Birth of a Hero by Munmun Samanta

"Anis, beta some people have come to visit you."

"Coming, Papa."

"Who are they?"

"My followers", He blurted out as he darted away.

Old cobbler Moupal tried to recover the words to their meaning, “my followers"! He could not understand how a man like Anis, a cobbler’s son could have followers. In their poverty-stricken humble life 'followers' was a heavy term. They always had companions like them, hungry, poor, shrunken-faced, wrinkled, furrowed glaring for any news of donation or Govt. plan to fill their ever-starved belly. Anish was his son and how could he tread a different track living in this hungry world? Moupal's baffled brain could not make it out. So he came out on the veranda. Early evening was welcoming the new stars of God and man.

There were seven people like them. Their sunken checks and hollowed eye sockets gave Moupal a little confidence. He joined them silently.

"So, Anis you are our leader, we people of seven villages will vote for you and help you to win. No one can change it."

"I know, I know it certainly. I've faith in you." Anish declared, raising his head towards the sky as if to scrutinize the timid peeping moon that hesitated to rise in fear of man. Maybe she was afraid of smelling the oncoming storm- the birth of a leader.

" Nothing can stop me, I know. I feared none, but the flood. Then the money sponsored for us will be cut in that emergency and we shall be able to buy a few people on our side."

"Don't worry about that. The local ministry has already promised to be on our side and we have started collecting excise. We will squish people till we accumulate the heap and then there are other big sources you know."

"Yeah, I know. But we have to stock enough weapons. Our arsenal must be full. We cannot leave any chance to them."

"The victory is our destination and we will reach it."

"Then our belly will be full and I promise to donate at least one Samsung galaxy to every family."

"Is it a good brand? My son was nagging for one. And you know how costly they are."

"Not more precious than you my followers."

" Our children will be happy to get them, they can play games and watch the beautiful world with stunning heroes and heroines. It will be great fun."

"But how can they master the device if they have no education? "

"This does not need any education. They can do it instinctively. They will watch it and just keep following the instructions."

"Then they will forget the hunger, the pain, the frustration of the human heart. They will be all happy and smart- our young generation."

"Wow! You are our leader. We will die for you."

"I'll do everything for your enjoyment, just make sure the anti-party gets a real bludgeoned if they try to stop us."

"Hail to Anish. Hail to our leader. Hail to our Hero"