Lakshmi Narayan

One bright and early day, a barefoot bhikshu in his ochre robes and begging bowl was plodding along, murmuring “Buddham sharanam gachchami,” when his path crossed that of a chamak challo firecracker, returning from an all-night blast. As they passed by, they sized each other up — the monk, in his simple garb and the girl, in her crushed party finery.

“Namaste ji,” chirped our heroine. Though saucy and cheeky, she was of good heart. The monk answered in kind. Looking at his rough garments and calloused feet, the lass was moved to ask, “What are you seeking, 0 holy one?” The monk thought for a minute before replying honestly, “The same as you, I suppose. Peace. Tranquillity. And anticipation of finding it.”

“And has it been worth it, giving up everything for this search?” asked the miss pointedly.

“I don’t know. But just like you I’m trying to find out,” he replied, taking in her tousled hair and bloodshot eyes.

The maiden gave him a cheerful wave and they proceeded on their separate ways, each mulling over what the other had said. The young lady envied the calm and serenity on the monk’s face and his look of contentment, despite his possessing nothing. She felt she had wasted her life chasing after naach-gana and resolved to do something worthwhile.

The bhikshu on the other hand was taken by the girl’s bubbly persona and felt his life lacked joie-de-vivre. He couldn’t wait to shed his habit and enjoy the pleasures awaiting a young man.

And so two disparate souls gained from each other’s counsel in ways and means not bargained for, while the Maker chuckled roguishly at the ignorant innocence of humans.

Wisdom can be gained from the most unlikely sources — and persons!

(Excerpted from Fables from Beyond, Authors Upront, 2020)

Journalist, author and animal activist Lakshmi Narayan is a former assistant editor of Femina and former editor of Eve’s Weekly & Flair

Also read: Short Story – The Kitchen King