My Grandfather
Grandpa was very generous and kind-hearted. But the dignity of his glowing face told a different story. He was having a very strong and healthy body, big mustaches on the scarlet face, and three lines of white sandalwood above the forehead. This was his identity. He loved his sole grandson very much. But it’s not known why that eight-year-old teenager Kishalya used to slink away from him. Grandpa used to get him to sit on his lap and say, ‘Son Kishalya! I will send you to 'Kashi Ji' to read. There is a great scholar of the Sanskrit language. Taking learning from him you will, one day, become a profound pundit, just like me.’ These words coming out of Grandpa's mouth were enough to strike the tender heart of that little one. A twinge arises in his mind; I will not become a pundit. No small children ever wear a dhoti. If I become a Pandit, then I will have to sit for two-three hours on worship like Grandpa. I will not be able to do all this. I love playing with children. I will study in my own school and have a lot of fun. Probably one of the reasons for Kishalya's lack of interest in his Grandpa would have been his fanaticism. However, he also loved Grandpa very much. His little brain still had a fond memory of those days, when he used to hold Grandpa's big mustache and show him the brilliance of his soft hands. And especially when Grandpa would be busy in worship. He was an utter devotee of God and his unwavering reverence was proof that till that time he was neither used to getting up from the seat nor speaking.
It was the first week of the month of June. Grandpa went out of the house for two three days for some work. Mother and father also had to go out of the house due to some work. So mother said to the teenager Kishalaya:
‘Son, I and your father are going out for some work and will return home by evening. I have prepared food for you. Eat whenever you feel hungry. And yes, don't do mischief. Your Grandpa will probably return home by noon. If he asks about us, then tell him that they will return by evening.’
‘Okay Amma ji, don't you worry about me. I will not do any mischief.’ Kishalaya said shaking his neck.
Mother and father went away, but the fun of Kishalaya's holiday pleasure was marred. The poor fellow was compelled in guarding the house. When the children of the village and the neighbourhood used to jump and run around making the sound of joy Kishilaya's mind would have been eager to run away with them. But he was helpless.
By noon, Grandpa returned home. Kishalaya ran towards him and touched his feet and bowed. Grandpa too could not restrain himself. Laughing, he raised Kishalaya with both his hands and began to tickle his nose with his belly while Kishilaya started to laugh and giggle. After all, when Grandpa’s heart was filled with affection, he brought Kishalaya down. He was waiting for this moment. He told his Grandpa about mother and father and then said to him:
‘Grandpa, shall I go to play?’
‘Yes son, but go with care. Don't get hurt anywhere.’ Grandpa said from behind.
On hearing these words, he disappeared in the street like a wind. It must have been two o'clock in the afternoon. Sun God was shining in his fierce form. Everyone was hidden in their homes to get relief from the scorching heat. Only children's tweets and noises were heard in the streets. After hearing a voice echoing in the street, all the children became calm. They began to listen to that voice very carefully. The candy seller was uttering in a loud voice:
‘Dear children! Take sour-sweet candies made of orange from me. Take sour-sweet candies of orange. These are digestible candies. Sour-sweet candy’s seller has come to your village.’
Hearing this familiar voice, it was natural for the children to get water in their mouths. So, all the children ran towards the seller of the candies. He held a tin canister in his right hand wherein light red, yellow and pink-orange candies were kept, which were clearly visible through a glass sheet fixed on one side of it. Like honeybees hovering over the flowers, the seller of the candies surrounded by the children, and then they started walking along with him. The seller of the candies was also very happy to be with them. After all, these children were the only means of his livelihood. Some would buy candies of a little amount of five paise, and some would buy of ten paise. The children, who had no money, began to stare at the children who were sucking the candies in front of them. They had the strongest desire in their mind that if the candies fell from their hand on the ground, they would have lifted it, immediately. Being lack money is also a curse. In such a state, a frustrated mind makes itself dwarf in the eyes of others. Seeing this mood of children, the mind of Kishalaya got upset. He started searching for a solution to this problem in his mind.
The candy seller was getting wet with sweat due to the unbearable heat of the Sun God. So, in order to get relief from the heat, he sat along the wall of a house, where there was some shade. Teenager Kishalaya went to him and said softly:
‘Baba! You just sit here for a while; I bring money from my house.’
When Kishalaya reached home, Grandpa was busy worshipping. So, seeing him, he thought in his mind:
'Aha! It is good. If I had asked for my Grandpa, I would have hardly got money twenty-five or fifty paise. Now Grandpa will not speak, I will take it out as much as I want.’
It was as if Kishalaya had got a lottery. He went inside the room and picked up the mother's purse and took out a few Rupees from it and then put the money in his pocket. Then he silently came out of Grandpa's side into the street. The seller of the candies was sitting there waiting for him. After going closer to him, Kishalaya took out the money from his pocket and said:
‘Baba, give candies of these Rupees.’
