Eidgah …A moving story by Munshi Prem Chand
After thirty days of Ramzan (fasting) came Eid. How balmy how
pleasant was the Eid morning.
The trees were strangely green, there was a indefinable
activity in the fields, the skies too had a strange reddish tinge.
Look at today’s sun it looked so endearing and calm seemed
as though it was greeting the entire world on the day of Eid .
There was a flurry of activity in the village .Preparations
were afoot to go for Idgah at the nearby township which was five kms away.
Someone was rushing to the neighbour’s house to get needle and thread to sew
the missing button on his shirt, somebody’s shoe had become hard , he rushed to
get some oil from the general provision store to apply in them to soften them.
Hurriedly the cattle were given water etc since their return would take
a few hours. 5 k.ms of walking distance, meeting hundreds of people,
certainly it would get late.
Children are the most excited today. Fasting is for the
adults yet some child has kept one fast that too till the afternoon, most have
kept none. Going to Idgah is happiness a part of their reward! The definition
of Id for the children is C e l e b r a
t i o n! Everyday they parrot the word Id –
today is the day! Excited they are in a hurry to leave and cannot understand
the delay the adults are causing. They are not burdened with the problems of
the home and the hearth. For them it is
not to worry about the milk , sugar for making the special sweet dish
Saviyan,which they will relish anyway. They are oblivious of the fact as to why
their father is running to Quamat Ali’s house and the lurking danger if he
refuses to lend money their Eid might transform to Muharram!They are happy in
the thought that their pockets are full of ‘Kuber’s’’ treasure. They count it
countless times and return it to their pockets.Mehmood counts 1,2..,10..,12. He
has 12 paise.Mohsin has 1,2,3,…8,9…15paise! Happiest of them all is Hamid. He
is a 4-5 year old with a poverty stricken face, lean and thin, whose father
died of cholera the previous year and his
mother died of jaundice she gradually turned yellow and withered away.
Hamid is happy to be with his grandma
and enjoys his heavenly sleep in
Amina’s lap.
Amina ‘s heart is
saddened .All the children were going to town with their fathers’. Thoughts of
his wellbeing coursed through her mind. How should she send him alone? What if he gets lost in
the crowd? No, she wouldn’t allow him to
go…the delicate darling .How would he walk such a long distance ?Bare feet
his feet would be riddled with blisters,
as he did not have a pair of shoes. She thought it was she after all who was
his father so she’d pick him up after every little while .But the who’d cook
the sweet dish for him. Had there been enough money, she would have bought all
the ingredients on their return from the Idgah and cooked it in an instant. In
the present circumstances it would take hours since asking or borrowing was the
only option available to collect all the ingredients.
She had saved 8 annas for today .This she had got as a
remuneration for stitching clothes for Falima.However the previous day the
milkmaid insisted on being paid 6 annas . Amina bought two paisa worth of milk
the least she could afford for Hamid everyday. Today she had just 2 annas .Out
of which 3 paisa went as pocket money for the day and 5 paisa went into her
purse. Only Allah would ferry them across the day. For penury should not come
in the way of the annual festival’s festivities! She prayed for the smooth
passing off the day for Hamid.
The group from the village started towards the town in a
festive mood .Hamid in his excitement almost felt he had wings on his feet.
Tirelessly he’d run and overtake them all. He then would wait under some shady
tree waiting for the slow coaches to catch up!
Slowly the precincts of the township came into view .On
either side of the road were cemented walls surrounding litchi orchards and
mango groves of the rich. The trees were laden with mangoes.Mischevious
boys pick up a stone and aim at the mangoes.
The teased gardener comes out venting
his spleen. The boys are amused at
fooling the gardener since they are nearly a furlong away .
Moving on, the group comes upon well decorated sweets
making shops. Each store has
tons of sweets. The children wonder, who eats so many
sweets? An answer to that was that at
night a jinn comes and buys them all. Another child knowledgeably answers that
a man comes in the dead of night and buys all the unsold provisions, and buys
it with real Rupees.Hamid finds it difficult to believe and wonders where would
the jinn get real Rupees.
The group moves
on and they enter the populated part where the humdrum of the town can be
experienced. Many a groups are moving onwards the Eidgah. They are in their Sunday
best, wearing new shimmering dresses.
