The Crimson Cloud

The Crimson Cloud

Please, aunty, don't just call me a thief. The slander of a thief that you have imposed on me is not deserved at all. Honestly, I am not a thief, I didn't steal. I was passing through this road taking my cows back from the field to the house. There are several mango trees by the side of the road. Just now, you know, there was a little storm in the afternoon. On finding some mangoes lying on the road I picked up a few. Yes, I do agree that it was my mistake. While I was picking up the mangoes you could have seen me through the window of your house. Suddenly you started shouting at me. You came out of your house and started shouting loudly imposing the slander. Believe me. I'm honest and didn't steal.

- Why are you lying? I clearly saw the mangoes in your hand. Now you are saying that you didn't steal.

- Look aunty, I may be poor but have no desire or mentality to steal. I may not get my food daily due to want of money, but I will not be able to project myself so inferior in front of everyone by stealing things from others. Moreover, fruits that have fallen from the trees, no one can claim it of his own. My fault is that I have picked up the mangoes. If I was not at the site, then someone could have picked them up. Would you again call them a thief? I understand that being poor I must bear this grudge. Whatsoever, if you feel that I have really made the mistake of stealing, please forgive me for unknowingly doing so. I will not do such a thing again. You can take all the mangoes I picked up.

- All right, I can forgive all your faults if you come tomorrow morning and clean our cowhouse. It is not cleaned for quite along. Foul smells are emerging out.

- But aunty, I shall go to school in the morning. Then the cows must be taken to graze in the field. I will be back in the evening.

- I don’t want to hear any excuse. If you don’t do this, I will take today's matter of stealing to the Head of the village. He will decide what will be your punishment.

- Well, I have made some mistakes. You will not allow me to go out of that. During my lunchtime, after coming back from school I will certainly come and clean your barn. Don't worry.

- Aunty, your cowhouse has been cleaned. It was very dingy. I also washed the cows with water. Now I must go, aunty. It's already very late to take the cows for grazing.

- You can go now. I have forgiven all your sins. I am busy now, will have a look at the barn later.

- But aunty, please come to the barn once as I am unable to leave the barn in this condition.

- Why, what has happened again? What is the situation there that you are unable to leave? Well, wait a minute; I'm coming.

- Yes, tell me, why do I have to come?

- Look at that aunty. Look at that corner of the barn. A gold bracelet is lying there. It must be yours; I think. It was not visible earlier as it was lying under thick cow dung. Since I have cleaned the garbage, it is visible now.

- Oh God, that's mine. That is the gold bracelet I used to wear. It was a little loose one in the fitting. It is around two months since I had lost it. How and where it had slipped out of my hand unknowingly, I can’t recall. Maybe it has fallen out of hand while cleaning the barn. Thank God, I have got the precious thing back. You cannot imagine how expensive it is. I've been suffering from deep depression since I lost it. I had cursed the invisible thief as if he had stolen the precious material. Whatever maybe, I have got it now. It must be the result of my good deeds. I have forgiven your sin. This may be the gift in return. But my boy, after seeing this one lying there, why didn't you give it back to me instead called me up?

- What to do, aunty. I am that cow who has lost his house due to fire. I could see the crimson cloud over my head. I was so frightened that I could not even pick the bracelet up.