Our Favourite Indian Stories

by Khushwant Singh

  'Chalapati, people in your town are no innocents. They have waylaid the train carrying water and have emptied all the tankers.'

  'What is wrong in that? Some daredevils have looted the train— not for money or goods— just for drinking water.'

  'We first thought of getting water by ship from Orissa but the Estimates Committee said that the price of doing so would be exorbitant. Then we thought of getting it by railway wagons but your townsfolk robbed us of the water intended for us. Now that transporting water by railway track has been ruled out and we wanted to avoid a law and order problem, we have devised a new method,' said Jagannath.

  'What new method?'

  Chalapati was taken aback for a moment but kept quiet, as restraint was the lesson he had learnt after joining the legal profession. That night he patiently heard his brother-in-law's narration of the new scientific method of driving clouds. The method adopted was similar to driving cattle. The clouds were made to obey the orders of the customers. Chalapati carefully assimilated all that his brother-in-law had said with enthusiasm. Next morning, he closely observed the two 'planes and the black clouds. That very afternoon he left for the State Capital.

  Within a fortnight, Chalapati could successfully persuade the State Government to file a suit against the neighbouring State, alleging that they had been wrongfully stealing their lawful clouds in a crafty manner. By doing so, they had been reaping the benefits of rain water by depriving the aggrieved State of its natural right of getting water from the clouds which gathered within their territory and within the boundaries of their own State. The neighbouring State was forcibly robbing their clouds to enjoy the benefit of rainwater. This was outrageous, atrocious and highly immoral behaviour on the part of a responsible government. He prayed to Their Lordships to restrain the neighbouring State government from this gross violation of their natural rights. With misconduct and misuse of scientific knowledge they had been depriving their town and their people of the natural enjoyment of God's Rainfall.

  'The Offender is a neighbouring State and if the case is filed in that State, we may not be able to get an impartial judgement due to pressure of public opinion' was one of the points mentioned in the plaint.

  The respondent pointed out: 'This case cannot be tried outside our State's jurisdication as an accusing finger has been shown towards us. The neighbouring State is hurling a lot of allegations against us. In modern times, adopting scientific methods is no offence. We plead 'Not Guilty'.'

  This line of argument was advanced by both the States and argued to its logical end. After patiently listening to a series of arguments quoting several precedents, both the High Courts thought it fit to refer the matter to an Apex Court at New Delhi. Thus, the two High Courts washed their hands off the ticklish problem of deciding the rightful owner of the clouds in the sky. To whom did they belong? Clouds are not stationary; they do not flow like rivers within a geographical boundary. They appear in the sky in a particular season, taking on different shapes and simply gallop off on their way. They do not obey any man-made laws.

  We have border disputes, river-water disputes, boundary disputes between countries, maritime rights of the sea and navigable rights of air space. These are all well defined. Disputes go to the International Court at Hague or to the United Nations at New York. There is a clear understanding about the utilisation of Outer Space as well. The Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Milky Way, Air, Water, Earth, Sky — to whom do they belong? The Sun God and Rain-God are the most ancient of gods. Clouds are said to be the Chariots of Rain-God. The rivers and the waterways belong to a country or a region. But what about rain — the gift of clouds?

  Law became helpless in the matter. There were simply no precedents for the advocates to quote. When people in a particular border-town were experiencing water scarcity and purchasing water from nearby places to make both ends meet, was it justifiable on the part of a neighbouring State to spill carbonised crystals on the driven clouds to make them pour out rain water?

  'Nothing wrong in Cloud Seeding. We have spent a lot of money in inviting the scientists and making this experiment a success. We have evidence of the huge amount spent on this project. It is no offence. We are within our rights to give the benefit of scientific advancement to our people. The allegation that we stole the clouds is baseless. Clouds never stay at a particular place — they drift perpetually.' That was the defense of the respondent.