The waft of their perfume (iter) is permeating its sweet smell in the
air. Some are on tongas,
some in motor cars. Each is heart is filled with joy. They are wonderstruck and
ogle at each object which they find strange, unmindful of the persistent
honking of the motors. Hamid almost came under one.
Eventually the
Idgah came into sight. On it was the shade of a Tamarind tree. The floor was
cemented and a rug was spread on it. There were symmetrical lines of males mostly
who had kept fast. There was no place in the front row. New batches of people
take their positions in the last line. A picture of equality in practice. There
is no distinction of status of the rich and poor, high or low. The organization
and co-ordination is exemplery.Thousands of heads bow down rhythmically in
perfect synchronization .It seems as lakhs of bulbs are illuminated in one go
and in another is switched off! This sequence goes on and on. The sight is unimaginable,
incomparable, the perfect co-ordination, of doing the actions is
effortless,elaborate, endless in a harmony. The heart fills up with awe, pride
and pleasure. It seems as though the thread of brotherhood is strung through
all their souls and held them together. The Namaz is finally over. The people
hug and greet each other. The namaz is finally over.
Time to visit the
shops-toys and sweets …The fair is in full swing. There is a giant wheel one
can take a ride after paying one paisa. Sometimes one feels you are reaching
for the skies and sometimes the feeling of dropping to the ground. There is a
merry-go-round on which wooden elephants, horses and camels are hanging from
the iron poles. One paisa and take
twenty five rounds.Mehmood, Mohsin, Noorie and Sami took these rides. Hamid is
standing at a distance mulling over the prospect of spending his 3 paisa. To give 1/3 of his treasure for rides? No he cannot part with it for just
a few rounds! All dismount from the merry-go-round
All of them now move towards the line of toy shops. There
are many types of toys- Soldier, King, Water Carrier, Washer woman and Sadhu. Wow! Such beautifully crafted toys, so
lifelike as if they would like to speak out their mind.
Ahmed bought a
soldier dressed in khaki uniform and red
cap with a rifle on his shoulder, seems like he is just coming in from a parade
looking so happy! Perhaps singing a song. Mohsin is taken in by the life like
water carrier, his back bent with the weight of the leather bag , holding the
mouth of the bag ready to open it for releasing water from his bag. Noorie was
all for the lawyer, intellect written on his face, smartly dressed in a black
with a white coat and in his pocket a watch with a golden chain which was
dangling on his coat. It seemed he was just returning after a hearing in the
court. All these toys were valued at two paisa.
Hamid has only
three paisa, how could he spend on such expensive perishable clay toy. If it
slips it will break into a thousand pieces. If a little water touches it the
colour would run. What would he do with such a toy? What was the use? After all
they were made of clay and would shatter if they accidently fell. Yet he eyes
them with longing eyes! His innermost urge is to hold them for a while. He
tries to snatch them, but the boys are
faster. The yearning for them is intense.
After the
toys the group turned to the food shops
selling a variety of sweets.Some bought
‘Rewaries’ (a sweet made with jaggery and sesame seeds), some bought
‘Gulabjamun’, and some others ‘Sohan Halwa’.
Lined after the
toy shops were shops selling iron commodities,
artificial jewellry,etc. Since these held no attraction for the boys
they moved on. Hamid stopped at the ironsmiths. The innumerable pair of tongs
lined in the store caught his eye. Images of his grandma’s burnt fingers while
baking ‘rotis’ flooded his mind. His grandma had no tongs. ‘What if he takes
one along?’ ‘Won’t she be thrilled ?’
‘It would be a useful
gadget at home.’ ‘What is the use of toys?’ Uselessly he’d be wasting money on
them. It just a transient happiness. Perhaps even before he reaches home the
toy might break.
Deep in his thoughts he mulled over the many benefits
of owning a pair of tongs .Firstly,
rotis could be picked up from the hot plate on the fire. Secondly, rotis can be
baked directly on the fire. Thirdly if someone comes asking for fire,
a burning red hot coal can be
easily lifted from the owen and handed
over. Though Ammi burnt her hand practically
everyday yet for lack of time and dearth of
money she did not go to the market.
