DETER MIN ATION 53

said. "I would have broken every bone in your body by now!
what a strange creature you are! Who would have thought
an animal could guard its rights so zealously? Come you
stubborn fellow, let me return you to your owner."
 IDGAH

Id has come a fullthirty days after Ramzan

What a beautiful morning it is! The green
fields, the blue sky, the dazzling sunshine,
all seemn to be celebrating the advent of
Id.
The entire village is full of hustle and
bustle. Preparations to go to the Idgah are
in full swing. Someone's kurta lacks a button. He runs to his
neighbour's house to borrow needle and thread. Someone else's
leather shoes have grown too hard to wear. He runs to the
oil press for some oil to grease and soften the leather.
The bullocks are being hastily given their fodder because
it will be afternoon by the time folks return from the ldgah.
It is a good three miles from the village, to say nothing or
the time that will be taken in meeting and chatting with scOres
of people.
The boys are the most excited. Some of them had fasted
once, during the month of Ramzan, but only till noon. Others
hadn't even done that. But it did not matter. Fasts were rol
theaged. For youngsters, Id was the important thing and today
the long-awaited day had finally arrived. Why
wasn't everyone
 DGAH S5
hurrying to go to the Idgah? The boys didn't care if there
was milk and sugar in the house to cook seviyan, the id
speciality. They were only concerned with eating it!
Thev jingled the coins in their pockets, took them out
. cOunt them and replaced them joyfully. Mehmood had
twelve pice. Mohsin had fifteen! With this treasure they were
going to buy countless thingstoys, sweets,
bugles, balls and
what not.
The happiest boy of all was Hamid. He was a poor, ill
clad. skinny child of four or five, whose father had died last
vear of cholera, and whose imother had wasted away and died
ofGod knows what disease. Now Hamid slept in the lap of
his old grandmother Amena and was as happy as he had
always
been. He believed his father would return with sackfuls of
money. His mother, who had gone to Allah's abode, would
come back with the loveliest gifts for Hamid. Then he will
have much more than Mohsin, Noorey and Sammi!
Hamid runs into the house and tells his grandmother not
to worry. He will be among the first to return from the Idgah.
Amena's heart is aching. How can she let her little one go
alone? What if he gets lost? How will a mite like him trudge
three miles barefoot? She cannot go with him. A poor womnan
ike her has yet to collect the ingredients for making seviyan
hnd borrowing takes much more time than buying.
Ihe villagers finally leave for the ldgah,the children running
ahead. Hamid is with them. Closer to the town, they walk
past the houses and the gardens of the rich, the law Court,
the college, the chub, the police station-all viewed by the
children with the greatest curiosity.
As thhey approach the ldgah, they catch up with other groups
56 PREMCHAND

of people heading the same way. People in tongas, Deorl.