  The learned Judges of the Apex Court were in a fix. No national or international law could enlighten them on this particular case. They were not unaware that the aggrieved town had natural justice on its side and the arguments advanced by the defense had their own merit. They had spent a lot of money for Cloud Seeding. Enterprise, enthusiasm, excellence and scientific advancement were on their side. They did not hide any basic facts. Nor did they admit the allegation of theft.

  'If scientific advancement is to be labelled as stealing, then we admit our guilt,' was their gallant admission.

  The judgement had to be delivered and the entire nation was anxious about what the verdict would be.

  'What a pity that Man has come to this pathetic plight of stealing rain clouds! What is the reason and what are the circumstances for such a steep downfall? Continents, countries and States within States—these are all at the mercy of Mother Earth,

  Mother Earth is one and indivisible. The sects, the rivers, the mountains, the forests, the air, water, sky, light, sun, moon and stars — all these belong to mankind and to all living species. Let not Man think all this is intended only for him. In his pride and pettiness, how often does he think that there is none to beat him? The fruits of Mother Earth are for one and all.

  Who is responsible for this water scarcity and drought? Man, He cuts trees unashamedly for private gains and then experiments with artificial rain. Why doesn't he allow the natural phenomenon to benefit him in its own way? Stop deforestation! Grow more and more trees, instead of working as slaves in concrete jungles. If we look at Mother Earth with understanding, compassion and love, within a decade we will have plenty, instead of scarcity.

  We find both the States to be culprits. We order them to plant a few thousand trees in the border area of the two States and report to us periodically of the progress made.'

  TAMIL

  The Journey

  Indira Parthasarathy

  The sound of the newspaper landing on the verandah woke up Babu. It was daybreak and the golden sunlight was streaming in through the curtains.

  Was it all right to read the newspaper, he wondered? What had happened in the Calcutta Test?... Couldn't listen to the commentary at all yesterday! Why didn't they have a radio in each ward in the hospital? Why did grandmother's condition have to worsen yesterday when the Test was at its most interesting stage! Does that thought mean I was not attached to her? If I had been, why wouldn't the tears come yesterday evening when she died?

  This had been my first encounter with death. It was the machines that had kept her alive.... The oxygen cylinder, the iron lung... She was quite cheerful till the day before, but the whole situation had changed yesterday.

  She couldn't speak but her eyes were eloquent. The doctors were amazed that she had not lost consciousness...

  But then she had always been a stubborn person. Had she not refused to come and live with father until last month when she had relented? Was that why I couldn't cry?

  When grandmother drew a deep breath and closed her eyes for the last time, father left the room abruptly, his handkerchief covering his face. It was much later that father could shed tears.

  Mother just stood there, looking at father. Her problem appeared to be the same as mine. The tears would not come, however hard she tried....

  What was funny was that mother's aunt, Periyamma, instantly set up a howl. No doubt she had been one of our family for years, but how could granny's death have affected her so deeply? It is indeed an extraordinary feat to be able to demonstrate strong feelings one moment, to recover the next a
nd become matter-of-fact immediately after.

  Periyamma said in a low voice, 'It is our misfortune, Lakshmi, that she couldn't live to see Babu married.... Hmmm. It was God's will.... Now, how do we remove her bangle?... Thanks to those horrible doctors and their injections, her wrists are puffed up:

  Father's friend Venu, the Income Tax Officer suggested, 'Do you have a pair of scissors? We can cut it.'

  'Ask the nurse,' said Periyamma.

  With brisk professional efficiency, the nurse was removing the oxygen cylinder and covering the body with a white cloth. It was then that she noticed the wrist. 'This bangle...'

  'Looks like we cannot take it off.... Do you have scissors?' asked Periyamma in Tamil. The nurse was a Malayalee, but knew Tamil.

  'That won't be necessary.... You take hold of her hand.... It is easy...'

  Periyamma took firm hold of the hand and the nurse pulled the bangle off.

  'It is not the modern 16-carat stuff. It is solid old gold,' said Periyamma.

  Venu weighed it in his hand.... 'Must be six sovereigns.'

