Summer vacations in our society had their own little traditions.Every evening, all the kids would gather outside our homes. We didn't have big playgrounds or expensive toys, but we never felt bored. Somehow, we always invented our own games.
One of those games was something very special.
It was a game played with mango seeds, and honestly, I don't think many people know about it. Even today, whenever I remember it, I feel like it was a little secret game that only the kids in our society played.
We called it "Ootli ke Gootli."
The rules were simple but fun.
Initially, one person had to stand inside a circle drawn on the ground. That person had the dem. All the other kids stood in a line outside the circle.
One of the players would throw the mango seed into the air while everyone shouted together:
"Ootli ke gootli, catch it catch!
If it hits the head — no catch!"
If the person inside the circle managed to catch the seed, then the dem would change.
But if the seed fell on the ground or touched someone's head, everyone would immediately start shouting "steps!"
Wherever the mango seed landed became the target.
Then the players would start giving different types of steps — big steps, small steps, jumping steps, or funny baby steps. The person with the dem had to follow those steps carefully and try to reach the mango seed.
If they managed to place their foot exactly on the seed, they could pick it up and throw it again to continue the game.
It was chaotic, loud, and full of laughter.
But to us, it was one of the most exciting games of summer.