in cars, people on foot, all brightly dressed and agog o
anticipation.
Suddenly they spot the Idgah. It is shadedTby tamarind trees
and its cemented floor is covered with sheets. There are rous
upon rows of worshippers stretching well beyond the courtyard
of the mosque. Along with other newcomers,the people from
Hamid's village take their place in the back rows, after washing
their hands and feet. Wealth and status do not matter here
Inthe eyes of Allah, all men are equal. What a beautiful sight
it isthe simultaneous bowing of thousands of heads in prayer.
worshippers standing erect together, then bowing
down together and sitting on their knees. What an awe
inspiring and heart-warming sight it is!
The namaz is over. People meet and embrace each other.
Then they head for the toy shops and the sweet shops. The
villagers are as excited as little children. One pice for a ride
on the swing, taking you up into the air, then huring you
down to earth. And one pice for twenty-five rides on the
roundabout. Mehmood, Mohsin, Noorey and Sammi cimb
on to the wooden horses and camels and go round and
round
joyfully. Hamid stands apart. He has only three pice. He cannot
afford to spend one-third of his precious money on a
mere
roundabout.
His friends dismount and run across to
the row of toy shops.
Mehmood buys a soldier in a khaki uniform and red turban,
with a rifle on his shoulder, ready for action.
a smiling water-carrier,ready to
Mohsin buys
sprinkle water on dusty roads.
Noorey acquires alawyer. How impressive he seems, attired
in a black gown, with a gold
watch-chain and a fat law book
 IDGAH 57
.. bis band. Sammi buys a sturdy
washerwoman.
Allthese toys cost two p1Ce each, too expensive for Hamid
to buy. "They are only of clay" he tells his friends. "One fall
and they'll break!""
Vet he looks at the toys with envious eyes and wants to
play with them. But boys are not very generous, especially
when their toys are new. Hamid's desire remains unfulfilled.
From the toy shops, the boys move to the shops selling
mithai. Here one of the boys buys reweries, the other buys
gulab-jamuns and a third buys sohan halwa. Hamid buys
nothing. He has onlythree pice to spend. But he cannot help
friends.
eyeing the sweets in the hands of his
reweries."
"Here, Hamid," says Mohsin. "Have some of my
not sure. Nevertheless
Does Mohsin really mean it? Hamid is
stretches out his hand. Mohsin pops the reweries into his
he crestfallen.
mouth and smirks. The others laugh. Hamidis
own stores and some
some hardware
After the mithai shops are
jewellery. The boys are not attracted to these.
shops selling stops before a pile of chimtas,
But Hamid
Ihey mnove on.
grandmother doesn't have a pair of tongs. Each
Iron tongs. His burns her fingers. How happy
chapatis,she
time she makes of tongs for her! There will be
apair
She will be if he buys house.Toysare worthless in comparison.
Oneuseful thing in the broken.
You tire of them or they get who are all drinking sherbet
friends
Hamid looks at his they are! They have eaten so
nearby stall. How greedy And then they
say,
dt a me one.
sweets and not even given us. Now I lsee how
tany for
us, do this for us. do that eat their sweets.
Play with anvthing! Let them
to do
yone asks me I wont.
boils and pimples.
Ihey'll break out in
 58 PREMCHAND

When Amma sees the chimta I have bought for

will shower me with athousand blessings. She will her, she
run and
show the chimta to our neighbours. The whole village will
talk about it. Everyone will say, What agood boy Hamid
is!"
If these boys want to laugh at me for
buying a chimta.
let them. When Abbajan and Ammi come with lots of
tovs
and sweets then I'll be the one who will laugh!
Hamid asks the shopkeeper, "How much is this chimta?"
"Six pice," is the reply.
Hamid's heart sinks. But he says boldly, "Three pice. Take
it or leave it."
To his surprise, the shopkeeper gives- the
chimta to him.
Hamid struts up to his friends, with the chimta on his
shoulder.
"What will you do with this, you fool?" laughs Mohsin.
Hamid flings his tongs on the ground and challenges Mohsin
to throw down his clay
water-carrier, in the same way. Mohsin
cannot. The toy will break.
"Do you think this chimta is some kind of
toy?" sneers
Mehmood.
Why not?" says Hamid. "Put it on yoår
becomes a gun. Hold it in your hand, it becomesshoulder,
it
the
singing fakirs use instead of cymbals. One hit from my tongs
and all your toys will break. But none of chimta
them can harm my
ion-hearted warrior!"
Sammi is impressed. He offers to exchange the
he bought for eight pice with tambourine
Hamid's tongs.
refuses. His tongs have fascinated all the boys. ButBut Hamid
they do? They have no money left and what Ca!
return home. anyway it is time
Hamid is a clever fellow! Now bis friends knoW
 IDGA H 59

he didn't spend his money earlier.

why like my water-carrier can!"
"Your chimta can't ill water
coNs Mohsin, desperately trying to regain his superiority.
water-carrier will
One shout from my tongs and your
hiis door:" asserts Hamid.
come rUNNng to
to his rescue.
Mohsin has 1no answer. Mehmood comes
wrong? We'll
What if we get caught for doing something
definitely need Noorey's lawyer then." says, But
Then he
For a moment Hamid is nonplussed.
who will arrest us?
"Mehmood's soldier will" says Noorey confidently.
Come
tone is scornful.
"That poor creature?" Hamid's
see who is stronger-my chimta or Mehmood's
on then, let's
soldier!"
again."Your chimta will
Mehmood is defeated but he tries
he jeers at Hamid.
burn his face in the fire everyday"
"Only the courageous
"So what?" says Hamid promptly. hide in the house."
Your toys will
can jump into a fire!
tries again. "Our lawyer wil sit in style on a
Mehmood floor."
Your tongs will only lie on the kitchen
chair. knock your lawyer
the floor. They'll
"My tongs won't lie on rejoinder
his throat!" Hamid's
down and stuff his law down the field for him. Now
but somehow it clears
1S rather wild is the undisputed
Hamid's chimta
hoone has anything tosay.
champion! the champion. In exchange
are anxious
The boys are to handle
Hamid for his examination. What
they offer their tovs to
"I was only pulling your leg," says
beautiful toys they are! of tongs cOmpare with such life-
Hamid. "How can a pair
like toys?"
 60 PREMCHAND

