You've fallen into the trap so many Indian writers are tempted to fall into -- to present Indians as exotic creatures. As if we are not interesting for being ourselves. I mean was the peacock really necessary? Did your uncle really bring one home? The motivation for writing like this seems to be to get the reader to exclaim "How cute!!" I am reminded me of an autobiographical book by RK Narayan -- one of the last books he wrote. It had peacocks too along with other exotic things or what passes for Indian exotica in tourist brochures. I am waiting for someone to write about us -- warts and all. You do try but my advice, such as it is, is avoid references to peacocks, and elephants if your mind is drifting that way. PS: But I still enjoy reading your articles and will continue to do so.