Seeing so many Rupees in the hand of the child, he was taken aback and looked towards him. Where did so many Rupees come from? Didn't he bring it from somewhere by stealing? If that is the case then it is a very bad thing. No, no I will not take this money. He was thinking in his own mind that then Kishalaya spoke again:
‘Baba, give me sweet candies.’
‘Son, from where have you brought so many Rupees? Did you steal it at home? If you have done this, along with you, your family members will beat me too. Go, son, from where these are taken out, keep them there. I will give you two candies free.’ He said while explaining to the Kishalaya.
‘No Baba, I have not committed any theft. My Grandpa gave me this money. He was saying, take a lot of candies and distribute them to other children as well. That’s why he has given so many Rupees.’ Kishalaya said while hiding the truth.
He believed the teenager's words and after taking the money, he placed the canister of sweet and sour candies in front of him. After filling his pockets, Kishalaya distributed the remaining candies to the children. Right now, there was a buzz of fun that a boy came and said to Kishalaya:
‘Kishalaya, your Grandpa is calling you at home. He has sent me to call you. He was saying that he had some important work to do.’
Upon hearing this, all the happiness of Kishalaya vanished. Grandpa had got up from the worship. What should be done now? If I go home, I will be beaten up. Grandpa has seen everything with his own eyes. Now even an excuse will not work.
‘You tell Grandpa that even after searching the entire village, Kishalaya was nowhere to be found.’ He said to the boy using very pathetic language.
‘Why should I tell a lie? I will speak the truth. I will say that Kishalaya was forcing me to lie to you. Then see, how your Grandpa takes care of you?’ The boy said, staring at him.
‘Look, I have so many candies in my hand. I will give you all these candies. Don’t tell my Grandpa. Take this.’ Kishalaya said opening his fist in front of the boy.
Seeing the candies, the boy became impatient for getting the same. Now his intention didn’t take long to change. He stepped ahead and took candies from Kishalaya's hand and then ran into the street. Kishalaya's heart was now starting to tremble in fear. He started thinking that there is not even his mother to protect him at home. What will happen now? If he falls into Grandpa’s hands, he will beat him mercilessly. Now there was no one to support him. He was completely alone. He went into deep thinking. By now the fellow boys had run away. When the seller of the candies left, he didn’t know. Grandpa's fear was becoming dominant over him with the passage of every moment. So, fearing that he might not come here on his own, he hid in the fields. After performing the worship Grandpa took food and then went out to the village in search of Kishalaya. But he was not found anywhere. Hence, being tired he returned and sat at home. His heart was distressed due to Kishalaya’s separation rather than the evil done by him. Don’t know where in this scorching heat he was wandering? What a foolishness I have done, sent a boy to call him. After all, he is a child. If the children don’t do mischief, will the elders like me do mischief? What is his fault in this? This is the nature of childhood. We too have gone through this path. Then why have I forgotten my past? No, I will not say anything to Kishalaya. I will just make him sit in my lap and explain with love that my son stealing is not only a bad habit but also a kind of sin. If you need anything, then ask Grandpa. He will not refuse you. The grandpa lost in these thoughts didn’t know how long he kept thinking. His peace of mind was lost. He was distraught. After all, he is a child. Don't know where he might be wandering. He started cursing himself again and again.
All the efforts of Grandpa to find Kishalaya had failed. The sun was about to set. Now Grandpa became impatient. He lifted his stick for support and then went out in the street to find him. A lot of time was spent wandering the streets and asking people. When it got dark, he tired and started his toil back home. On the other hand, in hiding, Kishalaya was waiting for his mother to come back home. And Grandpa's going out of the house at such a time proved to be a boon for him.
When the mother-father came back home, he ran and sat on the mother's lap. Mother rubbed his head gently with her hand and then asked:
‘Son, your Grandpa has not come yet?’
Kishalaya was waiting for the moment, so secretly told the mother everything. Grandpa could come back at any time. Therefore, the mother advised him not to do such an act again and then quickly laid him on the bed and covered him with a sheet.
Having wrinkling of sorrow and worry on his forehead, Grandpa came and sat quietly on the bed, without talking to anyone. His son and daughter-in-law both got up and touched his feet and then asked for his well-being. Both his tongue and hands were trembling while blessing. He said with a stuttering voice:
‘Son, I have searched Kishalaya everywhere, but he was not found anywhere.’
‘Pita Ji, what are you saying? Where has the Kishalaya gone? He is at home only.’
‘What you said, is he at home?’
‘Yes, Pita Ji. He is sleeping.’
‘Thank God, I have been got upset by searching him and that naughty is sleeping here in fun.’
Grandpa’s face smiled. He could not control himself and reached the little Kishalaya. Gently lifted the cover from the face, stared for a moment and then took a deep breath and sat down on the comfortable chair.
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