My Perfect Science Project

"Please tell me you're kidding."

"Ishita, I've written it down in my diary. Why should I be joking around now? That too about a project?"

I panicked.

It was not unusual about me forgetting about a project. But this, was definitely scary.

It was around eight o'clock at night and I had a physics submission day after. And if you think that it was just an assignment or a scrapbook or even a cardboard/thermocol model, you are wrong. I had to make a 'Box Type Solar Cooker'. A real working one. (Not to mention the fact that they were made only in factories.)

I ran to my father who I call 'Baba' (father in Bengali). He sighed and gave me a 'when-will-you-grow-up look.

I handed him over the diagram of the solar cooker in my physics text book. (Phew! a life saver)

While he was carefully looking at the diagram, I did some running around screaming,"How does one make a SOLAR COOKER!". (Of course, I eventually I stopped when I realised that there was no point in doing so).

After dinner Baba gave me a list of things to buy - a glass piece, a mirror, a cardboard shoe box, a thermocol sheet, a big paintbrush, and some black enamel paint.

The next day, at evening when my father came back for office, I noticed that he didn't seem as angry as the day before.

But the irony was, that he was showing no signs of even looking at the material. He kept telling me that it wouldn't take much time, but I got even more tensed every passing minute. As if that was going to convince me.

Finally, he sat down to make the cooker.

First, he cut out the 4 rectangular pieces of thermocol and I put on some glue to them. For extra support, I taped it to the sides of the box after sticking them. Then, my father took charge. He swiftly taped a glass piece and mirror to one edge of the box. All this while, I just watched completely awestruck.

I was very happy with the result but, there was a hitch there was supposed to be a metal box inside the the cardboard one. Now where the hell would one get a metal box of a perfect fit when it was 7:30 in the evening, that too by today?
We all racked our brains to find the answer, but all in vain. Then an idea struck me - what my mamma calls a 'Light Bulb Moment'. Instead of a metal box, I decided to use an ordinary aluminium foil, and paint it black.
We measured it glued it, painted it and left it to dry. Finally, we were done.
Next morning, I got very tensed. Many questions came up in my mind. Will sir understand that I did not do this project? What will be my mark for this?
The test and questionnaire went past smoothly. And guess what? I got 15 on 15!
I thank god for giving me such a helpful and caring father, who helps me in all my projects. Who not only makes sure that I make all my projects and submit it on time, but also makes sure that mine is the best of the whole lot.
Thanks Baba, for helping me out with science. I would never make it without you. I love you!
I must say, Baba's swiftness, expertise and dedication in every single job is worth admiring.
You know, not every girl is as lucky as me, to have such an amazing father