hold it?”

At first nobody was ready. Then Anushka came forward, slowly lifted her palm and said, “I am ready.”

“Hold it in both palms,” said uncle John and put the chick on her palms.

The chick was so soft and delicate that Anushka was frightened. The chick was also frightened. Then Anushka said, “Hi, Hallo chick. Don’t be frightened. I am Anushka.”

The chick moved on her palms and she felt a tingling sensation. “Hi. I am Chick.” 

Anushka - holding Chick in palms

“Good morning Chick. Welcome to this world. This is your first day in this world.” Anushka said.

“Have you seen the magic?” Uncle John asked.

“Yes! Yes!! How has it happened?” everybody shouted.

“Oh! Don’t shout. The chick is frightened.” Uncle John said.

“Uncle, please explain the magic.” Anushka said softly.

“The hen lays egg. It contains a tiny disc known as embryo that develops into a chick. This is surrounded by all essential food required for its growth. Inside the egg the embryo grows to form the chick. When the chick is sufficiently grown to survive in the outer world, it breaks the shell and comes out. This is known as hatching. For this development warmth is needed. You must have seen the hen, sitting in her nest, keeping all eggs warm under her wings.” 

“Yes. I have seen. And when we went near to see, she started shouting loudly like ‘Puk Puk Puk Pukaak Puk’.” Ching said. All started laughing.

“She wanted to protect the eggs. It takes 21 days to happen this magic of egg changing into a live chick.”
“How it happened here just now? Anushka asked.

“Because these eggs are 21 days old. Hen, the mother, has kept them under her wings for 21 days and I brought them here just now in this box.”

“Is that a special box?”

“Yes. It keeps the warmth, just like a thermos. It is known as an Incubator.”  

“And these eggs?”

“They will also hatch one by one. See, this other one is also coming out and this one is doing ‘Tuk-Tuk, may I come out?’”

“I will take it in my palms” Rosy said. Uncle John lifted that chick and kept it on Rosie’s palms. “Oh! It’s also moving.”

“All animals lay eggs?” Akshay asked.  

“No. For  example, you were born as a fully grown baby. Cats, dogs and cows etc. also don’t lay eggs. But birds, reptiles, frogs, fish, etc. and many other animals lay eggs.” Teacher said. 

By that time all chicks came out of shells and uncle John gave them to other students.

“So? How was the experience?” Uncle John asked.

“Oh! Thrilling!! Thank you uncle John.” Anushka said. “It was a magical experience. And you explained everything so well …”

“Anushka, is this your school?” Chick asked. “Can you show it to us?”

“Yes! Of course! Uncle John, can I take this chick to show our school?

“Yes. But be very gentle.”

 “Okay! Let’s go chick.”

And all went to see the school. 

Sulu Aaji

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पोटोबाची गोष्ट

पोटोबाची गोष्ट

Alimentary Tract

अन्न मार्ग

"अनुष्का भरभर जेव पाहू ..." अनुष्काची मम्मी अनुष्काला ओरडली. अनुष्काच्या टंगळ मंगळ करत जेवण्यावरून तिची चिडचिड झाली होती.

"हो. जेवते गं .. " अनुष्का म्हणाली, पण तिचे ते iPad वर गाणी, गोष्टी बघणे चालूच होते.

iPad वर बघण्याच्या नादात तिचे जेवणाकडे लक्षच नसायचे.

"अनुष्का, जर तू लवकर आणि छान जेवलीस तर मी तुला एक मस्त गोष्ट सांगीन...". आबा म्हणाले.

आबांचे हे आमिष बरोबर लागू पडले. आणि नवी गोष्ट ऐकण्याचा उत्सुकतेने अनुष्काने जेवण भरकन आटोपले आणि  ती आबांकडे येवून बसली.

"हं आबा, गोष्ट.. गोष्ट.. " अनुष्काचा लकडा चालू झाला ...

“मी पण गोष्ट ऐकणार” आबांच्या पाठीवर चढत साया म्हणाली. 