  'Babu, tie this bangle up carefully in your handkerchief,' said Periyamma.

  'Are you taking the body home? Have you talked to the doctor?' asked the nurse.

  'You keep it yourself,' I told Periyamma and gave the bangle to her. Tying it up in the pallav of her sari, Periyamma answered the nurse. 'How can we take the body home? We have a rented house... And an upstairs flat at that.... Can't they keep it here? We can take it from here tomorrow morning straight for cremation.'

  'That is right.... I shall arrange with Dr. Satyanathan for it to be kept in the deep freeze,' said Venu.

  'It will be difficult to secure room in the deep freeze,' said the nurse.

  'Let me see,' said Venu.

  'Shouldn't we consult Babu's father?'... asked mother. 'I shall tell Gopal. He will understand,' said Venu and went in search of father.

  Father said nothing. He signed wherever he was directed to do so.

  His eyes were red and his face appeared swollen.

  On our way home, Venn said, 'It was not easy. Finally they threw out a post-mortem case and put the old lady in the deep freeze.... It became possible only because of my friend Dr. Satyanathan...'

  'Granny was lucky'... I wanted to say. Perhaps I would have, if father had not been with us in the car... That seemed the only possible reply to Venu.

  Father looked as if he had not slept at all last night. There he was now, sitting on his bed. He got up, walked to the window and remained there....

  Gopal came back in, and drew the curtains. How different, he thought, was today's daybreak from yesterday's. I had a mother yesterday... Today she is gone. No, not gone.... Safe in the hospital deep freeze... How on earth did I acquire a philistine like Venu for a friend? He must have mentioned the old lady's deep freeze luxury at least a hundred times yesterday... But what would I have done without him yesterday? Preparing a list of those to be informed, sending off telegrams, arranging for the priest.... I couldn't have managed all that. For Lakshmi's aunt the whole event was routine. She had been married at the age of eight, widowed at ten.... had lost her parents before she was twenty... She was the first to appear whenever there was a death in the house of any relative.... A tear or two, then free advice on whatever was to be done... Babu told me that she had sent for the priest yesterday afternoon 'just in case'... Babu is a curious chap.... Assisting with the same enthusiasm at a marriage as well as a funeral. No ceremony, auspicious or otherwise took place in Delhi without Babu. And here I was, thinking of all sorts of things when trying to think of mother.

  I do not have mother's grit. She said she would never come to Delhi and finally came only to be cremated on the banks of the Jamuna — died within a month of coming — she must have known. How many books she had read in this one month! I could not supply them fast enough for her — Four books a day — She never used to devour books like this — Why didn't I realise the meaning of her hurry?

  Is there an appointed age for the loss of one's mother? The umbilical cord is cut at birth — Does the mother-son attachment come to an end with this physical severance? Can any pair of scissors cut the chain of memories that is one's heritage? That look mother gave me before she died.... What a history was contained in that look... a history that only she and I could understand.... That one moment was to me a glimpse of eternity.... I could not stay in the room after that.... My tears were the only answer I could give to that look of mother's. When my tears stopped, she was gone.

  'I am sorry Gopal.... How sudden!' It was Raghavan's voice and Gopal turned.

  Raghavan's mother had died last month. I was not able to manage the natural voice he used now. I have always been self-conscious.

  'What was wrong with her?' asked Raghavan.

  'Did he expect a reply?' Babu started to answer him. Lakshmi was wiping her eyes now and then to keep up appearances. But not Babu. He was probably upset that this grandmother had passed away during the Test match. He did ask his mother whether he could bring the transistor to the hospital but I had glared at him... Perhaps I need not have done so.... Why doesn't it occur to people that it is the decent thing to show respect to death even if they do not grieve for an old woman?

  But then, it is only when the human being is respected as an individual that one can expect respect for the fundamental decencies of life... This is a democratic world. We function in groups. We kill each other in groups.... The achievement of the human intelligence is the power to destroy a whole city with one bomb — What a joke then to talk of respectability in the presence of death? Where's the individual man? We kill him in the name of democracy. So what if the man dies, democracy must survive!

