Chai Monster 2
There was one little problem, to become a chaiwala. One needed more than just dreams of masala . . .
It’s the 1st of February, which means time for another B-Side Story . . .
And YES, you read it right.
Chai Monster is back with a SEQUEL as delightful as the first monster tale.
In case you haven’t read the original Chai Monster, check it out by clicking the button below:
This story came to fruition after landing back in my home-away-from-home – India!
India lights up my heart and sparks my best ideas.
Including this sequel, which is all about a much more grown-up version of Chai Monster.
Once upon a time, he was very greedy. But, after curing that vice, Monster discovers there really is nothing better than GIVING . . .
. . . and a good cup of chai, of course!
Which is why Monster wants to start his very own business – a chai stall serving up the hottest, spiciest, tastiest tea in town.
He’s perfected his recipe and added a few special ingredients (passion and love), and now it’s time to share his dream with the world!
“It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It's also a very clear path to happiness.”
These are the words of author Sheryl Sandberg, a thought that weaves its way through Chai Monster 2. I have always found this quote inspiring, as well as the iconic landscape of India. I prefer to spend my time offline while I am here, however . . .
I knew that my B-Side readers would be waiting for a story in their inbox!
Before leaving Canada, I had written a story for March 1st (based on my childhood favourite!) and a story for April 1st (it’s perfect for April Fool’s Day!)
BUT . . .
February was blank!
A story was waiting to form, and when it finally did, I realized I couldn’t scan pictures here in India.
No pictures?!?!?!
How boring!!!!
The cartoons really make the story . . .
So, to make up for the lack of illustrations, I’ve added a few photographs from the local area!
I hope you will enjoy seeing a small corner of my home-away-from-home and the birthplace of Chai Monster himself . . .
Chai Monster 2
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to Gaby & Muna – may we share many, many, MANY cups of chai this season, and always . . .
Click the button below to hear the audio story, and scroll down for photographs of a small slice of India, and plenty of chai . . .
Order Cosette Goes to the County - by B-Side creator caitlin nicole evans - by emailing the author directly: caitlinnicoleevans@gmail.com (autographs, shipping, and smiles included!)
Dear Reader . . .
My friend is a MONSTER.
I think that you’ve met.
The one who loves chai . . .
He’s the best monster yet!
He once had a problem that had to be nixed.
He used to be GREEDY . . .
But, now he’s all fixed!
And ever since Monster got over his greed.
He found that his heart held a new kind of need.
He wanted to give because things were best shared.
He wanted to work for a cause that he cared.
And that cause, of course, was the gift of masala.
Which was why he’d become . . .
the greatest CHAIWALA!
Now, our village had tea at a few scattered stops.
But, Chai Monster wanted the top of all shops.
A place you could sit.
Just relax.
Take a sip.
Enjoy home-made idli.
With chutney to dip.
He’d serve thin, crispy dosa.
And sweet kheer with rice.
Big pots of chai with the right dose of spice.
Friends could all gather to drink and to eat.
Enjoying all Monster’s most treasured of treats.
Monster would cook, and the very best part . . .
Every dish,
every cup,
would be filled with his heart.
Yes, Monster loved CHAI.
And Monster loved giving.
So, there was no better way he could make his own living.
BUT . . .
There was one little problem.
To become a chaiwala.
One needed more than just dreams of masala . . .
Unfortunately, trees aren’t where money is grown.
And Monster, it seemed, would be needing a loan.
So, we went to the bank in our very best dress.
Hoping to hear that the bank would say, “YES!”
But, they insisted on credit and proof of success.
Monster replied, “Well, I hope to succeed.”
“We just can’t take the risk,” the banker decreed.
Monster persisted, but the bank wouldn’t reason.
Couldn’t they see that a risk was worth seizing?!?
To cheer Monster up, I gave him some chai.
And he finally agreed – we would just have to try.
“I simply must start selling one cup by cup.”
“And slowly and slowly I’ll work my way up.”
Since all Monster’s savings had lately run dry.
We went to my mother to borrow supplies.
(She really respects when a young monster tries!)
She offered us milk and spices and pots.
And we both hit the street with an old tabletop.
I guess you could say, it was quite the sad shop.
But . . .
As the scent of masala stirred those passing by.
People began to line up for his chai!
Monster knew in his heart he could outsell the rest.
He’d perfected his craft, and his chai was the best.
Day after day, Monster’s profits were grown.
And soon he’d saved up even more than the loan.
So, he went to the store to buy lumber and bricks.
A bucket of cement, and strong bamboo sticks.
Layer by layer, he laid each brick wall.
Until, he had built his very own stall.
‘Til the question remained . . .
What would it be called?
He needed some time for a name to digest.
And besides, he was busy with all of the rest.
A whole list of jobs stacked ten monsters high.
Taste-testing the menu.
Refining the chai.
He stocked up the kitchen.
Set tables for four.
He laid out some chairs.
Added tasteful décor.
The vibe was real mellow.
With soft, earthy tones.
And a small sign which read:
Please, turn off your phones.
This tea shop is here to enjoy, face-to-face.
We hope you’ll delight in the peace and the space . . .
The lighting was gentle.
There were drapes made from silk.
And, of course, the aroma of sweet-scented milk.
He even had music – the best of Mumbai!
Top hits and pop hits, served up with the chai.
Yes, each little detail was given great thought.
Every candle he lit.
Every spice that he bought.
Until, finally the day came to open his shop . . .
“GRAND OPENING – The HOTTEST Chai Shop in Town!”
Then . . .
He waited,
and waited.
But, nobody came.
Was the weather too hot?
Were mosquitoes to blame?
He kept showing up, but each day was the same.
It wasn’t that Monster was looking for fame.