But the boys are not convinced. No one, not even

can now challenge the superiority of the tongs.
On the way home, Mehmood feels hungry. His
Hamid,
him bananas. He shares them only with Hamid. father buys
It is eleven o'clock. Those who had gone to the
Just returned.
Ldgah have
The village is agog with excitement. Mohsin'
younger sister runs to him and grabs the water-carrier fron
k
his hand. As she jumps for joy, the toy slips from
her grasp
falls and breaks into pieces. Brother and sister come to
blow:
Both howl. Both are smacked by their angry
mother.
Noorey fixes a seat for his lawyer, seats him on it, and fans
him with a bamboo leaf. Is it a gust of wind or a
the fan that throws the lawyer tothe
blow from
of him. Mehmood's soldier
ground? That is the end
survives but manages to break a
leg while guarding the village.
Mehmood breaks his other
leg so that the poor man can at least sit
and do his duty in
comfort!
Hamid's grandmother Amena runs to him as soon as
hears his voice and takes him lovingly in her she
to see the
the tongs.
lap. She is startled
Hamid tells her he bought the tongs tor
three pice.
What a peculiar child! He
the whole morning and all he remained hungry and thrsty
of tongs! She upbraids him could find to buy was a pair
for his foolishness.
Hamid's feelings are hurt. In an injured voice he
day you burn your fingers while
making says,"Every
Ibought the chimta for
you."
chapatis. That is wny
Amena's annoyance melts into love. A
it cannot be love so deep that
expressed words. To think that a ittle chid
in
could be so selfless, so
generous! How must he have felt when
 "Every day you burn your fingers while making
chapatis. That is why I bought the chimta for you.
62 P REMCHAND

he saw his friends enjoying themselves! In the midst of al

that festivity, he still thought of his old grandmother!
Amena breaks down and weeps. It is strange! Hamid, the
little boy, had become Hamid the adult. Now Amena, the
old woman, has become Amena the child. Tears fall
unceasingly
from her eyes as she blesses Hamid a thousand times! Litle
Hamid! How can he understand the storm of emotions in
Amena's heart!
 KAKI

Old age is very often like a second child

hoodand old Kaki was like a very young
child. She had no interest in life except
food and no means of drawing attention
toherself except by weeping.Almost blind
and crippled, Kaki lay on the floor in her
room all day, howling if shewas left hungry
others might be
for long or denied any tasty tidbits that the
eating.
sons
Kaki had been a widow for many, many years. Her
Now her only surviving
had grown up, grown old and died. and to whom
house she lived
relative was a nephew in whose
gifted all her money. He had promised to care tor
she had Kaki's money came
needs. But once
her and look after all her
forgot all his promises. Far from being
into his possession, he enough food to fill her stomach.
got
looked after, Kakiseldom ill-treatment?
Who was to blame for this man,tll
Budhi Ram was agood
Kaki's nephew Pandit on an old and helpless
money, especially
1t came to spending Roopa was more
God-tear1ng,
His wife
WOman like his aunt. Kaki did not mind
her harsh
was sharp-tongued.
hough she
64 PRE MCHAND

