The dictionary meaning of the word bonfire is an open air fire made to celebrate an event. But to us, the boys of, it means something more - a mixture of fact and fiction, smiles and tears, union and separation. The bonfire helps us to realise the fact that our sweetest tales are those that tell of saddest thoughts. To the boys of Classes IV to IX it is full of smiles and happiness. But to us it is, indeed, a romantic agony. As students of the final year class we eagerly look forward to launching into a greater life, but at the same time we simply cannot think of parting with our ALMA MATER, our life at VICTORIA that stands far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife.

The preparations for the bonfire starts right from the Puja, when the boys start to collect fireworks and crackers. But after the Puja holidays comes the Annual Examination, and the Bonfire is forgotten for the present. But the day the exams come to an end, the boys rush out to bring dry branches, twigs, leaves and firewood. A good pine tree is also sacrificed for this occasion. It is a most amazing thing to see the boys running in and out bringing the greeneries from God-knows-where. But the most spectacular object is the Man. It is a life size doll made by the boys of Classes IX and X of cardboard, paper and rags, and stuffed with different kinds of crackers and fireworks. The boys gladly give up their old and worn out clothes to decorate the Man so that it looks natural.

Then at long last comes the moment looked forward to by all of us. Some of us troop down to the Chinar tree that stands in the chilly night with no leaf save one or two, and only the branches sticking out against the clear blue sky. We assemble under the tree to see there is not wind enough to twirl the one red leaf, the last of its clan, that dances as often as dance it can, hanging so light, and hanging so high, on the topmost twig that looks up at the sky. We throw stones at the leaf and it falls as silently as the tears of an angel.

The sun is about to set the boys stand along the parapet and the joyous note, the plaintive anthem “Going, going, gone!”, rends the sky for the last time as the sun finally dips below the horizon.

The sun sets, bidding farewell to the earth just as we would bid farewell to the school after a few days. It is twilight; a great crowd gathers round the fire and the bonfire is lighted. There is a crackling sound as the fire gradually eats up the leaves of the Cryptomeria Japonica. We look back and the rumination takes us to a fairy land forlorn. The keep of the school building enunciates, 'men may come and men may go but I go on for ever.' We get more and more home sick though we know we are going to say goodbye to our home VICTORIA for ever and for ever.

Gradually the flames shoot upward making a colourful view and a thunderous sound as a cracker explodes, while the boys go round and round the fire singing and dancing. Then it touches the Man. A rocket bomb shoots upwards with its luminous tail. A packet of crackers bursts with the typical rat a tat sound of a machine gun. The flame goes up to a height of 40 to 50 feet. Then it gradually ebbs like a tide while the boys go chattering to the dining room to have dinner - the Farewell Dinner. It occupies an important place in the Bible, so does it in our School and in our hearts. The Last Supper being over, we bid farewell to each other, and wishing bon voyage to everybody the boys depart. But not those of Class X. We feel broken hearted when we go to bid farewell to our teachers our friends, philosophers and guides. With tears in their eyes, they bless us and wish us a prosperous future.

With heavy hearts, we lie on our beds, thinking of the past, remembering the days we have spent in Victoria. Alas BONFIRE ! the very word is like bell to toll us back from you, oh Victoria, to our sole selves. No more fire, no more flame. Our hearts ache for thee Victoria and an overwhelming nostalgia life size pains our senses.