My Ride on A Tonga

Tonga is a light two-wheeled horse-drawn traditional carriage which ran on the Indian streets frequently 25 years ago but is not a very common sight now. I was always fascinated by Tonga and had been longing to sit in it ever since my father told me about it. Last year just as I began my summer holidays, we visited India. My grandfather promised to take me for a Tonga joy ride in the old city. The very sight of the ‘Tonga’ excited me and I hopped into the front seat right next to the tonga owner. I wanted to hold the reins in my hand but that wasn’t to be, obviously! Our Tonga was coloured brightly, adorned with huge flowers and interesting local graffiti. The horse was a huge white majestic beauty. His mane and tail bounced in the air as we moved down the roads swiftly and I thought I was riding on air! The owner gave me the reins briefly and it made me feel like I was commanding the Tonga…what a heady feeling that was. I was laughing with gay abandon; I didn’t want the ride to end but it had to. I got off with a heavy heart but not without extracting a promise from grandpa to come back for more.