|
|
||
|
Home | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Workshop | BoloKids | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact Shop Online |
|||
|
|
|||
|
|
||
|
Home | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Workshop | BoloKids | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact Shop Online |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Stories Just then, he saw a figure move in front. He slowly opened his eyes. With a jerk he was on his feet trembling like a frog seeing a snake suddenly in front. Spilling venomous looks at him,” Is this all or, there are some more?" enquired the Forest Guard." You son of a bitch, you must have hidden them somewhere in the forest." Taken aback, Byri stood folding his arms. He was dumbfounded. “Have you licence for this rifle?" Forest Guard shot another question. Byri fell at the Guard's feet. “Speak up, you bastard!" roared the Forest Guard. “Sir, please sir, I am a poor man. I shall never do it again." he prostrated before the guard. The Guard pulled him up by his hair. "Do you think the forest is your grand father's property that you bastards can poach at will? Last night itself I heard the shot of your gun and was looking around. Now I got you, bastard!" “Please sir, I won't do it again. Promise. This was only first time. If you see me another time, slap me with your chappal." Byri's voice went hoarse. “Come on. Take this game on your back and follow me to town.! I shall book you. Six months for poaching and another six for unlicensed gun. Your itch will be cured serving that sentence. Son of a...! Unless you people are put behind bars, you don't relent. Come on. Proceed. Why? What are you staring at me for? I will kick you on your chest." People going to forest for gathering firewood flocked before Byri's hut overhearing the shouts of Forest Guard. Byri was pleading the Forest Guard for mercy. God knows when he sneaked into the crowd. Soorayya surfaced from the crowd pushing his way to the front. He asked, “what is the matter, Sir?" “Look at these sons of bitch. They are poaching every single animal in the forest. They treat it as their heirdom. He had neither licence to enter the forest nor for his gun. They take themselves for lords of government!" said the Guard pointing to the buck and the gun. “It is for this reason you don't get even a square meal. Even God turns a Nelson's eye towards you. You are an old hag. Your kith and kin are dead and all alone you are about to kick the bucket any time. What is the need for you to poach at all? Why do you hanker after money?" Soorayya railed at Byri endlessly. “Come ! on! Move! Do you hear me?" the Forest Guard commanded Byri with all the pride of his position. Soorayya intervened..... “Look here, Sir! Forgive my interference. What will become of him if you don't show mercy? He is a poor fellow. Who else can save him but you?" “What do you mean then? Want me to leave him off? What a suggestion?" “Please Sir, please wait a minute." And turning to Byri he said, 'Look here Byri, pick up that buck and walk up to my house. Let us talk it out.' Turning towards the crowd he shouted them away saying, “What are you looking here for? Useless folks! Haven't you any work? Is there any bioscope or a group dance going on here?" Byri was walking in front with the buck on his back. Walking behind, Soorayya was negotiating terms with the Forest Guard all through. They reached Soorayya's house. Soorayya took them inside and shutting the door ajar, he turned to Byri and said, “Listen Byri! Tell me if it is lawful to poach in government forest without any licence? Look at God almighty and answer me. Speak up. Don't you agree it is unlawful? Then is it not fair that you should be punished for that? Isn't it? The Guard is young and considerate. Upon my word he agreed to let you go. Pay him a hundred. Don't say another word. Agreed?" “Leave it off, Soorayya. I had better booked him." said the Guard. “No. No. No. Sir. Don't be harsh upon! him. He would die." and turning to Byri,” you fellow, what are you waiting for? Pay him. Quick!" "Where is the money with me? I shall leave the buck, if you want." “What? What did you say? You will leave the buck, isn't it? Bastard! Who are you to leave it for him? It is his anyway. Did you rear it that you now want to leave it for him? It is government property and rightfully belongs to the government man. What do you say? If you dilly dally, the Guard will change his mind. If he books a case against you, you get six months on each count and you never see the village again. You die in the jail itself. Understand?" Byri felt they were digging a grave to bury him alive. “You know it. Where is the money with me?" Soorayya pretended contemplating a while and casting a look at Byri smacking of mercy, annoyance and concern he said, “Well! Everything is my headache!" He went inside and quickly returned with a blank paper. “It is for me to mediate every silly row! Put your thumb impression on this paper. Okay? Now, you'd better go. We will meet later. If the Guard finds you here, he might change his mind. Get out fast," Soorayya pushed Byri off after getting his thumb on the paper. Relieved of whatever fascination had remained for his small holding, Byri left the place with downcast eyes. Offering prayers to Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, Soorayya secured the paper in the chest and locked it. “Hear me, Soorayya! Send the animal to Forest Ranger's house. Tomorrow is his daughter's marriage. He needs it. Give him however much, he is not satisfied and always pecks for more." The Forest Guard shook hands with Soorayya and feeling the hundred rupee note in his pocket, he left. Sitting alone in his hut, Byri wept his heart out. Without his knowledge he dropped into a slumber – a deep one at that. In his sleep.... Scorching summer at its height! The sun blazing and spitting fire; the streams, the springs and the rills in the forest – all went dry; wild fires were raging on hill tops; sun-stricken birds were dropping dead like dry leaves in the Fall. Thirst! Thirst!! Thirst!!! Ambient Thirst!!! Tigers, wolves, deer, birds and the sundry were constantly on the run – migrating to safer pastures, by the day, by the night with just one desire – to quench the wrenching thirst. Among them he found Soorayya, the Forest ! Guard and himself. Running... racing.... thirst... thirst... Byri woke up from his dream with a start. It was night fall. He was stuttering. His scratches-filled and inflamed body was aching and fever was running high. He came out. It was dark all around. The forest was also gloomy like his own life. He was spitting fire from his eyes and through his mouth. He was boiling with – fever, spite and vengeance. He took out his rifle. This time it was not for game. He was walking like a blazing sun in that darkness.
Tigers were roaring. Wolves were chasing. Like a fine-edged arrow
that cuts them to pieces, with single-minded pursuit, he was walking
into deeper woods. Byri who walked that way into the forest with his gun, never returned.
Telugu Original: Late Allam Seshagiri Rao February 12, 2006 The Week of February 12, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home | Bolography | BoloKids | Columns | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Quotes | Workshop | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact |
|
|
