From China with love
Wen Jiabao might have disappointed television pundits self-importantly analysing matters of state, but visuals of the calligraphy session left an indelible impression. A few months ago, another Chinese phenomenon left me astounded. Tucked away in a neglected corner of a once throbbing-with-activity toys and games store, was a little wooden box with some indecipherable Chinese lettering on the slide-off wooden lid. It was selling at an unbelievable `30. Tucked inside the box, was a folded plastic
sheet. And in separate compartments, Cadbury’s gems-like wooden play counters.
The play area is a 14x14 grid, and measures 11.50 inches x 12.50 inches. I opened the tightly-folded plastic wad, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the wrinkles did not detract from the game. The black printed grid had registration problems, and so a critical buyer would be within his rights to complain about the uneven thickness of the lines, and a certain shoddiness of finish. That buyer would clearly have missed the proverbial woods for the trees.
What I had discovered was the most ingenious version of the spectacular strategy game – Pente! At this price point. With this play area that could fold into a match box. Other than on a windy day where your board would fly away, you’re onto the happiest find an avid gamer could ever come by! The game involves placing pieces alternately, with the objective of being the first to line up five pieces in a row, or capturing five pairs of the opponents counters. There are few experiences more exquisite than setting down to a series of rounds of Pente with a worthy opponent, who respects the occasion!
— The author may be contacted at arup_kavan@yahoo.com
I recently wrote about Vedic Maths. Instead of replying individually to over 40 mails that have flooded my in-box requesting details, here are the specifics: Vedic Mathematics for Beginners (Level 1 – 6). Shree Book Centre. E-mail sales@shreebookcentre.com. Each workbook retails for `60.
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