A stranger's gift

Once in two or three months, Shanmugam visited a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated inside a mini forest. Apart from the usual Linga, there was the idol of Mahadeva with his hair piled up, a crescent moon tucked in it and Ganga flowing down symbolically. With a coiled serpent around his neck and a trident on the left hand with a damroo tied to it, He was smeared with ashes and sported a Rudraksha mala. It was believed He was powerful and granted boons if sincerely prayed. Shanmugam’s sole purpose was to seek His blessings to save him from the morass of poverty. It was believed serpents moved about freely in the area but never harmed anybody,

As the sky was cloudy, Shanmugam wished to reach home before it got dark. He chose instead of a proper road, a shortcut from the temple through the mini forest that saved his walk by two kilometres. As he walked hurriedly through a narrow winding path amidst bushes, he found it very lonely with not a soul visible. He increased the pace to get out of the forest soonest. Luckily the sun had not yet set and it was not dark as yet.

When he turned on a bend, he saw to his relief a little away on this desolate stretch  a man standing at the edge of the pathway looking at him. As he neared the man, he found him to be tall, lean and dark and also appeared somewhat strange. His face was elongated horizontally between the ears and the head above narrowed at the top reminding of an inverted rhombus. His eyes were narrow but flitting brightly from one side to the other.

Shanmugam felt uneasy but still welcomed company in this deserted area.

The man saw a flask hanging on Shanmugam’s shoulders and requested him for water. The flask contained toddy, an intoxicating local liquor, that Shanmugam was habituated to. He readily gave a cup. The man drank with gusto. Shanmugam became less apprehensive of the guy and prodded him to walk faster.  But he could not keep pace with Shanmugam as he walked rather wobbly.

When they came out of the forest, they both sat down on the mud to rest and finish the remaining drink. Both soon became inebriated and lay on the ground prattling loudly. It was then the strange man gave Shanmugam a marble-sized stone saying,” You have been very nice and friendly. Keep the thing carefully for it is very precious.”

Shanmugam accepted the elliptical stone that was covered with mud and said,” Thank you very much for the gift. My house is nearby. Do come with me and have your dinner,”

“I will come with you up to your place but will leave immediately without having dinner,” the man replied.

“You must have something to drink at least if you are not ready for dinner. What about coffee, tea or juice?

“I will have a small quantity of cold milk. Preserve the precious stone very carefully and you will soon be rich,” he replied.

When they reached the small tiled building, Shanmugam’s wife saw him drunk in a dishevelled condition with mud all over his body.

 ” How many times should I tell you not to drink outside our home and drink whatever you wish to while at home? I do not want you to fall on the road and create a scene,” she yelled at her husband without noticing the stranger’s presence near the door.

Handing her the precious gift, he pleaded with her, “We have a kind guest. Do not get angry and I promise not to drink outside in future. I met him on the way from the temple and he has given me this valuable stone that will make us rich. As it is covered with mud, polish it gently with your sari and you will see it shining in red. Please get him a glass of cold milk. He declined to have dinner with us.”

She hurriedly swiped the stone with her sari and found to her amazement a gem shining a shade that was a mix of pink and red. She rushed inside to the kitchen followed by Shanmugam to get the milk. When they came out with a glass of milk, the stranger was not to be seen. Wondering at his mysterious disappearance, they moved towards the front door when they saw to their horror a long cobra slithering out through the door. When they gasped in fear, it raised its hood and stared at them for a few seconds before disappearing into the bushes outside.

Looking at the pinkish-red ruby (manik) shining stone in her hand, the mysterious disappearance of the odd-looking stranger and the appearance of a cobra with its raised hood for a brief moment at the front door, made Shanmugam wonder aloud whether the Lord has, at last, answered his prayers. Inscrutable are the ways of God, his wife conceded.