Adaptation

In the western coast of India and closer to the Arabian sea, a small hamlet flourished primarily due to trade in spices, both within the country and outside.The hamlet had a king and his word was the last word. Anyone who dared to challenge the king was excommunicated from the hamlet. The requests from the king could range from simple to bizarre. The subjects were paid well and the people closer to the king were given a share of the treasury and much of it was in gold and precious stones. In return, they lavished praises at him. No one dared oppose the king, for fear of being excommunicated. The neighboring hamlets were poor and also bore the brunt of famine and other calamities. They would have no where to go. Hence they thought it is better to bear the tyranny rather than being ostracized. Those who were close to the king were all the more vociferous in their support since they they had got used to the luxury and feared losing them. They were also too old to go to another hamlet besides being aware that the other hamlets live in penury.

At times, the king came with some bright ideas but more often than not, they were few and far between. Today's task was very different. The king wanted a green cow and it had to be found within a week, starting from Monday. All families left their daily chore of farming or other work related to it and went in search of a green cow. Farming suffered and production declined. Three days had passed and no one could find a green cow. Several bright ideas came and most of it came from the people who were close to the king. Those close to the king had said in one voice at the time of the request "leave it to us and we will definitely find a green cow for you O great King". Now they did not know what to do. One said that they could put plant dye on a light colored cow. This was opposed no sooner than the idea was generated. People said that when the rain falls and in course of time, the dye would wash off and the cow's original color would be exposed and if it comes to light that a dye had been applied, the entire family or group which conspired the plot would get excommunicated. Several other bizarre ideas came but none of it was practical. The seventh day was fast approaching and finally the dreadful day did come but they could not get a green cow. An hour before the appointed time, the village fool was called . He was told to tell the King that they did get a green cow but on the way to the palace which was quite far away, the cow died and they had to bury it and that was the only green cow in the land. The fool went to the king and uttered exactly what was told to him. They king got very upset and had the fool lashed. All the subjects looked away and more so those beneficiaries who were closest to the king.

In the evening over fire, all the villagers sat and heaved a sigh of relief feeling that the storm had blown over until the next bizarre demand came. They brought the fool to one of the huts and applied soothing balms and expressed words of comfort. The rich who were beneficiaries of the king’s largesse had a feast that night and there was much merry making. Some of them heard the wailing of the fool as he nursed his injuries.