May 1st was a holiday from official labours, and I was up early (8.30 on a holiday, is early) taking care of a few non official ones such as taking stock of my neglected kitchen.

Suddenly I heard the melodious song of the koel. I realised that this is first time this year that Ive heard the bird. Normally one would hear its plaintive voice in February. Maybe at Bangalore the bird is a far earlier riser than me. Or maybe the heat and dust have kept it at bay. I rushed to the balcony to see if could spot the bird. There was no tree anywhere near, the sky was a glaring blue. I dont know where voice came from, but I felt that everything would surely be glorious on a day that I heard my first koel of the year. Maybe summer has gone from Bangalore, and spring is finally here.