disliked her nephew's hypocrisy

words as much as she guilty about the
the callous way
Occasionally Budhi Ram felt
in which he and his family treated the old Woman whose
they were enjoying. But his guilt never translated itself
But
wealth
into any action.
parents' behavin
Budhi Rams sons, encouraged by their
teased and tormented Kakiat every opportunity. They woulA
pinch her and run away or splatter her with dirty water il
she howled and cursed them.
Only one member of BudhiRam's family had any affection
or sympathy for Kaki. This was Ladli, Budhi Ram's youngest
child. Scared of her bullying brothers, Ladli sought refuge in
Kaki's company, though this meant that she had to share
whatever she was eating with the ever-hungry old woman.
The engagement ceremony of Budhi Ranm's eldest son was
performed with great pomp and show. Shehnais played at the
door. The house was full of people for whom a grand feast
was being prepared.
Roopa was busy supervising the cooking. There were huge
frying pans on the fire in which puris and kachoris were being
fried a golden-brown. In other large vessels, spicy curries werd
being cooked. The aroma of pure ghee and freshly ground
masalas flled the air.
Old, neglected Kaki, alone in her room, smelt the
delicios
fragrance and became restless.It has grown so late'she thougn
No one has brought me any food.
by now. All the food must be Everyone must have eaten
puri!'
finished. I won't get even Oe
She felt like weeping but she did not want to
mar u
auspicious occasion by her tears. She also feared Roopa's ange
 KAKI 65

So she continued to wait silently, tormented by hunger and

So
greed. Memories of delicious,
piping-hot, crunchy puris made
her mouth water.
food, she wondered.
Whoshould she call to bring her some
two boys
little Ladli had not come near her today. The
Even
made her life miserable, but today she had not seen
always have told her what was
least
either of them. They could at
being cooked.
go and see for herself? Puffed-up golden puris
Why not her hand
might even get to hold one in
Crisp and softshe
it was!
and see how well-made forward with her
the floor, pushing herself
Squatting on where the food
painfully Kaki crept over to
hands slowly and near the large frying
cooked. She settled herself
was being
eagerness and boldness of a hungry child.
pan with the Roopa was almost run off
Meanwhile, Budhi Ram's wife
hundred and one things to attend to.
her feet. She had a
keepingan eye organizing
on the stores,
Supervising the cooking,
responsibility. Roopa was already feeling
everything was her squatting ner the
of Kaki
harassed and exhausted. The sight irritation burst forth
her tiredness and
tood infuriated her. All
in aflood of angry words. hissed, grabbing the frail old
"Couldnt you wait?" she been fed
her. "Even the guests haven't
Woman and shaking
we starve you, the way you are hang1ing
yet. People willthink for being such a greedy old
over the food. Shame on you and wait. You will
quietly
Woman! Now go to your room eatsand not aminute
family
when the rest of the
8e your food that you must be served betore
goddess
Detore. You are no
everyone else"
66 PREMCHAND

Kaki did not uttera single word of protest or shed a

wassingllefte
tear. Roopas words had been so harsh that she
completely stunned. Quietly she crept back to her ro
The food was cooked. The guests sat down to eat.
At
little distance from them, the servants of the guests also a
down to eat. sat
In her room, Kaki was regretting what she had
was not angry with Roopa. She was sorry that she had
done. She
so hasty. How could she have expected to be fed beforebeen tha
guests? Now she would wait patiently till she was called
Butwaiting on an empty stomach was not easy. Every
minute
seemed like an hour! Kaki began to imagine the
scene-the
leaf-plates laid out in rows, guests washing their hands before
eating, then the food being served.
She hummed a little tune as she
imagined what she would
eat. First, puris with spicy vegetables, then
and sugar! Kachoris would taste puris with curd
wonderful with
Never mind what anyone said, she would eat spiced curd!
all, it wasn't every day that puris
her fill. After
were cooked in the house.
It appeared to Kaki that a long
time had
seemed quiet.She was convinced that all thepassed. Everything
and gone. Now it was tine for guests had eaten
the family to sit down and
eat. Nobody had come to call
her, that was true. Roopa
still be annoyed with her. must
She must be thinking Kaki would
come on her oWn to have her
she must be invited. meal. She was no guest that
Once again Kaki dragged her old and
the food. But how useless body towar
Wrong she
hunger had misled her! Far fromhad been! How the pang
still busy eating! Some were having gone,theguests
licking their fngers, others we
 4

her room, smelt the

Old, neglected Kaki, alone inbecame
delicious fragrance and restless.

puris, or smacking their lips over a tasty tidbit.

