Cross Border Raids

In the annals of warfare, “Cross Border Raids” (CBR) are very common. The military force of one country enters an enemy territory for a very short period to carry out a limited operation. It’s not war but a military manoeuvre to intimidate the enemy. The media is full of such reports between Russia and Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, Ethiopia and Sudan, Boko Haram and Nigeria – the list is endless. Secrecy, surprise, stealth and swiftness are the key ingredients in any raid.  

It is very fascinating to study how this concept of “Cross Border Raids” has been suitably modified and executed in the civilian domain.

Our daughter is blessed with three boys and the family lives next door to us. All the three are in their teens, delightfully young and energetic. When young boys are growing up, nourishment plays an extremely important role. They are forever hungry and on the look out to replenish themselves. Apart from the well- established three meals a day routine, they are always on the lookout for snacks, easy bites and such like.

Here is one scenario. I am sitting in the TV room totally engrossed in some serial or the other and oblivious to what’s happening around me. Suddenly I sense some change in the immediate space and see some movement from the corner of my eye. I know there has been an intrusion. Through the slightly open door, I see the fridge door opening slowly. The door remains open for a short time and closes gently soon after. Years of experience in the military tells me that a successful “Cross Border Raid” has been executed with utmost precision and stealth.

A closer examination of the fridge reveals the extent of the damage. Over time and after keeping the fridge under close surveillance, I have been able to link the booty to the intruder.

All the cheese slices have been captured and taken away by ‘Cheesy Fox’. Hershey’s too is a great favourite of his and the presence of these delectable chocolates is never ignored.

ATM (Any Time Mango) enters through the back door and wishes me on the way to the drawing room. In a jiffy he completes the raid and has departed through the front door with his booty of mangoes. ATM also likes ‘Kaju Katli’. This raider has developed a taste for very costly dry fruits. Almonds, walnuts, raisins and cashew nuts are his regular targets. I have often fooled ATM by storing dry fruits in the oddest of places. The packet of pistas stored in an empty washing machine- cleaning-tablets bottle has survived many daring attacks. So have the roasted almonds hidden under a bag of carrots in the vegetable tray!

The raiding party is only interested in ready-to-eat items. Just when you think all the raids are over and done with, I hear a steel glass falling to the ground, a plate carelessly dropped in the sink and so on. The ‘Gawky Raider’ has entered. He has no favourites and settles for anything in the fridge. He wishes us very politely and then after a short while, leaves our house with bulging pockets and a sheepish smile!

The CBR is executed very swiftly and lasts just for a minute or two. During school days the raid is normally carried out between 5 to 7 pm. However, on holidays the raid can happen at any time and without any warning.

As grandparents we have accepted CBR as a part of growing up and encourage these silent and daring raids by feigning ignorance and constantly replenishing the food items.

Cheers until the next raid.