Our Prince Poem by NAYYAR SHABBIR AHMAD

18 month old Jaan looks on askance when our tenant on
returning from his office, hurries to his room without so much
as a backward glance.

Now, Jaan is used to notice. Plenty of it. So, he stares curiously
after him, half expecting the repentant man to return and do a
quick handstand.
I explain to Jaan that he oughtn’t to expect total devotion from
any and everyone - And, that only a select few of his overzealous
blood relatives were eager and willing to be enslaved by him.

He need only step into his Grandparents residence to see who
I’m alluding to:
Those who dropp important chores and run to him as soon as his
mother carries him in through the door; and, those who vie with
each other to attract his attention. After a few moments of this the
boy takes off in total confusion to get lost amongst his many toys
However, he’s hardly amongs’t them for more than a second
before his devoted fans have caught up with him.
His grandmother’s voice rings out, ‘Coo-ee, Jaan...! Coo-ee! ’
Jaan gives her a toothy grin.
‘Look at him...! Look! Look! ’
All of us do.
‘That front tooth. Its new. Isn’t it cute? ’
All of us agree enthusiastically.
His Great-Grandma who hadn’t noticed his teeth, says ‘Lets see? Lets see? ’
But, Jaan turns away stubbornly.
His Grand Father tries to humour him
His Aunt begins to sing, ‘twinkle, twinkle, little star! ”
The mite has had enough
He glare’s at her
The crush has been all too much
He rushes past her to his Mama
“That’s it! ” she announces as she scoops him up. ‘I’m taking him away.’
‘What? ’ the devoted exclaim in dismay.
“There are too many of you -” Jaan’s Mama explains “... pulling him in too many directions. It’s confusing.” She turns to her son.‘C’mon. Lets gather your things.’
His knick-knacks are gathered together by his disappointed kin.
‘Ta! Ta! , Jaan.’ they repeat brokenly as he leaves
He waves, ‘ta, ta, ’ enthusiastically, relieved to get some breathing
space.

As Jaans car disappears down the driveway his relatives return to their mundane chores dreaming of the day when he will visit them again.