Author: Kanika G
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Tania Makes Trouble

By Kanika G

Edited and Inspired by Pell G

Copyright 2015 by Kanika G

Website:

www.kanikag.com

Tania Makes Trouble

One Wednesday afternoon, when Tania was back from school, Mama had some news for her. Mama was euphoric. She said "Tania, I got a job. I am going to write articles for a website."

"A job!" Tania was not pleased. "Are you going to go to office like Papa? Does this mean you won't be home when I am back from school?"

"No, Honey. That's the best thing about this job. I will be working from home. So I will be home when you come back from school."

"Are you sure they wont keep calling you to the office? Karishma's mother goes to work you know, but at least her grandma is home." Tania said ungraciously.

Mama said, "I am sure they wont Tania. I wouldn't go if they asked me to. I'd quit the job, if it meant leaving you alone."

Tania cheered up. She said, "Okay Mama. Hope you have fun with your job. Can I help?"

"I don't know. Let us see how it works out. I am excited. It is a new beginning for me."

Tania gave Mama a kiss and said, "I think you'll be the best writer at your job."

The next day, was very chaotic for Mama. She had not figured out her new routine yet. There was baby Sonia to care for. Mama couldn't get any work done all morning. She had to cook for, bathe, feed and play with Sonia. The one time she attempted to work, Sonia started chasing Kazoo around the house trying to pull her tail, and Mama had to give up.

Finally, Sonia was fast asleep enjoying her afternoon nap. But just as Mama started working, Tania returned from school. Mama gave Tania a tasty snack to eat and then returned to her work.

Tania enjoyed her food. Then she wanted to chat with Mama. But Mama was busy with her work. Tania felt annoyed.

She decided she would wake Sonia up. Then Sonia would cry loudly, and Mama would have to stop working. So she went to Sonia's crib and poked her. In a few minutes Sonia was awake. She was very sleepy and cranky.

Mama had to spend the next half an hour rocking Sonia back to sleep again.

In the mean time, Tania realized her plan had backfired. Mama spent time with Sonia, instead of giving Tania any attention. So Tania came up with a new plan. She took a glass of milk and dropped it on the floor.

There were sharp, broken pieces of glass and milk all over the floor. Tired from her efforts of coaxing Sonia to sleep, Mama arrived at the kitchen only to be greeted by a horrible mess.

Tania told Mama she had dropped the milk accidentally. Mama and Tania cleaned up the mess together, as they talked about Tania's day. Tania felt happy. She really wanted to spend time with Mama. Why did Mama get a job? She would make it impossible for Mama to work. Then Mama would have to quit.

Tania wondered what she could do next. She looked around the house, while Mama worked. Then she had an idea. Tania knew that her pet cat Kazoo usually used the litter box between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. So, she closed the door to the room, that had Kazoo's litter box.

A little later, Tania found Kazoo had urinated on Mama's bed. Tania then went and opened the door to the room with the litter box, before she reported the issue to Mama.

Mama was puzzled. Kazoo was a very well trained cat. She had never done this before. Mama checked to see if anything was blocking her access to the litter box, and obviously nothing was.

Mama spent the next half an hour taking off the bed cover and bed sheets and putting them in the washing machine, and then replacing them with fresh sheets. Tania helped Mama cheerfully, and Mama was very thankful for her help. Tania chatted and told jokes, and Mama felt better. That made Tania happy too.

Just as they finished making up the bed, Sonia woke up. Then Tania went off to do her homework, and Mama went to feed Sonia. In the evening, Tania went to play with her friends, and Mama took Sonia for a walk.

After dinner, Mama left Tania and Sonia to play together. Tania was reading a story to Sonia. She did not know how to explain the meaning of a word 'imagination' to Sonia, so she went to ask Mama.

She was about to knock on the door, but it was ajar. Tania over heard Mama saying, "I think I should quit the job. I couldn't get any work done today. I thought I had Sonia on a fairly good routine, but she woke up in the middle of her nap. Then Tania made a mess that took a while to clean up. Even Kazoo messed up today. "

Papa replied, "Don't get so easily disheartened. It was just one bad day. You were looking forward to this job so much. Don't give up so easily."

"I am worried it is not just one bad day. I think I was stressed out, because I was trying to make time for my work. Maybe, everyday is this bad, but I don't feel so bad about it, because I have more time to deal with it all."

Papa said, "Why don't you give it a few more days before you decide."

Mama smiled, "You are right. I should not give up so easily. This is a great offer, since I can work from home, and I have been longing to work for a while. I'll keep going till the end of the week and reassess. Tania is very helpful though, and the bright spot of my lousy day."

Tania was just outside the door feeling sick to her stomach with guilt. Mama was so proud of her, and she had let Mama down. Now Mama was planning to quit her job. That was exactly what Tania had hoped for. But now that she knew how much the job meant to Mama, she felt terrible.

She barged into Mama's room in tears, and confessed all her crimes of the day. She apologized and said, "Mama please don't quit your job. I don't want you to be sad. I'll be better from tomorrow. I promise, I will."

She expected Mama to be hurt and angry, but to her surprise Mama burst out laughing. She said, "Tania you are very silly, sometimes. I love that you want to spend time with me. And I want to spend time with you too. I have an idea. Why don't you sit with me at the table and finish your homework while I work. Then, when Sonia is awake, and I am feeding her, you and I can chat."

"That sounds great Mama." Tania was thrilled.

"Great!" said Papa, who was a little amused by all the drama. "Now Mama can keep her job, and Tania will have company while she does her homework, and Sonia will be sleeping. Sounds like a blissfully quiet time to be home. I wish I could be home at that time."

A big thank you to openclipart (openclipart.org) and pdclipart (pdclipart.org) for making their pictures freely available

Table of Contents

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