Woling down
looked up in alarm and disgust as the misshapen figure
1hey midst.
of the old woman crept into
their
Budhi Ram was holding a large tray of pur1s. As
Pandit with
down. His face contorted
put it
SOOn as he saw Kaki. he dragging her mercilessly
on his aunt and
ager. He pounced her dark room. Kaki
fainted.
threw her back into
Dy the hands
68 PREMCHAND
Meanwhile,the guests finished eating. The members of the

family had their food. The servants ate. Everyone had their
thought for Kaki, except little Lad
one spared a
ill but no everything with great bewildermentweraand
who had watched understand why her parents
sorrow. She could not
Kaki. Why didn't they give Kaki asas r:any puris
harsh with
wanted? The food wasn't only for the guests, was it?
as she
what if Kaki ate before the guests did?
And so
console her, but fear of
Ladli wanted to go to Kaki and
did not eat her shoes
her mother's anger held her back. She
of dolls for Kaki
of puris but hid them in her basket
Kaki will be so happy when she sees the puris, Ladli thought
joyfully. She will hug me and bless me over and over again!
It was eleven p.m. Roopa lay asleep in the courtyard. Lying
next to her, Ladli was finding it impossible to sleep. The
excitement of surprising Kaki with the puris, was keeping
her awake. When she was convinced that her mother would
not wake up, she took her doll basket and tip-toed to Kakis
room.

When Kaki recovered consciousness,she found everything

absolutely quiet. She realized that the festivities were all over.
Everyone must have eaten and gone to sleep. Everyone excep
me, Kaki thought sadly. Hai Ram! What an unfortunate
creature I am! No one in this house cares if I am
aive O
dead! What did I ask for except a little food? Just for
Iwas cursed in front of the entire tna
to my room lhke an animal! Even
neighbourhood and draggeu
me. All of
then, no one took pity ou
them must have eaten their fll, but
me even a morsel! no one gave
Tears ran down her withered cheeks, but she did not utter
 KAKI 69

a
sound for ffear of disturbing the guests who remained in
the house.
said softly, "Kaki, get up, Ihave brought
Just then avoice
purisfor you.'
reached
It was Ladli. Overjoyed, Kaki sat up at once and
forthe little girl
in the darkness. Sitting in Kaki's lap, Ladli
for her.
handed her the puris she had saved
asked.
"Did your mother send these?" Kaki
Ladli.
"No, they are my share," said
stomach
In ffve minutes,the doll basket was empty."Is your
full now, Kaki?" the child asked innocently.
day hotter. In the
Alight shower of rain only leaves a hot
eaten had only whetted
same way, the few puris she had just
Kaki's appetite.
hungry. Fetch some
"No, my child," she said. "I am still
more food from your mother:."
beat me" said Ladli.
"She is asleep. If I wake her up, she'll and
a few crumbs
Kaki groped in the doll basket, found
longer control herself.
swallowed them all. Now she could no
of right and wrong.
Her hunger overwhelmed all thoughts where
my hand," she said to Ladli, "and take me
"Hold
the guests had their food.!"
led Kaki to the pile of dirty leaf-plates. Poor, hungry,
Ladli devouring whatever
began picking up and
desperate Kaki! She
the plates, with great relish.
ittle bits of food were left on Ladli was nolonger
At that momenttRoopa opened her eyes.
Roopa looked around and what she saw horrified
oy her side.
her!
family, abrabmin lady, reduced to searching
An elder of the
for crumbs like a beggar!
70 PREMC HAN D

Roopa was filled with shame and remorse.

What
done, she thought. Today we fed hundreds of people have 1
hundreds of rupees. But the very person whose spent
wealth has
given us such a comfortable life, I treated I
an animal! Far from getting respect and attention, she would
even get a meal, and all because she is old, helplessdid and not
dependent on us!
Praying to God for forgiveness, Roopa opened the store
and flled a tray with generous helpings of all that had been
cooked that day.
"Come, Kaki" she said.Come and eat. I have committed
a great sin today. Forgive me and ask God not to
punish me."
Like a child who can be happy in an instant,
forgetting
all the wrongs done to it, Kaki forgot all that had happened
and began joyfully to have her meal.
A contrite Roopa sat close by, attending to Kaki and
enjoying every bit of her happiness.
 THE PRICE OF FREEDOM

