As I grew up,
I found that this game required more skill when played with
many boys. Each one was so clever at hiding that the blind
- folded one roamed about, near the others, hearing them
shout, but unable to touch anyone. The 'judge', who closed
the eyes of the finder, kept the palms of his hands glued
tight to the finder's face, till long after everyone had
hidden.
Usually
the youngest was chosen to find the older boys. And often the game was used
as a trick by the older ones when they didn't want a little one to play with
them. They shut his eyes and ran far away to play another game. I remember
being left to weep alone many a time.
But having learnt the tricks of the game, I was able to play it well with
the little girls of the village. I came to be know that this was the game
the Lord Krishna played with Radha and the milk - maids. I played this game with
zest even when I became older.