Bursting the banks of the rain-fed tanks, br the swirling flood was swelling br the river Kundu in Cuddappah, br on twenty fourth August two thousand. br br Carrying her two sons on her shoulders, br Penchallamma dared to cross the river, br in chest-deep strong current br to reach safe the other side, br as her house was engulfed br to be washed away soon. br The Collector from a helicopter br lowered down a plastic bucket, br to lift her up with her children. br Alas! Her seven year old boy br while climbing up into the bucket, br slipped and slumped into the river br and was swept away before her eyes! br br Controlling her shock and grief, br She made her next attempt br to get into the swaying bucket. br But fate snatched her infant son br from her shivering hands br and dropped into the furious river. br She cursed the heavens and cried aloud, br pushed aside the bucket br and sank into the surging river.