Lala Daudayal was walking home from

court one day when hesawa strange Sight.
A poor Muslim was trying to sell his cow.
He was surrounded by many people, all
eager to buy the animal. Some were
thrusting money into his hands. Others
were trying to lead the cow away. But after
one look at these prospective buyers, the poor Muslim only
clutched the cow's tether more tightly.
The cow was a beautiful, sleek creature who seemed well
looked after. Near her frolicked a healthy calf. Their owner,
in contrast, looked malnourished and very unhappy at having
to part with his beautiful animal.
Lala Daudayal went up to him and asked,"Is this cow for
sale?"
"Yes, huzoor, she is" was the reply.
Where are you from? What is your name?" asked the Lala.
My name is Rehman, huzoor. I live in Pachauli village."
"How much milk does your animal give?"
"Three seers at a time. huzoor. She is so gentle, even a
child can milk her! My children play near her all day long
 "Huzoor, beinga Hindu you willsurely take good care
of this cow."

She has never so much as moved her head in their direction.

"Does anyone here know you?" Lala Daudayal wanted to
be sure that the cow was not stolen property.
The Muslim shook his head. "Who would know a poor
man like me, huzoor?" he asked sadly.
"How much will you sell your covw for?" was the Lalas
next question.
 IHEP RICE OF FREEDOM 73

Rehman asked for fifty rupees. Lala Daudayal wished to

pay only thirty. Finally both men agreed on a price of thirty
offered
five rupees. As Rehmnan followed Lala Daudayal, a man
offered him
him thirty-six rupees for the cow and another
forty! But Rehman refiused both offers.
diffidntly
After they had walked a short distance, he said
will surely
to Lala Daudayal, "Huzoor, being a Hindu you wanted
other men who
take good care of this cow. All the
want to sell her to them,
to buv her were butchers. Idid not
if you had not come,
even if they offered me fifty rupees. But
one of them. I need money
Iwould have had to sell her to
huzoor, to pay the zamindar whose fields I cultivate.
desperately, The more
excellent animal?
Why else would I sell such an
feed her, the more miBk she will give you. Her
oil-cake you ast request,
rich as a buffalo's. One
milk is as sweet and as her."
men never to beat
huzoor, please tell your amazement.He found
stared at Rehman in
Lala Daudayal concerned
that a man so poor could be so
it hard tobelieve a so-called virtuous man
knew many
about an animal! Lalaji cow to a butcher rather
unhesitatingly sell his
who would on the price he paid for it!
than incur even a fractional
loss
poverty-stricken labourer who was willing
And here was this rupees, just to ensure that his
five valuable
to take a loss of hands of a butcher! Could such
into the
cow did not fall exist in one so
poor?
magnanimity, such self-denial Daudayal paid Rehman thirty
Lala
On reaching home, Looking lovingly at her tor the last
cow.
five rupees for his
his leave.
time, Rehman took
Pachauli village. That year, after
lived in
Many Muslims undertook the Haj plgrinage.
long time, several of them
a
74 PREMCH AND

aged mother expressed a great desire to go with

Rehman's but Rehman did
them, He could ill-afford to send her, did not
what was possibly his mother's last wish
refiuse
wantHetobegan to wonder from where he could borrow Some
t
need at least two
money for his mother's journey.She would
hundred rupees. The only money-lenders he knew of were
untrustworthy and unscrupulous men. Rehman decided
g0 to Lala Daudayal. He had heard that the Lala lent
lent money
to poor farmers like him, charging an annual interest of twenty.
five to thirty rupees on every hundred. He had also heard
that Lala Daudayal showed no mercy to those who did nÍt
pay their debts on time, but took thenn straight to court.
Nevertheless, he had a reputation for being honest in his
dealings. He did not try to cheat the illiterate peasants.
Rehman thought the matter over for a few days. What if
he could not return the Lala's money on time? Whatever little
he owned would then go towards paying his debt. The Lala
would show him no mercy. What should he do? He had to
get the money for his mother.
Plucking up courage, Rehman finally went to Lala Daudayal
and asked him for a loan of two
hundred
"You sold me your cow, didn't you?" the rupees.
"I did, huzoor" said Lala asked him.
Rehnnan.
"I will loan you tlhe money" said Lala
want it back with interest on the Daudayal. "But 1
Now tell me, when will you aereed date. s that clear?
return the money?
Rehman did some mental calculatious
two years, sarkar." and then said,
"If you do not return the
on it will go up to money i) twovears, the nterss
thirty-two rupces for every Iundred.
 THE PRICE OFFREEDOM 75

