Finding A Fortune

1

“Now boy, we’ll be back by tomorrow morning. Till then don’t you dare leave your post?” Growled the pirate captain Balwant Singh.

Makshu the sentry boy dutifully nodded.

The fifteen-year-old orphan knew that in 15th century India, complete obedience was the golden rule for survival amongst pirates.

He also knew he was on guard duty because there was nothing of real value to be stolen. The dark little cave at on one side of the coast of Surat was a good spot for the pirates to stove their extra gear.

As the sun rose over the pristine sea, Makhsu knew that there was nothing much to do but wait.

The endless sounds of the sea, an occasional crawling crab, a curious seagull – these were Makshu’s only companions. Growing bored, he gazed numbly at the horizon.

That’s when he saw the wooden object rising through the waves.

What was that? Was it just a log of wood? No it looked like a crate…

Makshu swore loudly, “By Shiva’s mercy!”

It was an imperial Mughal crate bearing the emperor’s seal.

Running, leaping and diving into the sea was a matter of a moment for Makshu. Grabbing the crate floating in the sea was still quite simple. But dragging the heavyweight back to the coast - now that took some real strength, which fortunately Makshu did have. After all the pirates also made him carry their black market goods on and off the ship.

With his chest heaving exhaustedly, Makshu slumped onto the shore. Shaking off his fatigue, he immediately got up and moved towards the chest. Makshu’s trembling hands opened the wooden crate and he gazed numbly at the mounds of gold within.

The coins bore the imperial insignia of Akbar. This was the royal treasure! Enough of it for Makshu to buy the most fertile land and never have to live the life of a criminal. All his problems would be solved!

Makshu felt his pulse rise excitedly.

But he had not survived so long on a pirate ship by acting without thinking. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, the boy slumped next to the crate.

How would he buy anything? Anyone would immediately be suspicious about a poor boy having such wealth.

As the sun made its way past the horizon, Makshu thought of a way out of his predicament.

Yes, that had to be it. Lend me your strength Shiva!

Patting the sand off himself, Makshu began to patiently execute his plan. 

2

The emperor Akbar looked on with great fascination at the boy clad in tattered robes who was bowing to him.

His elderly revenues officer Arumal coughed politely.

On this winter morning, the songs of the birds from the palace gardens echoed pleasantly in the royal court. Besides the emperor’s burly guards, Arumal and Makshu were the only supplicants standing before the emperor. This was just the way Arumal wanted to conduct the interview. With minimal fuss and most importantly, when the emperor was in a good mood.

“Jahapanaah, this is the boy who found an imperial treasure crate from our ship that had sunk around a year back near the coast of Gujarat. When he brought the crate to me recently, I had the contents verified and stored in our vaults.”

Arumal now stood nervously silent. This was when the emperor’s good mood mattered.

For a moment the forty-year-old emperor gazed thoughtfully at Makshu. He then turned sharply towards Arumal.

“Now Arumal, let us be frank. How did this boy get here? Both of us know that if he had the treasure on him, any of the soldiers, nobles, or petty officers would have quite violently collected the imperial fortune.”

Arumal blushed. Suddenly his turban felt too tight.

“Your royal highness truly understands human nature only too well.”

Akbar waved his hands impatiently.

“Get to the point Arumal!”

“Err, you see your highness, this boy has been working in the royal kitchen for the last 6 months and in the stables for 3 months prior to that.

“By becoming familiar with the people around your royal highness, this boy has found his way to me, knowing that I would not display the characteristics Jahapannah has spoken about.”

Akbar smiled at the teenager.

“Boy, this is quite impressive. But have you really considered the seriousness of your actions? You know that I could still have you whipped for this delay.”

Makshu bowed to the emperor and spoke the words he had carefully rehearsed, over and over.

“Your highness I willingly accept any punishment you may bestow on me. My actions have only been to ensure that the royal treasure reaches the right hands. I completely submit myself to your justice.”

Akbar’s loud laugh boomed across the royal court.

“Well boys, I will not have it said that Akbar was ungrateful to his loyal subject. Arumal please give this boy a suitable job in our noble court along with 50 gold coins from the royal treasury.”

Akbar briskly walked out of the royal court as Arumal and Makshu bowed after him.

Rising slowly, Arumal looked at Makshu with a certain admiration.

“So Makshu, report to my revenue office later. We shall complete the formal procedures.”

Makshu smiled politely.

“Thank you, sir. You are too kind.”

Bowing again, Makshu walked away.

Only now did he allow himself to feel relieved. Only now did he wipe the sweat off his brow.

Since finding the treasure, Makshu’s life had become much more complicated. He had to carefully run away from the pirates, make the arduous journey to North Hindostan, secure a job at the royal court in Agra, understand how Mughal politics worked and all the while keep the treasure secure.

It had been an almost impossible task. But Makshu acknowledged that the pirates had trained him well.

Trying to spend the treasure would have gotten him caught. But like any experienced pirate, Makshu knew that the key to wealth wasn’t in the goods themselves – It was in knowing how and where to sell them.

Yet Makshu was quite glad too that he had never been a good pirate. Even when the opportunity presented itself, cruelty, hatred, or violence never came naturally to him. Partly, because he always realized that there was something missing in his life, a yearning that no violence could replace.

Walking more confidently through the palace gardens, Makshu began dreaming of a future where he would have what he really wanted. The real wealth he had always yearned for. After all when you’re an orphan, once you cover your basic needs there is only one thing that truly matters.

Makshu smiled as he walked out into the chaotic market. It was time to start looking for friends and a new family.

THE END