Miya Fooski and the Green Tent 2

- Jivram Joshi

- "There is not the slightest doubt. Then your Miyan's head will no longer rest on his shoulders."

I t was evening time - in fact, the perfect story hour. Both Sonu and Monu could hardly wait to know what happened next in the tale of Miya Foosky.

The two kids leapt onto Dada-Dadi's bed and burst out:

"Dadaji! Dadiji! What happened next? We just can't wait!"

Dadi smiled gently. "I can see your curiosity! But before Dadaji continues, you must first tell us what happened yesterday."

"Oh, so you want a recap?" asked Sonu.

"Yes, yes!" Dadi nodded.

"Alright, here it goes," said Sonu. 

 "Early one morning, Foosky Miyan barged into Taba Bhatt's house while Bhattji was busy with his prayers. He teased him, saying: 'God listens to honesty, not rituals with shut eyes and nose!' Before Bhattji could argue, Miyan reminded him of their duty - Thakor had entrusted them with a letter to be delivered urgently to Deepa Sheth of Malsar. Though Bhattji was reluctant, he finally agreed, and they both set out on horseback in the blazing heat.

The scorching sun beat down on them, and thirst tormented their throats. No water was in sight. Suddenly, Bhattji spotted a lush green grove ahead and hoped they could rest there. But when they approached, a farmer warned them: the grove belonged to Dolubha, a hot-tempered man. Anyone who entered without permission risked facing his wrath - even his sword.

Bhattji grew anxious, but Foosky Miyan only laughed. Boldly he said, 'Why should we die of thirst outside when there is shade and water inside?' Despite the farmer's warnings and Bhattji's protests, Miyan strode fearlessly into the grove. The air grew tense - would Dolubha appear and punish them, or would Miyan's daring spirit prevail?"    

Sonu paused. Monu immediately jumped in: "So that was the cliffhanger! Now you must tell us what happened next!"

"Alright, alright…" Dadaji chuckled. He sipped some water, cleared his throat, and began again…

They set off.

They reached the gate of the grove.

The farmer cried out:

"Oh Gaurbapa! Stop your Miyanji! If he enters the grove, surely his head will be chopped off. Dolubha never shows mercy to anyone!"

But Fooski Miyan pulled open the gate and boldly stepped inside.

The farmer stood still, frozen.

Bhattji, with a worried face, muttered:

"This Fooski Miyan will bring us disaster."

Bhattji too climbed up on the porch, straining his eyes to see what was happening in the grove. But the trees and bushes were so thick that Fooski Miyan soon disappeared from sight.

Bhattji whispered:

"If Dolubha sees Fooski Miyan, he will surely draw his sword, won't he?"

The farmer replied:

"There is not the slightest doubt. Then your Miyan's head will no longer rest on his shoulders."

Bhattji asked:

"But if Dolubha runs at him with a sword, and somehow my Miyan runs back out, then maybe he can escape?"

The farmer said:

"Pray to God that he gets such wisdom!"

Inside the grove, nothing was visible.

So the farmer and Bhattji stood on the porch, gazing toward the trees.

Time passed.

The farmer broke the silence:

"Gaurbapa…"

More time slipped away.

"If your Miyan were to escape, he would have come running out by now," the farmer said.

"This much delay surely means Dolubha has cut off his head."

Bhattji's eyes filled with tears.

The farmer spoke again:

"Gaurbapa! You should leave now. Your Miyan's head is certainly gone. And if Dolubha learns that his companion is waiting outside, he will come here too - and he won't spare your life either. If that happens, you must claim your Miyan wasn't with you. But better still, run away while you can."

Bhattji's voice trembled:

"To leave my Miyan and escape - that would be betrayal. No. Let whatever happen, but I shall not run."

The farmer pressed:

"But how long will you stand here? Much time has passed. Your Miyan is surely dead, there is no doubt."

Bhattji said firmly:

"If he is dead, then I will take his body with me. Now I must go into the grove and see what has happened."

Saying this, Taba Bhatt stepped down from the porch.

The farmer cried out:

"Oh Gaurbapa! You are going straight to your death! Dolubha will not spare you either."

Bhattji replied:

"Then let me die too. If my Miyan is gone, I cannot remain. But, dear farmer, do me one favor. Will you send this horse back to Rajpar?"

The farmer said:

"That much I can do."

Bhattji blessed him:

"Then God will reward you. Take the horse to the Thakor of Rajpar, tell him all that has happened here. Say also that both our dead bodies should be carried to Rajpar."

The farmer shook his head.

"Gaurbapa, Dolubha is so fierce, even the bodies will not be found. He will drag them away and bury them in secret."

Bhattji sighed.

"Then, brother, will you do one more thing?"The farmer asked:

"What is it?"

Bhattji asked:

"What is the name of the next village?"

The farmer answered:

"Dolatpur. Once it was called Dalvaniya, but Dolubha renamed it after himself. Such is his arrogance."

Bhattji said:

"Then, brother, go to that village and tell the Police Patel that the bodies of Bhattji and Miyan of Rajpar lie in the grove."

The farmer cried in fear:

"Oh heavens! If I give such news, Dolubha will kill me and my whole family. That I cannot do!"

Bhattji was troubled.

"If Fooski Miyan's head has already been cut off, and if I go in, my head too will be taken. And if Dolubha won't even allow the bodies to be taken… then what remains?"

Finally, Bhattji said:

"Let it be. Whatever is written will happen. But at least, brother, make sure the news reaches Rajpar."

Just then, the farmer suddenly turned and bolted.

Bhattji called after him:

"Why, brother?"

The farmer, panicked, shouted back:

"Gaurbapa! If you value your life, run! Run now!"

Bhattji cried:

"But why?"

The farmer pointed with terror:

"Look - at the grove's gate!"

Saying this, he ran so fast he vanished behind the thorn fence.

Bhattji looked toward the gate - and his breath stopped.

Dolubha himself was coming out.

He pushed the gate open and stepped outside.

Ah! The farmer's warning was true.

Dolubha was a sight to fear - a mountain of a man, like an elephant on the move, like a second brother of mighty Bhima.

The moment he stepped out, his eyes fell on Bhattji.

Bhattji trembled.

He froze where he stood, unable to move.

What happens next… will be told in the coming chapter.