Granny & Pouchu — Book Conversation
It is another bright day in Granny’s Pouch land. Pouchu is rummaging through the books when he pulls out one with a rather fierce-looking rakshasa on the cover.
Pouchu: Granny!
He holds up the book.
Granny: Hmm?
Pouchu: Why would anyone want to read a book about a rakshasa?
Granny: (with a little smile) Why wouldn’t they?
Pouchu: Look at him!
He points at the cover, his eyes wide.
Granny: I see him.
Pouchu: He’s frightening.
Granny: (smiling) Isn’t he?
Pouchu: Granny! He looks like a rakshasa.
Granny: And what do you know about rakshasas?
Pouchu: They are scary.
Granny looks at him over her glasses.
Granny: Have you met this one?
Pouchu: No.
Granny: Then perhaps you should meet him before you decide.
Pouchu looks at the cover again. He turns it over in his hands.
Pouchu: Hmm… all right. Let’s see.
They open the book.
Pouchu: Granny, look!
He leans closer to the page.
Pouchu: Everyone is looking at him.
Granny: He seems rather popular.
Pouchu: Like K-pop idols!
Granny laughs softly.
Granny: Something like that.
Pouchu: Everyone admires him.
Granny: They certainly seem to.
They turn the page.
Pouchu: But…
His smile fades.
Pouchu: He doesn’t look happy.
Granny: No. He doesn’t.
Pouchu: That’s strange.
Granny: (gently) Is it?
Pouchu: If everyone thinks you’re wonderful, shouldn’t you be happy?
Granny: Not necessarily, Pouchu.
Pouchu thinks about this for a moment.
Pouchu: Hmm.
Pouchu: I think he’s worried about his friends.
Granny: I think you may be right.
Pouchu: But what can he do?
Granny: Let’s find out.
Pouchu eagerly turns the page.
A little later…
Pouchu: Granny!
He points excitedly at the page.
Pouchu: He’s giving something away!
Granny: He is.
Pouchu: But why?
Granny: Perhaps he has a reason.
Pouchu looks carefully at the page.
Pouchu: I hope it works.
Granny: So do I.
They read on.
Pouchu: Granny…
He looks up from the book.
Granny: Hmm?
Pouchu: Something has changed.
Granny: It has.
Pouchu: I don’t think he’s very happy now.
Granny: No.
Pouchu: And his friends don’t seem to notice.
Granny’s expression softens.
Granny: Sometimes we don’t notice what someone is feeling.
Pouchu: Hmm…
He looks back at the page.
Pouchu: Where is he going?
Granny: Let’s find out.
Pouchu turns the page.
Pouchu: Granny…
Granny: Hmm?
Pouchu: What happens now?
Granny looks at Pouchu with kind eyes.
Granny: Let’s find out together.
Pouchu grins and turns the page.
Peek into the Book
A rakshasa is admired by everyone around him. His friends think he is wonderful—but he is worried about them.
So he goes to the Tree of Wisdom, hoping to find a way to make his friends happy too.
But what will happen when he gets what he wishes for?
And where will his journey take him?
You’ll have to meet the Pleasant Rakshasa to find out.
Library Calling Card
Title: The Pleasant Rakshasa
Written by: Sowmya Rajendran
Illustrated by: Niveditha Subramaniam
Publisher: Tulika Publishers
Language: English
Type: Picture Book
Reading Level: Beginner
First Published: 2012
Edition: 2023
ISBN: 978-93-5046-315-4
Granny’s Note
A playful and thoughtful story that invites us to look beyond appearances—and perhaps to look at ourselves a little differently too.
Illustrations: To be explored
Technique / Medium: To be explored