“बर बाई, ये बस अशी ... . मला सांग अनुष्का, तू जेवण्याचा असा कंटाळा का करतेस? तुला माहित आहे का, आपण का जेवतो?

"भूक लागते म्हणून, आबाऽऽ ... " अनुष्काला हसूच आवरले नाही ... हा काय आबांचा प्रश्न झाला?

“मी पण जेवते.” साया मधेच म्हणाली.

"अग हो..., पण भूक का लागते?”

"आपण खूप खेळतो नं, म्हणून... " किंचित विचार करून अनुष्का ने उत्तर दिले .

"अगदी बरोबर, आपण खेळतो, काम करतो, त्यासाठी एनर्जी (energy) खर्च होते. म्हणून आपली एनर्जी कमी होते. मग शरीर म्हणतं, आता मला काहीतरी करून ही एनर्जी परत मिळवायला हवी. त्याला माहिती असतं की एनर्जी अन्नात असते. म्हणून आता खायला हवं. मग आपल्या पोटात गुरगुर होते ... म्हणजे आपलं शरीर म्हणत असतं, अनुष्का मला खायला हवंय ... म्हणजेच आपल्याला भूक लागते. आणि हो, लहान मुलांना तर मोठं पण व्हायचं असतं, मग तर अजून अजून एनर्जी हवी असते नं... मग खूप भूक लागते." आबांनी माहिती पुरवली.. "ती एनर्जी मिळते त्या अन्नातून... त्या अन्नाचं पचन झाल्यावर ..."

"पचन म्हणजे काय, आबा?"

“पचन म्हणजे ... आता तुला कसं सांगू? ... हं. गुंतागुंतीचे, पाण्यात न विरघळणारे अन्नपदार्थ फोडून ते साध्या-सोप्या, पाण्यात विरघळणार्‍या कणांत बदलून टाकायचे.”

“म्हणजे मिक्सरमधून काढायचे?”

“मिक्सरमधे ते फक्त खूप बारीक होतील. पण पोळी मिक्सरमधे बारीक केली आणि त्यात पाणी घातलं तरी ती साखर किंवा मिठासारखी पाण्यात कशी विरघळेल?”

“पण पाण्यात का विरघळायला हवी?”

“म्हणजे ती रक्तात शोषली जाऊ शकेल.”

“पण रक्तात का शोषली जायला पाहिजे?”

“पुढे गोष्ट ऐक म्हणजे ते समजेल. ... तर ... पोळीसारख्या, उसळीसारख्या. भाजीसारख्या गुंतागुंतीच्या अन्नपदार्थांना वेगळ्या प्रकारानं फोडायचं, म्हणजे त्यांचे साखरेसारखे अगदी छोटे, साधे-सोपे, पाण्यात विरघळणारे कण बनतील. त्याला म्हणायचं पचन. हे वेगळ्या प्रकारानं फोडायचं काम करण्यासाठी शरीर वेगवेगळे पाचक रस (Digestive juices) तयार करतं.” 

“म्हणजे सगळ्या पदार्थांची साखर बनते?”

“मी साखर खाणार.” साया म्हणाली.   

“नाही. अगं, अन्नात वेगवेगळे घटक असतात ... ते  सर्व आपल्याला आवश्यक असतात. … आणि त्यांचे वेगवेगळे उपयोग असतात. ... अन्नघटकांची गोष्ट नंतर सांगीन. पण वेगवेगळे अन्नघटक फोडले की वेगवेगळे साधे पदार्थ बनतात. उदाहरणार्थ भात-पोळीसारखे पदार्थ फोडले की ग्लूकोज (Glucose) नावाच्या साखरेचे कण मिळतात. ... आणि वेगवेगळे अन्नघटक फोडण्यासाठी वेगवेगळे पाचक रस असतात. ...

“चिकनचं काय होतं?”

“डाळी-अंडी-चिकनसारखे पदार्थ फोडल्यावर अमीनो असीड्सचे कण मिळतात, तेल-तूप-लोणी असे पदार्थ फोडल्यावर फॅटी-असीड्सचे कण मिळतात. ...

