Nikhil Khasnabish

Many rich people lived in that village. But those who were poor lived below poverty level. In that village, there was a rich and powerful man. He was very talkative. Most of the time, he told lies and no people could contradict what he said. 

But in that village, there was an  intelligent and courageous young man. He didn’t like the rich man because he always lied and talked in an exaggerated manner.

One day -it was a summer evening – some people sat in the front yard of the house of the rich man. Cool breeze was blowing. People gossiped.

Then the rich man said in his signature style, ‘In our pond, there are many fish. You know that. But a few years ago, we caught a big carp fish in our pond.’

‘Was it a very big fish, Uncle?’ the young man asked.

‘Yes. It weighed eighty kilograms. When the fish was brought out of the pond, the entire village came to have a look at it. The news spread fast. From the district, Deputy Commissioner also came to see the fish. People took pictures. Reporters came and took pictures of the fish from different angles.’

‘Didn’t they take your picture?’

‘They took my picture too. They took the picture of the pond. They took my interviews and published them in their papers. Then our MLA brought it to the knowledge of the chief minister. I was invited to meet him in his office.’ He paused.

‘Did you meet him, Uncle?’

‘Yes. I met him. That was a big opportunity. In his office, the CM treated me to varieties of sweets. When he asked me whether I’d like to drink tea or coffee, I said coffee.’

‘Was it the first time when you drank coffee?’

‘Yes. And since that time, I have drunk only coffee in winter.’

‘The CM gave you award?’

‘He wanted to forward my name to the central government for an award. I implored him with my spliced hands at my chest not to do so. Then he gave me two lakh rupees from the CM’s fund to develop my pond and turn it into a famous fishery in the State.’

The listeners loudly clapped when he stopped.

‘May I now tell a story about a cane, Uncle?’

‘Yes. Why not?’

‘The owner of Banik Mustard Oil shop, one day bought a cane in our local market. He ordered his main servant to cut three feet out of it after properly measuring it. Then, following Banik’s order, the three feet long piece of cane was put under water of his pond before drying it in the hot sun to season it. The process continued for four months. After four months, two servants were engaged in oiling it with the pure mustard oil of his shop. The oiling continued for another four months. After eight months, he ordered his main servant to put it in a leather sheath.’

‘It is not worth believing,’ Uncle said.

‘It’s a true story, Uncle.’

‘Why did he spend so much time and energy for an ordinary cane?’ 

‘It was not an ordinary cane. It was a profitable cane, Uncle.’

‘Can you explain?’

‘He lent it to people. From every borrower, he took three hundred rupees as fees.’

‘Why did people borrow it from him?’

‘The people, who borrowed it from him, used it openly against the people, who told lies and exaggerated at random.’

‘Do you think I am a liar? Do you think I exaggerate? I understand you invented this story to dishonour me in front of these people.’

The people burst out laughing.

Uncle angrily went in without talking to anyone anymore.