THE DONKEY … !

This story, I heard for the first time, when doing my post graduation at the medical college. Recently, it came to mind again when, I saw an officer in my unit misbehaving with a civilian and virtually throwing him out of his office by verbal rebuke. Here it goes:-

There was a potter in the village. He had a Donkey. The potter used to bring raw materials for his use on the back of this donkey. The potter, while bringing clay, wood etc from jungle, used to bring these in heavy loads so as to reduce the number of trips. But while going to sell his product he used to take pots and other earthen wares in small numbers, so that they remain safe, but increasing the number of trips to the market in effect. In both the conditions, the donkey used to suffer – either it had to carry the huge load or used to get beaten up, if not careful in carrying finished goods to the market. The donkey was very annoyed by the treatment it used to get at the hands of the master.

Then, there came the Deewali time. The potter decided to make statuettes of Gods like Ganesh and Laxmi. After making beautiful statuettes, he wanted to sell these at the market. The statuettes had really come out very beautifully. Every body, who saw the statuettes on the way, bowed to the Gods. Some even exclaimed about how beautiful it was. The Donkey, at the change of its fortunes but oblivious of its load and ignorant of the reason, thought people were praising his beauty and bowing to him! In the market statuettes sold at a premium and the potter made a good profit.

The Donkey was happy at the change he saw in the attitudes of people while going to the market and was flabbergasted. “May be, I am looking exceptionally appealing today”, came to its mind. Returning from market, while he came across a man, he stopped on the way, looked up, and expected the man to bow to him. That did not happen. The donkey swore at the ‘Idiot’ and then moved ahead. Slightly ahead on the way, another man came across. But, what is this? This man also did not bow to the donkey; neither did he say anything in its praise. The donkey was now furious seeing the neglect. It started to make sounds of protest, “… Hey Aeee, … Hey Aeee, … Hey Aeee!” This unexpected loud burst of cry made the potter very angry, he took out his stick and gave the donkey a good thrashing to remember for whole of its life.

This story is significant in the context of all those who have to deal directly with the public, specially the Civil Servants, who actually are ‘Servants’ and their job is to serve the public rather having the wrong notion of ruling over them by virtue of their posts. They must remember that if people bow to them, it may not necessarily be because of their innate capabilities but because of the chair they are holding. This chair is going to be removed from underneath in any case, like – after retirement or in some cases after suspension, and they should not make their situation like the donkey. It is incumbent upon them not to behave like the donkey – expecting everything naturally!

… The Unfinished Story!

When I first saw your face, I felt as if struck by lightening and then realized … you already had entered into my life!
… I wish to forget that now.
It seems familiar … like street …  the wrinkles and furrows on your face!
I can identify your voice even now, even if it be merged into a variety of sounds!
Remember me? Have we … we met somewhere?

This question creates a lump in my throat … a sense of anxiety  … despair lit large!
Though vague question, I know and hence I do not attach any importance to this … you never know what the answer is going to be.
…  just someone’s unfortunate story.
Then, why on earth did you first try to pretend to me, of having come to the conclusion that, this is not our first meeting.

I drove away these unpleasant sensations … convincing myself that it’s my sick imagination, and I can not judge you by default … !
I was getting ready for our meeting, even without being sure that I’m ready for this.
Prior to meeting with you, I just had to do one thing, … take that one flight.
But why this inexplicable feeling again …?

I hesitated and did not hurry to leave the airport building … something not so … I take myself in hand and take a step further …!

The next moment,as if, upon my person falls … a huge barrage of sounds, smells, feelings … madly beating heart … and that inexplicable feeling takes the form of clear understanding now

… yes, I was here earlier, and something deep happens inside. Something, … that I can not get … I have a feeling, there is something terrible and irreparable waiting to happen. And I can not prevent it.

From the window of a taxi out of airport, I do not see any night on the town … I feel it, barely holding back tears. I remember your scent, my love!  I can even close my eyes and my feelings at the moment are going to carry me there … near you.
But who is that … with you? The other one …?

I think I can hear snatches of conversation we had, your shouting, your decisions and then my tears and despair.
I have to open my eyes … I feel powerless, when you ask me to come back.
What for… ?
Why you could not do something to prevent this ?
I can not change it now … because I do not know who started it … whose fault it was …? I do not even know what it is now!

… I just know what it was …. something irrevocable and terrible … something about the memory!
Why should I not pickup in this birth the vague fragments of feelings,the shards of memories … that you gave me then?

I am going now to the hotel. Good bye … !
I am going to  run away from you in the very first morning flight.
You played with me yet another bad joke, but this was not the reason for my escape … the reason was you … One day I’ll come back and then tell you everything.
Wait till then … this story is not over … Wait just till eternity … YOU FOOL !!!

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… THE DYING TERRORIST (POEM)

To the earth, I was the master,

Till my greed turned into disaster;

And now I die in my youth,

For what I always thought was the truth.

 

Thirsty, drenched, lying on the ground,

Bleeding, waiting for the death to hound;

Countless others who died just before,

Are asking me the reasons for.

 

There is no flesh, there is no bone;

In its prime, my story is gone;

Above me, the sizzling sun mocks,

Deep below the pinching rocks.

 

Where are the Mullahs, where is the fun,

Where is the heaven, where are harems;

That all was a bluff, now I know,

But I had just come, and now I go.

 

 

PS:  As Christians we all hate the Islamic terrorists as well as those who brainwash them into such acts, but what about these lines?

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and they separate from you, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye, in that day and leap for joy, behold, your reward is in heaven.”

Luke 6:22