But, he needed some sales for his business to run.
He started to worry – “Oh, what have a done!”
“I really did think that my dreams could come true . . . “.
But, before he lost faith, I said:
“Here’s what we do!”
“The problem is people can’t see in the store.”
“Let’s offer FREE tastes, so they’ll walk through the door.”
So, we brought out a tray filled with cups for the street.
And small little balls of some ladoo to eat.
While people were happily sipping and eating.
Monster announced:
“Step inside. There is seating!”
Then slowly but steady, the customers came.
To the shop on the corner that stood with no name.
They ate uttapam with coconut dip.
Their smiles expanding with every sip.
My small trick had worked and they all spread the word.
“There’s a new place in town.”
“It’s the best!”
“Have you heard?”
So, more people came.
Then more.
And still more.
Monster had not known such triumph before.
“It’s magic,” said Monster, who’d been feeling quite jaded.
“The magic,” I said. “Is your hope never faded.”
“Day after day you kept making chai.”
“No matter what happened you really did try!”
“You always kept faith. You always kept going.”
“And now all your love and your effort is showing.”
And I saw Monster’s face was suddenly glowing.
Building a dream has its fair share of fears.
Quite a few glitches, and even some tears.
Plus, patience and time – it took Monster YEARS!
But, Monster persisted despite the unknown.
And at last he felt proud of the space he had grown.
And now that he’d grown, he could share even more.
“I know just what I’ll do – I’ll add a small store!”
So, he built a few shelves, and a new tabletop.
Then he got busy curating the shop.
He made small tins filled with tea you could buy.
That way the village could take home his chai.
He brewed oolong, and pekoe, and lavender blossom.
Plus, a pal in Japan told him MATCHA was awesome.
A Canadian friend had sent Monster a tip . . .
“If you make them HOT COCOA, they’ll love every sip!”
So, Monster perfected a chai-laced cacao.
He even designed his own logo –
A cow!
Yes, brewing and cooking were Monster’s true passion.
But, what about painting, or writing, or fashion?
Certainly artists were in search of a place.
To sell their own work in a suitable space.
Chai Monster could share his café with all.
For what better place than his bustling new stall.
So, he reached out to painters who hung up their art.
He helped a photographer get their big start.
There were postcards and photos.
And sat in the nooks.
Were neat little rows of an author’s new books.
One local potter sold mugs made from clay.
And the space slowly blossomed.
It grew day by day.
Monster even helped make my own small dream unfold.
I LOVED making jewellery in silver and gold.
But, I’d never tried selling my work, truth be told.
“Voila! Here’s a space for your things to be sold!”
“Your bracelets are lovely. Your earrings are great!”
“You must put forth your dreams, before it’s too late!”
Monster truly had me and the others inspired.
It was just the right space that the people desired.
Monster’s new shop was the talk of the town.
A whole art collective – with the best tea around!
Yes, he’d built up a business with charm and with heart.
Helping out artists with selling their art.
And, of course, his masala was still the best part!
From near and from far people came for his chai.
And they’d all leave the shop thinking:
“Who IS this guy?!?”
Because, it turned out, he was really quite shy . . .
He mostly liked cooking in the back of the wala.
His best days were spent simply brewing masala.
Behind the scenes, that was Monster’s safe place.
But, sometimes in business you have to show face.
So, I would insist: “Go out front and say ‘hi’.”
And as soon as he did . . .
All the patrons would cry:
“Your chutney’s the best!”
“Your tea is so creamy!”
“This jewellery is lovely.”
“The décor is so dreamy!”
“The art is divine,”
“The pottery’s great.”
“It’s the best chai I’ve drank!”
“It’s the best food I’ve ate!”
“Thank you, Chai Monster,” his customers gushed.
Monster lit up and his smiling cheeks blushed.
Then, he went back to keep stocking up.
Feeling blessed to be sharing his heart, cup by cup.
He had truly worked hard, and his dreams had come true –
Sharing his gifts!
But, the last thing to do . . .
He’d finally thought up a name for his wala.
So, he put up a sign:
“Monster’s MAGIC Masala”!
If you’re ever in India, and feel like a treat.
Just look for his shop – it’s the best on the street!
Now, you see reader, if you love what you do.
With patience and effort your dreams can come true.
But . . .
I must head back to work,
to help out my friend.
There’s chai to be served!
So, I must say:
“The End!”
Recommended Reading: Sequels – some say they are never as good as the original. However, there are some exceptions. Like Monster’s University – that’s a pretty great movie! Or, how about The Spiderwick Chronicles – those books keep getting better and better.
I’m really sticking to the MONSTER theme here, and this month’s recommended reading is no different.
It’s not exactly a sequel. It’s more like a parody, but in my opinion it’s better than the original, Goodnight, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
The parody is called Goodnight Goon, by Michael Rex. It follows the same storyline as Brown’s book. But, instead of mittens, and kittens, and little old ladies this story is all about claws and jaws, and mummies and . . . MONSTERS! It is one of my favourite picture books for kids. Goodnight Moon always warms my heart, but Goodnight Goon will truly have you and your little ones laughing out loud. Enjoy, little monsters!
Another book I recommend reading . . .
Cosette Goes to the County, of course, by B-Side author caitlin nicole evans. Email caitlinnicoleevans@gmail.com, or message me on FB/Instagram @caitlinnicoleevans to order your very own autographed copy! More details when you click the button below . . .
And next month, check out B-Side’s very own parody – a twist on the classic story If You Give a Moose a Muffin. The B-Side version? If You Give a Crow a Cracker.
Stay tuned to this story and more by making sure you SUBSCRIBE, and if you liked Chai Monster 2 make sure you share it.
Afterall, monsters LOVE sharing!
Happy Reading . . .
