March 29. “Button, I distinctly saw you talking to that crow outside the study window.

At one point, I even heard you singing! What exactly were you doing?”

“Paddy, that’s the crow’s name and I were playing Antakshari.”

“Really? Whose idea was it?”

“Paddy’s.”

“Did Paddy start the game? Which song was it?”

“Dum maro dum, mit gaye hum, bolo subha shyam, Hare Krishna Hare Ram…”

“To which I sang—

Meet na mila re man ka
Koi to milan ka koi to milan ka
Karo re upaaye
Re meet na mila re man ka
Meet na mila re...”

Your turn, Paddy. You have to sing a song beginning with e.”

“Eena meena Dika, Daai, Daamo nika
Maaka naaka naaka, chika pika rika
Ina meena dika dika de daai daamo nika
Maaka naaka maaka naaka chika pika rola rika
Rumpum posh rumpum posh.”

“This is exciting. Shall we continue with the game tomorrow?”

“Sure.”