Stamps Collection

Ruhi and Juhi had come to their uncle’s home to enjoy the long summer holidays. Their uncle Sushant works as a postman in the small town near Dumka in Bihar. They had never been to post office so one day he took them to his work place. Not many people work in the small post office, the head postmaster, a clerk, and their uncle. They sat for some time there until uncle left the office to distribute the letters and parcels to the respective addresses. Ruhi was surprised to see small colourful pieces of papers attached to the envelopes and the parcels . She asked “What are these uncle?”

“Stamps”

“What is the meaning of it?”

“They are piece of papers with certain amount written on it and issued by postal department of the government which are sold to customers who pay the postage and then they use it on envelopes to send letters”

“Can I see them thoroughly?”

“Not now dear I’ve to distribute these fast as sun going high up and it is tremendous hot”

So they returned home but questions on tamps went on in Ruhi’s mind.

The town is very quiet place with only a small park near the market. But these all inconveniences did not bother them as they along with cousin Bunty and Bony spent most of their time in a mango orchard just behind uncle’s home. They love picking up the raw mangoes which fall from the trees to carry them back home for their aunt to make tasty mango pickles. While playing they had discovered a very old mansion beyond the mango orchard. It seems no one lives in that house. They don’t go too near the building as it looks more like a haunted house. Bony who believes in ghosts said she has seen someone in one of the windows last evening though Ruhi and Juhi did not believe her. They believe in their mother who always said there is only god no ghosts.

One day while playing with ball it rolled very near the entrance to the mansion. The other two said they won’t go near the house to get back the ball and ran back home. Ruhi asked Juhi to get back the ball. Juhi looked at her sister then advanced towards the entrance. When she was almost near she heard someone saying “May I help you?” She looked up to see an old man well dressed looking at her with smiling face. She immediately remembered Bony’s words but still could courage to ask “Who are you?”

He smiled “I’m the owner of this house and the orchard where you all play. My name is Madhav Acharya. Now introduce yourself”

“I’m Juhi Sharma and she is Ruhi” and she turned back to point towards her sister. Ruhi came forward few steps and said “Do you live here? We thought no one stays in this house”

“You are ninety percent right. I wasn’t here for last five years”

Juhi asked “Can we take back our ball?”

“Oh sure but after you two accept my invitation for a cup of Bournvita with me”

“You drink children’ health dink?”

“No but today I will”

Before they could answer they heard someone coming from behind. Both turned to see uncle is coming with both the cousins. When he saw the old man he said “Chahaji how are you? When did you come?”

“I’m quite better now. I came here day before yesterday”

“My son and daughter said someone was there in the old mansion so I came with them to verify”

“Come inside with them. I’ve invited Juhi and Ruhi to have a cup of Bournvita with me”

Susant smiled and took them inside the mansion.

Everyone was awe looking at the interior decoration of the house as if they had reached to the period of kings samrats. There was old furniture, big oil paintings hanging from the wall, big statues old fashioned clocks. Madhav said “I can understand you all are astonished looking at my home. Well I’ve a hobby of collecting antique things”

Ruhi asked “What is antique thing?”

“Antique things are equipments used by zamindars kings samrats”

“Do books can be antique too?”

“Yes”

Susant asked “Chahaji do you still have your collection of stamps?”

“Yes”

Juhi asked “Do you collect stamps? That’s very interesting!”

Ruhi said “Can we see you collection of stamps?”

“Of course I’ll show you” He went to another room and brought back two very thick books. He opened the ‘Indian Stamps’ inscribed on it. It was full of stamps from the one first issued by the government till now. Madhavji explained them every date when they were issued and the occasion too. The other book had all type of foreign stamps. He told them the history of how he collected them. They were very happy to look at them.

“So nice...do anyone collect them now?”

“Not too many but when we were young, many used to collect stamps”

“Why?”

“The reason is people don’t write letters now, only official letters are sent and received through post or invitation cards”

Ruhi didn’t ask more but she hoped days of letter comes back then she too will be able some stamps.