Not all the changes are welcome (1336))

 

Subban had no family and no job either. He never knew where his next meal would come from. He was  by nature a timid man, kind and helpful, straighforward and disliked fights.However,he had a weakness for toddy and would stand on the road inviting the hesitant passers-by to the thatched shed  partially hidden by trees where the toddy aka kallu was sold along with roasted nuts,pickles and steamed chana seasoned with some spices. The owner of the shop who knew his usefulness gave him daily  free  toddy and the left-over side dishes. Whenever there was a heavy crowd, the owner would take his help to hand over the toddy bottles on the basis of tokens in different colours. Over a period of time he had a free run of the place in the absence of the owner but he never misused it.

As he was standing on the road one hot  day with a bottle of the brew and munching roasted nuts, a bare-chested man with unkempt hair, beard and mustache came near him. He said he was thirsty and extremely hungry. Subban took pity on him and readily gave him  the bottle with toddy and roasted nuts.When he gulped the entire thing in one go, Subban gave him another bottle with some briyani.

With his hunger gone and the mood elated with the intoxicating drink inside him ,the mendicant asked Subban to sit by his side under the tree and said,” I am very pleased with you for your kindness and ready help. I wish to repay the debt of gratitude. I have no money but have some special powers that I can bestow on you. Would you be interested?”

“What would that be ?” Subban asked.

“You must have heard of the transmigration of souls into another body. You can choose the  person into whom you wish to enter. He in turn would enter your body. You can choose to be a rich and powerful man, a holy hermit, a famous sportsman, a renowned warrior or whomever you wish to. I am in a hurry. Tell me now immediately for me to make the change. I will come here exactly after a month if you need my help,” he said.

Subban’s only aim was to get out of his poverty. He could think of no other person than a rich and powerful politician from his area. He had a wife, palatial bungalow, cars and many servants. Without any loss of time, he named the man.The  bearded mystic uttered some mumbo jumbo and presto the change was effected with the mystic disappearing simultaneously

Subban waited for a few minutes for the transmigration to take place but found himself still under the tree. He was eagerly looking forward to the palatial bungalow, the scrumptious food, car and other comforts. Nothing was forthcoming. Instead when a passer-by asked him where the toddy shop was, Subban hit him in anger  and snapped  “How dare you ask me for a toddy shop, you scoundrel? Do you know who I am? ‘continuing with foul expletives.

The owner, who was watching from a distance, was taken aback at the strange behaviour and wondered whether he was overdrunk. He came near Subban and put his hand on him in a friendly manner when the latter pushed his hand away and  blurted in anger, “Take your dirty toddy smelling hand off me.Do you know who I am? I can have this shop closed within 24 hours, you cheapster, unless you pay me 50,000 rupees in hard cash by nightfall.”

Taken aback at his insolent behaviour and demand for money, the owner without losing his cool took his hand away and asked him gently, ”Subba,what has got over you? This is strange for I have never seen you in anger. Take some rest in the corner of the shed. You will be fine soon.”

This infuriated Subban further  and he shouted, “How dare you address me by name? You have the temerity to ask me to take rest on the bench in this foul smelling and mosquito infested  shanty. You will pay for it soon, I warn you.”

The owner became furious and  hit Subban hard, forbade him from entering the shop again and with the help of two regular customers threw him out on the road where he lay unconscious.

*****

At the politician’s house, a few businessmen who were waiting patiently for an audience with the leader were taken by surprise when the leader himself, an agnostic, wearing an ash mark and Kumkum prominently on his forehead, entered the waiting hall with folded hands. “What brings you people  here? Did I make you wait for long? Were you served with refreshments? You could have met me in my office. Tell me what I can do for you,” he said.

The surprised businessmen, noticing the  sea change in his usually boorish behaviour, sheepishly smiled and proffering a suitcase said, “Sir, here is the amount agreed upon. I hope you will kindly accept it and arrange for clearance of the file.”

“What file and what is to be cleared? What agreement and why the money to me? All  government  transactions should be made only at the treasury,” the leader expressed surprise.

Confused they looked at him when one of the businessmen summoned the courage to say, ”He he he, this is the usual speed money you demand for clearing our files and we always offer. We beg of you to accept it and help us.”

“I am not aware of such irregular things. Please go away before making  me lose my calm,” the leader said and went inside abruptly.

“What has befallen him? Has he lost his senses?” they murmured among themselves and left the scene in disbelief.

His wife came to him to ask him,” It  is nearing one  and the lunch is ready.”

On seeing the dining table with  a large spread of multi varied items of food ,delicacies and dessert, he asked. “Is there any party today and for what occasion? Where are the guests?”

“Nothing of the sort. It is the usual daily fare for the two of us. What is wrong with you asking funny questions? I have been noticing since last night that you are behaving oddly, ” she asked.

“Are you not aware of the lot of poor who do not get even one meal properly and yet you are wasting so much? I insist you prepare only the required quantity and avoid such criminal waste,” he admonished her gently. She jabbed her jaw to her shoulders in sheer contempt for her husband and thought to herself whether  he had really lost his mind since  yesterday.

Early next morning, when the leader was seen along with one assistant walking in the bustee of poor people checking for himself their living conditions and enquiring about the availability of water, the drainage facilities, removal of garbage and cleanliness, the people were wonderstruck in disbelief  at the change in him  especially when there was no election in the next few years. Word spread quickly  about the strange transformation in the leader who opted for a smaller car and simple living and his growing popularity.

*****

Exactly after a month the mystic was at the toddy shop as promised  when he saw Subban turned into a local bully threatening passers-by, picking fights for no reason and robbing people by force or stealth.

The mystic realized instantly the  mistake he had made in effecting the transmigration of souls  between two living individuals and in the process,  he had only transferred the problems of one and undesirable traits of the other from one person to another without increasing the wellbeing of the society. He decided not to interfere anymore with God’s plans and promptly restored the status quo ante (as existed previously).

Subban was now back happily occupied in the toddy shop helping his master as before and the wily political leader returned to his arrogant ways and collecting his illegal mamools.