Pranjol‚ a youngster from assam ‚ is Rajvir's classmate at school in Delhi. Pranjol's father is the manager of a Tea-garden in upper assam and pranjol has invited rajvir to visit his home during Summer vacation.

“ Chai-garam.... garam chai‚” a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice.

He came up to their window and asked‚” Chai' sa'ab? “Give us two cups'" pranjol said.

They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Alomost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too. "Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day thoughtout the world? " Rajvir said. “Whew! ” exclaimed pranjol. “Tea really is very popular. "

    The train pulled out of tje station. pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery.

   It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes.

It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures.

In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys.

  “Hey, a tea garden! ”Rajvir cried excitedly

pranjol, who had been born and brought up on a plantation di didn't share Rajvir's excitement".Oh this is tea country now, "he said,“Assam has the largest concentration of plantation in the world. You will see enough garden to last you a lifetime! "

“I have been reading as much as I could about tea, "Rajvir said. “No one really knows who discovered tea but tere are many legends, "

“what legends? "

“well there's the one about the Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. one day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a burning under the plot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. it is said they were tea leaves. "

"Tell me another! " scoffed pranjol

"we have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma

, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants when put in hot water and drunk in China. " Ranvir added, “as far back as 2700 B. C.! in fact words such as tea. chai and chini are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage. "

The train clattered into mariani junction. The boys collected their language and pushed their way to the crowded platform.

Pranjol's parents were waiting for them

Soon they were driving towards dhekiabari. the Tea-garden managed by pranjol's father.

An hour later the car veered sharply off the mein road. They crossed w Cattle-bridge and entered Dhekiabari tea Estate

In both side of the Gravel-road were acre upon height.Groups of Tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs wearing plastic aprons. were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

Pranjol's father slowed down to allow a tractor pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves. to pass.

“This is the second flush or sprouting period. isn't it. Mr Barua? . Rajvir asked. “it lasts from may to July and yields. the best tea. "

“you seem to have done your hardwork before coming. " pranjol's father said in surprise.

“yes, Mr barua, " Rajvir admitted. "But i hope to learn much while I'm here,....