Talk about machine intelligence. Eleanor shrugged her shoulders. The contrast between Eleanor and her husband was striking.

While Eleanor had double clicked on the panic buttons, her husband Albert had switched on to domestic crisis management mode.

There he was, sipping his mug of tea leisurely and giving the entire arena of the living room a sweeping wide ear to ear grin as though raising a toast to a historical moment.

Irritated, Eleanor let off an exasperated sigh, provoked to a point beyond tolerance. She felt Cecilia was overdoing her role of being the sports captain - in charge of the two divisions in her class. Celicia was an extra responsible kid - the kind who would actually be any parent's delight. She took her studies and sports seriously.

" Celia, Baby! ", Eleanor said as patiently and as sweetly as she could. Reality did a quick U turn jog in her head. She distinctly remembered seeing the mascot..." What happened to the mascot that you and all your friends were busy making? " " Mom, Jo's dog shredded it ".

Mrs. Jones wondered how a miniature poodle could be so strong as to attack a hurly, burly mascot that had been painfully stitched over a 4 week period by a team of 8 kids.

" Are you telling me, Fangs is the culprit ".

" No, Mom, not Fangs, It was Fang's friend ".

" Who on earth is Fang's friend?" queried Eleanor.

"Pixie ".

"Ah! So, why did you mention Fang's name then? ".

Well, he showed Pixie the hiding place?

She knew Pixie well - a strong, sturdy Dalmatian. Yes, he was quite capable of doing this.

"Mom, we need a new mascot! need, need a new mascot NOW! ".

Her daughter's words whirred into her head.

Eleanor thought to herself...but...this had to happen...just when she was flooded with mountain high piles of work...just when Albert had urgent seminar preparation work to do...when there were mountain loads of house cleaning work to be done.

Meanwhile, from behind the bean bag, over the cupboard top and from under the table - 6 pairs of eyes - had halted - holding their breath and stopping almost in midtrack to watch Albert, Eleanor and Cecilia curiously.

Buster - the aggressive rose ringed parakeet started flapping his wings excitedly and called out..." Good news! Good news! Urgently needed! One new mascot ".

Coral! the regal looking Persian paused in the act of grooming herself.

Zoomie, the cocker spaniel started flapping his ears and generally jumping around and giving everyone an extra large dose of cloying affection.

"There's Zoomie again, up to his doggy act ", screeched Buster.

That's when the big Thought struck Eleanor.

"Why don't you get a live mascot?"

"What are you saying, Mom take a live mascot?

Every body takes around mascots made of soft toys...

"There's always a first time! Celia. You'll make history! ".

"You will be the first person in the history of your school, in the history of this district to have a live mascot, may be even the history of our country! Just think about it ".

Cecilia's eyes shone! Bright as buttons. Eleanor's statement had set off a great, big desire in Cecilia's heart.

"But, Mom, none of our pets can ever be a good mascot ", proclaimed Cecilia with a tone of definitive authority.

Zoomies's tail drooped, his eyes remained stuck to the floor and he stopped jumping around. Buster screeched sadly, all the while exclaiming, " Very sad, no quality mascots here. Very, very sad" and Coral returned to her face washing schedule.

"What is wrong with Buster? As far as I can see he makes a delightful mascot ", asked Albert.

"But, Dad "sighed Celia as only the very young can do when exasperated beyond measure." Buster loves to pull girl's hair clips and boy's shoelaces and even if there's a crowd of more than 100, he'll do it in a jiffy".

"What about Zoomie? He's everything one would want in a mascot", said Eleanor brightly.

"No, Mom, Zoomie loves food. On the sports grounds, instead of standing on the dais, he will be pigging it out in the canteen, begging for wafers, chocolates and ice-creams".

"Mum, I think I will just call up Patricia and Melanie and ask whether their pets would fit the mascot's role".

Just as she was about to dial, her eyes spotted Coral - seated in a royal pose - and right next to the telephone and looking up at her appealingly.

"Mom! Mom! "Celia yelled." I know what - it's Coral. It's got to be Coral. She's not scared of people or big crowds, or even stages, microphones or loud music. And she listens to every word I say. She will sit like a queen - regally! "

It was well past six in the evening. Now Cecilia had to just confirm that her choice of mascot was okay with the gang.