Of dry maple leaves and a signboard

There is something about those dry,brown maple leaves,blowing lazily over immaculately mowed green lawns bathed in soft sunlight a sight that has become a symbol of serenity.

There is something about those dry,brown maple leaves,blowing lazily over immaculately mowed green lawns bathed in soft sunlight a sight that has become a symbol of serenity. Ad men as well as film makers Yash Raj Films,primarily have fully exploited this backdrop to sell a broad range of products from real estate to mushy flicks. At Nottingham,on the bank of river Trent,I finally saw the scenic frame that,for me,existed only on movie posters and on the back covers of glossy magazines.

It also helped me crack another puzzle. Now I know the cut-and-paste secret of those dubious builders who,thanks to Photoshop,use this picture-postcard scenery as a backdrop to their projects in India. They dont just promise maple leaves and meadows in Noida or Virar,but also big oak trees with hammocks and park benches occupied by what look like happy Caucasian families.

With just a busy traffic junction separating the venue that hosted the exhausting and eventful second Test where former players in the commentary box fought more bitterly than the active ones on the field evenings on the steps of the river bank were a big relief. The hospitable houseboat dwellers,smiling cyclists and families with picnic baskets helped in getting over controversial tweets and decisions that won hearts but lost the game.

In these idyllic settings,it was easy to overlook an interesting sign board,close to where several ducks swam to the shore,climbed the steps to have just like the locals an early 7 oclock supper. It brought a smile to the refreshed face.

The text on the board started with a warning: Please dont harm the wildlife by feeding them. Thats normal; we have all seen that before. But it got interesting thereafter: Feeding bread and other human food to geese,ducks,pigeons and other wild life is harmful to them as it is not their natural diet. Then it started getting funny. Eating unsuitable food causes animals to suffer digestive problems.

And then came the punchline: Droppings on banks and paths makes them slippery. Besides,animal droppings around those dry maple leaves might not make for a great sight,or smell.