Remember that. I will not take you to court. That much

allowance I will make for you."
«As vou wish, sarkar" Rehman said humbly. My fate is
in your hands."
He came homewith one hundred and eighty rupees. Twenty
rupees had been spent on the drafting of the agreement and
other formalities.He sold some gur that was lying in the house
for twenty odd rupees and a day or two later:, took his mother
on the pilgrimage.
Two years passed. Lala Daudayal sent for Rehman. "Where
is my money?" he enquired sternly.
Rehman looked even more careworn than ever. "Huzoor,"
he said, "I am in great trouble. Ever since she returned from
the pilgrimage, my mother has been unwell. Iam spending
all my time and money on her treatment. Till she lives, I must
look after her, huzoor. This year the crop has been poor. The
sugarcane crop withered for lack of water. So did the hemp.
Ihave not even had the time to prepare the land for the rabi
crop. Allah knows what days of misfortune I am passing
through. Huzoor, I will return every paisa I owe you, but
give me another year to do so.
The interest willgo up to thirty-two rupees per hundred,"
said Lala Daudayal.
"As you wish, huzoor" said Rehman.
dying. There was
He returned home to find his mother
for him to receive one final loving blessing from
only time
her and then she was no ore.
some money
Grief-stricken, Rehman managed to borrow
his neighbours for his mothers funeral. But there were
from
other duties to be performed which cost money
many
 76 PREMCH AND

donation to be made in her name, a grave to be

the community to be fed and readings from the
be arranged.
constKorructaned,to
This was his last chance to serve his mother.
she would only renmain a memory. Had Ithe Henceforth
means, thought
Rehman, what would I not do for the peace of my mother' k
departed soul? Whatever my circumstances, Imust at least do
the minimum.
Even for that he would need to borrow more
money. Who
should he go to? Lala Daudayal would not lend him any
Yet what was the harm in trying? My plight more.
might move him,
thought Rehman. For a rich man like him, lending a few
hundred rupees would be no hardship.
But as he walked tothe Lala's house, a
sense of shame slowed
every step he took. It was only three days ago that he
had
asked for another year's grace to repay his old debt.
he now dare to ask for an How could
additional loan?
Daudayal refused even to talk to him or had himSuppose Lala
of the house? Then whatever pushed out
little self-respect he had would
be gone too. All these
despairing
mind but his great need drove himthoughts illed Rehman's
on.
Lala Daudayal had just returned
off his servants for not from court and was ticking
attending to their duties properly.
Seeing Rehman,,he said irritably,
I have no time to talk to you"
"What do you want now?
Rehman did not have the
he turned to leave. courage to speak. Disheartened,
Lala Daudayal took pity on him,
in a softer voice, "What is it that
called him back and said
me"
you have come for? Tell
 THE P RICE OFFREEDO M 77

Rebman's grieffbroke through his timidity. No longer able

control himself, he wept like a little child. Lala Daudayal
realized at once that his mother must have died.
"Don't weep, my good man," he said gently. "Whatever
God wills, must happen. You were there to perform your
mother's last rites. What more could you have done?"
"Huzoor, I am already in your debt,"'said Rehman, weeping.
"How can I ask you for more money? But Allah knows my
desperate state. There are duties I must perform for my dead
mother or live to regret it all my life. If I live I will return
every paisa Iowe you, sarkar, but please do not refuse me"
"You already owe me three hundred rupees;"said the Lala.
"If Ilend you another two hundred, you will owe me, along
with the interest, almost seven hundred rupees in two years.
Do you realize that?"
"Sarkar, if Allah is generous, two bighas of sugarcane should
fetch me five hundred rupees. If Allah wills it, sarkar, I will
return the full amount within the time fixed"
Lala Daudayal gave Rehman another two hundred rupees.
Those who knew the Lala were surprised at his unexpected
generosity.
The state of farming is like that of a child. If the weather
gods are kind to it, it flourishes. If not, then even fields full
of ripening crops can, ike a faithlessfriend, deceive the farmer.
Too much rain or too litle, birds, insects, flood and fire
a farmer has many enemies.
Rehman worked harder than ever before. His wife and
children worked with him and the sugarcane in his fields grew
elephant high. The whole village marvelled at the excellen
crop.