Mommyhood- The Search for Bozo’s Nose

Reema gazed at Mishti while rocking her to sleep. Once her daughter Mishti is asleep, Reema must find Bozo’s red nose. To Reema, this one-woman messianic mission must end in success. Because just like a baby without a bonny buttock; a clown without a red nose is just not the same.

Mishti loved her clown Bozo. She would gurgle gleefully while Bozo flailed his long arms and legs to the tinkle of the bells on his clown’s hat. As of recently, she had started teething and also enjoyed chewing on his red rubber nose.

Mishti made it clear to everyone that Bozo just wouldn’t make the cut without his red nose. He dressed the part; complete with red-and-white striped pajamas, a yellow shirt with red polka dots, and a bright blue bow tie. He even possessed the exaggerated yet affable clown features- including rouged cheeks, thick eyebrows, red lips set in a mischievous grin, all topped off with bright orange hair! However, without his red nose, Bozo just looked self-conscious and confused. Like even he was not confident in his clowning abilities.

All Mishti wanted was her red-nosed Bozo. And a disgruntled Mishti was giving everyone sleepless nights!

So Reema started this search expedition by going through Mishti’s belongings. This included her toys, her tiny baby clothes, her bottles, creams- even her diaper stash. This was followed by a thorough search of the bed and also under it for good measure. However, Bozo’s nose seemed elusive as ever. The issue was escalated. Both Mishti’s Dad and Grandma joined the hunt. All the almirahs were combed through. Everything was turned inside-out. But Bozo’s nose was nowhere to be found. After a long morning, the team sat down exhausted and defeated.

Suddenly Mishti let out a shrill yelp. Mishti had woken up! Reema ran over to her and realized that Mishti had pooped. Reema started cleaning up. Mishti gave a naughty grin.

‘Yeah right’ said Reema, ‘Next you will demand your precious Bozo- and his nose.’

Suddenly something caught Reema’s eye. In the poop. A flash of red. With the obliviousness that only a mother can muster, Reema’s fingers dove into the thick yellow paste and sifted out the foreign object. Bozo’s nose!

Soon after, Mishti was reunited with her red-nosed Bozo. And Reema gazed at Mishti while rocking her to sleep.

Postscript: Story adapted from an incident that occurred with my friend.