Interesting Man

In the hot summer of June all the shops in the market were closed in the day. Sutter of some shops are half fallen. Within whom the shopkeepers are resting. A person is wandering thirsty. He breathed a sigh of relief seeing an open shop.

“Give Lala ji thirsty water,” said the weary loser person to shopkeeper sitting at the dry fruit shop. Unfortunately, the electricity also went away.

“Sit down, the servant just be eating now at home. When servant come, you will also get water and my throat will also get wet. ” shopkeeper Lala ji turned and began to air himself with a fan of his hand.

About ten-fifteen minutes passed.

“Lala ji, when your servant to back?” After ten minutes, the man, distraught with thirst and heat, spoke again.

“Just a minute…. the servant will come.” Lala ji said with ease while fanning himself.

“Lalaji, by looking at the shop, you feel that you have the immense grace of Devi Lakshmi*,” The person stated with intent to negotiate.

“We have been in the business of dry fruits, since seven generations and are flourishing.” Lala ji said while stroking his mustache.

“Why don’t you make a small water spot outside the shop for thirsty people?

“What is the benefit for me?”

“The person who will be come to drink water, may be buy dry fruits on your shop!”

“Will you buy?”

“What does Lalaji talk about?” The man laughed, “Here are not dry breads to eat, and you want me to buy expensive nuts. These all things for the richmen.”

“Run away from here, you won’t get water.” Lala ji said irritatingly.

“Lala ji, on the go I give you an advice.”

“What?”

“Elections are close, why don’t you go into politics?”

“What do you mean?”

“I have been expecting water from you for the last half an hour but you kept me engrossed in your words!” The man said in a serious voice, “This is the job of politicians!”

Now electricity also returned. The gust of cold air brought great relief and changed the atmosphere.

“You man is very interesting!” Lala ji said with a laugh, “See that in front, the servant is coming with cold water from the fridge. You go after drinking water, what do you job do, brother? ”

“I am unemployed like millions of youth of this country and crores of youth around the world.”

•••

*Devi Lakshmi — Worshiped as the wealth goddess of Hindus.

(Hindi short story of Mahavir Uttranchali “Dilchasp Aadmi” English translation by Abhishek Bhandari)