Kite flying can be hard

Apr 15, 2009 Features / Columnists

The Parrot was out flying a kite. Oh what an onerous experience it was. The heat from the scorching sun caused excessive tanning. A few moments of exposure resulted in darkened pigmentation. The real effects were felt under the shower later that evening, or night, depending on the time of return.
Given the intensity of the sun’s heat, any doubt of global warming quickly evaporated. But that’s my scenario; many, well thousands many, seemed unaffected by the radiation in question. I later found out that I ventured too early to get my kite up. This may be an engrained characteristic given that I love to be up early.
My earliness may have stemmed from experience. Over the years, it has been almost chaos at all open spaces where kites are flown. The chaos referred to here has to do with the actual flying of the kite and does not in any way infer any uncivil behaviour on the part of the thousands who throng these spots.
Now it’s common here for the winds to blow from a north-easterly direction; at least generally. As evident from those lining the seawall, all kites were south-west of the flyer. This vindicates the north-east winds. With so many kites and in a natural south-west direction, one was afforded little space to ensure and maintain the upward mobility of the kite.
This was compounded, at least at the time when mine was being raised, by just less than sufficient winds to aid in the effortless skyward movement of the kite. This made it challenging to get it up, the kite that is. After numerous tries, various manoeuvres and much time, it eventually went up, (still referring to the kite).
When up, it was another challenge to keep it up. While up, it was bobbing and weaving with much side to side movements. It even went around and around at times. This caused some panic given the fact so many others were in close proximity. The aim was to ensure that the movements were confined to it and not become into contact with another.
The pressure mounted, not only from the sun, but the fact that Mrs. Parrot was focused on me. Not wanting to disappoint and to maintain my “machoness” and for her not to believe that I wasn’t in control, I had to get involved in some movements of my own to counter that of the kite. What were you thinking? Hmmm.
To regain control and not to intrude into someone else’s space, I had to keep jerking; the twine that is. After much of this jerking and constantly changing hands, I realised I was drenched with perspiration. This of course led to exhaustion and discomfort. I had no choice but to abort and seek a beverage to quench my thirst.
This Mrs. Parrot readily made available. She comforted me for trying. She provided added consolation by relating that whilst I was being challenged by the kite, others within her vision had experienced similar difficulties. She was blunt in saying that at least I got mine up; some other men didn’t.
This provided much needed comfort; at least then. The discomfort came under the shower. I called out to Mrs. Parrot again. She responded. I was happy. I never knew if she told me the truth about the others who couldn’t get their kites up. In my vision then I couldn’t see. Maybe that’s her way of rewarding me for being in the sweltering sun. I never realised getting a kite up was so hard.
Squawk! Squawk!

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Kite flying can be hard

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