Lady Flora spotted her friend, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, holding a wooden box aloft from a distance; however, she couldn’t tell what it was. As she approached closer, it became clear — he was examining a cute wooden birdhouse in his hand, as he sat on a bench at Cooperage Bandstand. The air was crisp, and the dreaded extended rainy spell was over, so the duo was back to exploring their favourite city outdoors.

“Isn’t this wonderful? It’s a gift for my grandniece. I thought it would be a nice way to celebrate Children’s Day. I couldn’t meet her on the day, so I will hand it over next Sunday, as I’d promised her,” shared Sir PM, pleased at his purchase. “What a thoughtful idea, Pheroze. Does she love nature and the outdoors?” Lady Flora asked. “Oh yes, little Tara enjoys the outdoors, whenever she heads to Panchgani, where her maasi resides; but in aapro Bombay…no such luck. In fact, she needs to be dragged back home whenever she is at her maasi’s home. She loves birdwatching, and looking out for butterflies in the large gardens around her maasi’s home. Out here, where she lives in a baug in Dadar, while things are still fairly okay, it’s still the only blessing in the neighbourhood. The extent of open spaces beyond the area is rapidly shrinking, I’m afraid,” Sir PM sighed.