Friend Or Foe
The dark and scary night with fierce winds and heavy showers would have discouraged many from venturing out. But not King Vikram. He set forth on his given task in the rain. Lightning and the howls of jackals did not scare him. He climbed the ancient tree again and brought the corpse down. Throwing the corpse over his shoulders, he began to cross the cremation ground. Suddenly, the vetal that possessed the corpse said: “O king, I know you are doing this to help one of your well-wishers. But remember that the well-wisher might one day accuse you of cheating him. Listen to the story of two friends.”
Basudev and Padmanabh grew up in the same village and were very good friends. Both got married and had sons. Padmanabh’s wife died all on a sudden and there was no one to look after the infant boy. Within a short time, Padmanabh also fell seriously ill. Before dying, Padmanabh told Basudev: “Please take care of my son, Ravi after my death”. “Don’t you worry my friend. I promise to look after Ravi like my own son”, said Basudev.
Padmanabh died. Basudev, true to his word, brought up Ravi like his own son, Shekhar. He treated both boys in the same manner. In fact, Ravi felt that he was Basudev’s son. After the two boys completed their studies in the local school, Basudev sent them to the town for further studies. Since Shekhar was older than Ravi by a year, Basudev sent their monthly allowance to Shekhar.
Unfortunately Shekhar fell into bad company and took to gambling and drinking. Ravi tried to warn and advise him but in vain. Ravi thought of telling Basudev about the change in Shekhar’s attitude and lifestyle, but on second thoughts he did not. After all, Basudev had been a good father to him and he did not want to sadden him. Shekhar had all the money and gave him his share every month, so he did not want to make him angry.
Ravi and Shekhar came home for a holiday. Shekhar gave Basudev the impression that he was doing well in his studies and all was well. However Ravi kept quiet.
The day the two boys were to return to the town, a wad of notes went missing from Basudev’s box. Everyone thought that one of the two boys must have taken the money. They were questioned. Instantly, Shekhar pointed his finger at Ravi: “Ravi, you could have borrowed money from me instead of stealing my father’s money! This is too bad!”
Ravi was too shocked to protest immediately. He knew that Shekhar had stolen the money and he was about to protest and accuse him. However he saw Basudev standing nearby, overhearing their conversation.
Basudev looked at Ravi with disappointment. “I’m sorry for you, Ravi. Keep the money since you need it. But I’ve lost all faith in you!” he exclaimed.
The two youths went back to town. Shekhar resumed his evil habits. One night, he had a quarrel with a gambler in the latter’s den. There was a duel and a strong blow from Shekhar killed the gambler. Shekhar was arrested. Basudev was informed of the incident and he came rushing to the town. He came to know that Shekhar had gone astray. In the court, Ravi declared that Shekhar was with him at the time of the gambler’s death. But the judge did not accept the alibi. There was overwhelming proof of Shekhar killing the gambler. The judge convicted Shekhar to a long term in prison.
People who knew that Ravi had tried his best to save Shekhar were all praise for him.
SoRavi expected that Basudev, too, would be pleased with him. But, to his surprise, Basudev looked very upset. “Don’t show your face to me. You have become a foe to a friend. You cheated me and your friend; you’re an enemy to society! And your crime is unpardonable!” Saying this, Basudev returned to his village leaving behind both the young men to their fates.
The Vetala concluded the narration and challenged King Vikram: “Is it not surprising that Basudev should be furious with Ravi? Wasn’t Ravi a gentle youth who, even though he suffered at the hands of Shekar, put up with him so patiently? Didn’t he try to save Shekhar from punishment? How can Basudev’s strange accusation be justified? Answer me, O King, if you can. If, however, you keep quiet, despite knowing the answer, your head will roll down your shoulders”. King Vikram answered immediately. “Basudev’s wrath was entirely justified. Every word he said was applicable to Ravi. Had Ravi been a true well-wisher of Shekhar, he would have brought his waywardness to Basudev’s knowledge. He ought to have done so, as he himself had failed to mend Shekhar’s ways. He kept quiet because the purse strings were in Shekhar’s hands. By allowing his friend to go astray, he proved himself, a foe. He was sure that it was Shekar who had stolen Basudev’s money. His silence was a sign of cowardice. It was in a sense, treachery, too, for he betrayed the faith that Basudev had in him. His false statement before the judge showed that he did not hesitate to mislead the course of justice. Law and justice are some of the pillars on which society rests. By uttering a lie in the court, which is perjury and punishable too he proved himself an enemy to society”.
No sooner had the king given his answer than the vampire, along with the corpse, gave him the slip! King Vikram drew his sword and went after the vampire.
No comments:
Post a Comment