अनुष्काला आता जरा जरा मजा यायला लागली होती ... “हे सगळं मजेशीरच आहे. अगदी जादुई. आणि या तोडफोडीचे काहीच आवाज येत नाहीत?” 

"नाही. कारण ती काही हातोडीनं करायची तोडफोड नाही. ते कण वेगळ्या प्रकारानं हळू हळू सुटे केले जातात. अनुष्का, तू अन्नाचा घास तोंडात घातल्यावर काय होतं माहित आहे ?...."

"काय होत?"

YAaa
यॅऽऽ

 "तुझे दात त्याचे बारीक बारीक तुकडे करतात. अगदी पीठच करून टाकतात म्हण की. म्हणजे तुला ते गिळायला सोप्पं जात.... तुझी जीभ पण ते करायला मदत करते ..   सारखा तो घास इकडून तिकडे, ह्या दाता खाली नाहीतर त्या दाता खाली ढकलून ..."

 "हो, खरंच की." अनुष्का गालातल्या गालात जीभ फिरवत म्हणाली. ..

"आणि, एवढंच नाही काही.... ती जीभच तुला सांगते की, तू खातेस ते गोड आहे, की आंबट की कडू ते, ... जीभ नसती तर आपल्याला काहीच चव कळली नसती."

“मग काय खाण्याची मजा?”

Oral Cavity & Pharynx

तोंडाची पोकळी व घसा

"शिवाय .., आपल्या तोंडात न त्याच वेळी, लाळ येते. लाळ हा एक पाचक रसच आहे. दातांचं काम मिक्सरसारंख पण पचनासाठी लाळ. लाळेमुळे घास पचायला मदत तर होतेच पण घास पातळ पण होतो आणि त्या घासाचा एक छानसा, लहानसा गोळा होतो आणि मग ... ती जीभ, तो गोळा देते ढकलून, घशात ..." आबा म्हणाले.

“मी पण घशात ढकलणार” साया म्हणाली.

"मग काय होतं आबा? तो पोटात जाऊन पडतो?"  अनुष्काची उत्सुकता वाढली... 

Oesophagus & Stomach
अन्ननलिका व जठर

"धप्पकन्‌ पडत नाही काही. तुझ्या घशापासून पोटापर्यंत एक नळी असते. त्या नळीला म्हणतात अन्ननलिका (food pipe). तिच्यातून तो घास अलगत जाऊन पडतो तुझ्या पोटात. ... पोट म्हणजे, पोटातल्या एका छोट्या पिशवीत... जठरामधे (Stomach) ... त्या पिशवीचं खालचं तोंड तात्पुरतं बंद असतं. ... तुझ्या जेवणातले ते सगळे घास तिथे तीन साडेतीन तास असतात ... तिथे जठराच्या हालचालीमुळे अन्न चांगलं घुसळलं जातं आणि जठरातले पाचक रस अन्नात चांगले मिसळतात. ... अन्नाचं अजून पचन होण्यासाठी...”

"मग?"

“साधारण तीन तासांनंतर जठराचं दुसरं तोंड उघडतं आणि आणखी पातळ झालेल्या आणि अर्धवट पचलेल्या अन्नाचा पुढच्या नळीत पुढचा प्रवास सुरु होतो. त्या नळीला म्हणतात लहान आतडं (Small intestine). ... आणि अनुष्का, तुला माहित आहे का की हे लहान आतडं किती लांब असतं ते ... २२ फूट ... म्हणजे तुझ्या हॉलच्या ह्या टोकापासून, त्या टोकापर्यंत..."

“अबबं! माझ्या या एवढ्याशा पोटात?"

“ते छान गुंडाळी करून ठेवलेलं असतं. ... शिवाय आपल्या पोटात जठराच्या वरती अजून एक यकृत (Liver - लिव्हर) नावाचा आणि जठराच्या मागे स्वादुपिंड (Pancreas - पॅन्क्रिआज्‌ ) नावाचा अवयव असतो ...”

