Need To Greed

A person grows to run after needs

Sometimes needs turn into greed

Heart fails to exhort mind misleads

His actions pretend to get succeed

But hands with deeds and sin bleed

I beg everyone my words to read

I beg everyone my words to read

 

Sitting on a comfortable wooden chair, Mr. Rituraj Chauhan was repeatedly reciting these lines of his own poem. After the death of Mrs. Chauhan, Rituraj's wife, the wooden chair became his Beloved on which, he believed, his mind can earn some peace.

 

His 12 years old granddaughter Neha who was doing some craft work there laughed at him and asked, "Dadaji why do you keep reciting the same lines again and

again everyday"

 

Rituraj gave her a mysterious smile and without answering her, closed his eyes sitting on the chair. Though his eyes were pretending to be sleepy, his mind was at

work. His mind travelled in his past when he was quite young. After schooling he took his degree in B.Sc. and started working as a clerk. He belonged to a middle class family. After some years he got married to Gomati and his family size started fattening with two sons and three daughters. It was a herculean task for him now to manage family expenditure. He was the only earning member in the family. Gomati, his wife was never satisfied with his income.

 

"What a rubbish life we are living? How can I manage house with such a meagre income. You looser, you can't satisfy family needs."

 

His male ego used to get hurt daily. To meet his financial responsibilities, he started working part time too but Gomati needed more. She wanted to flaunt her status in society. 

A few years later Rituraj got promotion and started getting a handsome income. Gomati started buying unnecessary rich clothes, accessories and so on. she admitted her kids in the schools with a large fees.

 

Though Rituraj was getting a high income yet because of his spendthrift wife the financial problems didn't end .

 

One day Rituraj said to Gomati,

 

"Gomati I am the only earner in our family. We must spend thoughtfully, otherwise our future will be in threat."

 

His statement led fierce agitation in Gomati. Gomati started arguing loudly.

 

"You, you pauper, you stingy man, why did you marry if you couldn't handle the expenses of family. My friend Rupa is very lucky. Her husband satisfies all her financial needs before she speaks. Her husband has the same job like you but see how lavishly they live."

 

She spoke and spoke in the presence of children. Rituraj felt very bad and walked away from there.

 

Next morning he went to his office. When he was lost in his thoughts, someone knocked and asked,

"May I come in sir?"

"Oh! yes, yes."

 

"Sir I visited a lot of time in the office   but my work is still undone. my file hasn't proceeded yet to the further table." "Sorry, but it will take some more

time."

 

"I need my work to be done fast. speak up, how much do you want?"

 

"What?"

 

"Oh! you know sir. Tell me, how much should I pay you to

get my work done rapidly?"

 

Rituraj was shocked. Before this he never asked anyone for money to get the work done. His mind resisted the thought of bribe because he knew that it is illegal. But then he remembered the words of Gomati, the fights between them on the daily basis. His heart refused the idea to take Bribe but his mind convinced him that it was the only way to earn more money.

 

Rituraj said instantly , "Five thousand"

 

The man agreed and gave him the amount.

 

Now these were the frequent episodes in the cabin of Mr. Rituraj and he started making a lot of money. Soon his NEED turned into DESIRE and desire into the GREED. Now the scene was that he never used to do anyone's work without taking bribe .

 

He started earning a large fortune. His wife, children started living lavishly displaying their wealth to everyone. Money made Gomati to love her husband. Rituraj could notice a sudden change in Gomati's behavior.

 

Sometimes Rituraj's heart used to fill with guilt but his mind used to refuse the feeling of guilt by convincing him that its all fair if he wants to become rich to fulfill all his family's financial needs.

 

One morning when Rituraj was busy in work in his office, a client knocked at the door asking the permission to come.

 

"Hello sir, I'm Mr. Malhotra. I am here with a complaint. One month over my file is still pending. I want my work to be done fast.

 

" Okay Mr. Malhotra. But you know it well that without petrol a bike can't be driven. Have you got my point."

 

"What do you mean? Please explain sir."

 

"If you want to get your work to be done fast then you have to pay."

 

"Okay, how much?"

 

"Fifty thousand"

 

"Done. Right now I don't have cash, 'll give you tomorrow."

 

Next day Mr. Malhotra came with a bundle of money and gave him. While Rituraj was busy in counting the notes, police came and caught him red handed with the bribe. He was sentenced for five years jail. He lost his job and social status. His wife came to meet him in jail.

 

"You cheater, what have you done? You brought shame to the family. How can me and my children would face the society. I will never forgive you." Gomati shouted angrily.

 

Rituraj completely collapsed and got frustrated. He did everything for his family but now his family turned its back. He felt as if he became "The Valmiki" of kaliyuga.

 

Because of some noise in his home, he came out of his thoughts, He opened his eyes. His elder daughter-in-law was fighting with his son in the same way Gomati used to fight with him for money. He felt sorry for his son. A thought came in his mind to mediate between the fight of the two, But then he realized his position in his own home. He knew that no one was going to listen him. He closed his eyes again and started repeating the same lines.

 

A person grows to run after needs

Sometimes needs turn into greed

Heart fails to exhort, mind misleads

His actions pretend to get succeed

But hands with deeds and sin bleed

I beg everyone my words to read

I beg everyone my words to read