  'Mr Gopal, I am so sorry,' it was Bhardwaj, trying to look grief-stricken.

  'She was all right last week....'

  Babu was perhaps tired of repeating the sequence of things. He went out of the room....

  Babu picked up the paper from the verandah and went into another room. India had lost the Test. He was angry. He threw the paper away.

  'Babu,' it was Periyamma. 'The priest has not turned up. Will you go and see if he is coming?'

  'He is sure to come. It is only half past seven,' said Balu, who came in just then.

  'Is he coming here or did he say he was coming to the hospital?'

  'He said he would come to the house at eight.... If he is not able to make it, he said he would go straight there to make the arrangements and then come back to the hospital.'

  'That is right. Why should be come here?'

  Balu sat down and placed his bag on the floor. He took five or six packets tied up in handkerchiefs.

  'I have brought change in four anna, eight anna, twenty paise and ten paise denominations,' he said.

  'You have put yourself to a lot of trouble,' said Periyamma.

  'Oh, no! This is nothing.... It is getting colder, isn't it? Particularly in the mornings?'

  'Yes, we felt the cold last evening while coming back from the hospital. Thank God the old lady didn't die in mid-winter. Think of having a dip in the Jamuna in December...'

  'Gopal bathes with cold water in winter also. He would have had no problem.'

  'That is a bath under the tap at home. It is different bathing in the Jamuna.... Will this change be enough today?'

  'More than enough.'

  What did that mean, thought Babu. Enough for one more death? Balu had covered his head with a muffler. His bare torso was covered with a thick towel. He was smiling when he said, 'More than enough.' Perhaps he was admiring his own feat in securing so much loose change. As he counted the change, he looked up at Babu.

  'Is he going to ask me also to count? Perhaps I had better leave the room!'

  The hall was full. There were a number of father's friends. Venu was telling Rajagopalan about the deep freeze. Was it his regret that he had not been able to manage it for his mother who had died when he was ten? Poor thing, she had not been able to derive any benefit
from her son's friendship with Dr. Satyanathan.

  There was a sudden silence. Each looked at the other.

  'Gopal!' called Balu from the next room. Father went in.

  'The priest has fixed his time for reaching the hospital — after eleven,' informed Venu.

  'It will be very warm after eleven,' said Vedagiri.

  'Have you arranged for the van?' asked Krishnamurthi, looking out of the window. Perhaps he was making sure his scooter was safe.

  'Oh yes.... From the hospital.'

  'The hospital van is better than the N.D.M.C, van. All the vans in the municipality are rickety and old,' said Rajagopalan.

  'But they go on increasing the taxes.... The water tax was 75 paise per 1000 gallons. Now it is three rupees.... Who shall we complain about this to?' grumbled Chakravarti.

  'It is not the N.D.M.C. that levies the water tax. It is the Corporation. You are all mixed up,' Vedagiri corrected.

  'Also, Rajagopalan was wrong in saying that the N. D. M. C. vans are old and rickety.... They are first class, new vehicles,' clarified Krishnamurthi.

  'Are they better than the public transport buses?' asked Chakravarti.

  'After all, it is a long distance journey. So it better be a better vehicle,' said Vedagiri.

  Babu could not help smiling. Venu saw this and said, 'Babu, please call your father.'

  In came a gentleman in a black suit. He was holding a walking stick and looked about sixty. Babu had never seen him before. Sitting down hesitatingly, he said to Chakravarti, 'I am sorry Gopal... How old was your mother?'

  Chakravarti grew red in the face. 'I am sorry. I am not Gopal.'

  'You are not Gopal? Who is Gopal here...'

  What was this and why had he come if he did not even know who Gopal was?

  Babu went inside and told his father about this stranger. Periyamma peeped into the other room, came back and explained, 'It is Vaikuntam Iyengar.... Lakshmi's mother's cousin. I sent word to him since I knew he was here.'