"बाप रे! एवढं सगळं माझ्या पोटात असतं ?" अनुष्काचे डोळे आश्चर्याने विस्फारले ..

Small & Large Intestine

लहान व मोठे आतडे

"तर तर! ... सगळं छान जागच्या जागी लावून, आवरून ठेवलेलं असतं ... तू सगळ्या खेळण्यांचा घरभर पसारा घालून ठेवतेस तसं नाही काही.” आबा हसत म्हणाले.

“मग पुढं?”

“दोन्हीतूनही वेगवेगळे पाचक रस जठरातून लहान आतड्यात येणार्‍या अन्नात मिसळले जातात ... शिवाय लहान आतड्यातला पाचक रस असतोच... अन्नाचे अजून जास्त पचन होण्यासाठी."

“मग?”

"मग लहान आतड्याच्या पुढच्या भागात हे पचलेलं अन्न रक्तात शोषलं जातं ... मगाशी तू विचारलंस ना, अन्न रक्तात का शोषलं जायला पाहिजे?"  
"हो. का शोषलं जायला पाहिजे?" 
"तुला माहिती आहे की रक्त सगळ्या शरीरात फिरतं. त्यामुळे अन्नाचे हे कण रक्तातून संपूर्ण शरीरात, हात, पाय, डोकं कान डोळे, सगळीकडे पाठवता येतात, ... सगळ्यांची एनर्जीची, वाढीची, झीज भरून काढण्याची आणि इतर कामांची गरज भागवायला.”  

"हंऽऽ" 
"हंऽऽऽ" साया पण म्हणाली. 
"तोंडापासून सुरू होणारी लांबच लांब नळी आणि पाचक रस तयार केले जातात ते सर्व अवयव, त्या सगळ्यांना मिळून म्हणतात पचनसंस्था (Digestive System) … 

Digestive System

पचन संस्था

“हे सगळं एवढं मोठ्ठं काम व्हायला किती वर्षं लागतात?”

“वर्षं? छे छे! हा सगळा प्रवास आणि पचन-शोषणाचं काम व्हायला फक्त 1 दिवस लागतो."

“एवढाच? हुश्श! ... झालं सगळं काम.”

“हुश्श! ... झालं काम.” साया म्हणाली.

“अजून पुरं झालं नाही काही. काम झाल्यानंतर आवरासावरी आणि स्वच्छता करायला नको का? पचनाचं काम पूर्ण झाल्यावरही काही न पचलेला अन्नाचा भाग आणि इतर काही टाकाऊ गोष्टी शिल्लक राहिलेल्या असतात. त्या शरीराबाहेर टाकायला नकोत का?

“हंऽऽऽ! ...”

“शिवाय पचनासाठी इतके सगळे पाचक रस ओतले त्यातलं बरचसं पाणी शिल्लक राहिलेलं असतं. ते वाया घालवून कसं चालेल?”

“मग काय करायचं.”

“मग हे सगळं शिल्लक राहिलेलं पुढे एका रुंद नळीत शिरतं. ही 5 ते 5.5 फूट लांबीची नळी असते ... तिला मोठं आतडं (Large intestine ) म्हणतात.”

"मोठ्या आतड्यात काय होतं आबा?"

"तिथे त्यातलं बरचसं पाणी शोषून घेतलं जातं ... आणि ... उरलेला टाकाऊ भाग शेवटच्या टोकाशी साठवला जातो. ... आणि ऽऽऽ ... अशा दिवसभरातल्या सगळ्या जेवणांतले टाकाऊ भाग इथे साठून राहिले कीऽऽऽ ... ... "

"की काय?"

"की अनुष्का म्हणतेऽऽऽ ... मम्मी, मम्मी ... पॉटी आलेय..." 

“हा हा हा......” साया आणि आरवसकट सगळे हसायला लागले. आणि सगळे हसताहेत हे बघून ईवा आणि निवेदही हसायला लागले. 

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