He could see his friends drinking ‘sherbet’ at the soft
drink shop. Negative thoughts surged in his heart. “ See
how greedy they all are. They bought so many sweets and no one shared
even one with me. I’ll question them when they will ask me to play with them or
they ask me to run errands for them. If they eat sweets, let them …their gums
will be infested with germs, …boils will cover their faces…their tongue will
get addicted to the sweets. They’ll steal money from their homes to satisfy
their urge and for this they will get a
sound beating. The books do not lie .Why should I let my tongue get out of
hand? (indiscipline)”
After
dwelling on the rotten behavior of his friends in minute details he now turned
his day dreaming to his grandma. “Ammi will run and take the tongs from my hand
and say my child how thoughtful.
She will then give me a thousand blessings. The she will show it
to the neighborhood women. The whole village will appreciate the fact that
Hamid bought a pair of tons, what a caring boy is he? Who is going to bless them for their
toys? It is said that the blessings of the elders reach the kingdom of Allah
and is heard immediately! ‘I’ll give them a piece of my mind’.’ Let them laugh
for all that I care’. ‘Let them play with toys eat sweets’.’ I don’t play with
their toys hence why should I stand nonsense! ‘Even though I am poor I don’t go
and beg from anyone’. One day my father will come back to me, sometime or other
mother too will come then I’ll ask them ,‘How many toys will you take?’ I’ll give them each a basketful of toys and teach them how to
behave with friends. It is not done that you buy sweets and show-off while
eating each one of them.” With such vicious thoughts coursing through his mind,
he enquired the price from the shopkepper.The shopkeeper looked up at him and
finding no adult in attendance, replied that it was not for him. “Is it not for
sale?”Hamid persisted. “Of’ course, why do you think I have displayed them
all?” answered the shopkeeper. Hamid ,“then why don’t you disclose the price?”
Six Paisa ,answered the shopkeeper. Hamid’s heart sank. Haggling he asked for a
reasonable price. Well! Five paisa and that’s final. replied the
shopkepper.Hamid gathered his wits and bargaining further asked him he would
take three paisa and walked away without waiting to hear the shopkeeper’s
expected snide remarks. The shopkeeper simply called him and handed him the
pair of tongs.
Hamid was pleased
with his victory. He placed it on his shoulder like a gun and marched smartly
with confidence towards his friends. Mohsin laughed and rebuked hin saying:
“crazy, why have you bought this? What will you do with this?” Hamid threw the
tongs on the floor and challenged him to do the same with his water carrier.
“…all his entrails will come out” he said.
Mehmood sneeringly
asked him “…is the tongs a toy?” Hamid counter questioned him asking him how
was it not a toy? He explained that when he kept it on his shoulder it is like
a rifle. When he held it in his hands it like is a native musical instrument
called ‘Chimta’ . If he desired then in
one stroke he could finish all the toys. All the toys put together could not
harm his tongs! My pair of tongs is a
brave lion!
Sumee had bought
a tambourine .So intrigued he was by the qualities of the wonder tongs that he
wanted to exchange it. He pleaded the exchange by saying “…it is for two annas,
pretty expensive.” Hamid was in no mood to relent. He further maintained the
superiority of his tongs by emphasizing that it could tear his instrument
apart. All it had was a thin layer of leather, that took out a sound “dab, dab.”
A little water would ruin it’s sound quality. “Fire, water, storm will not
affect my brave pair of tongs” he declared.
His pair of tongs
had become a cynosure of all interest. By now each child had exhausted his
treasure , moreover they had moved out of the fair grounds. The balmy sun had
turned hot and bright. If they pestered their father they might get it but it
was a long way home. Hamid had been so clever. The blackguard had saved his
money for the wonderful gadget.
Hamid got the
reverence and adulation that a winner gets from the losers. The others had
spent three-three, four-four paisa but
did not buy anything worthwhile. The truth was that Hamid’s pair of tongs was
durable as compared to their perishable toys.
Rules of
reconciliation were worked out.Mohsin said, “Let me have a look at your tongs
while you can hold my water carrier.”Mehmood and Noora also followed suit.
Hamid was happy with the arrangement. The pair of tongs was examined by each of
his friends, while he held their toy, fascinated by their beautiful
craftsmanship. Satisfied after holding the toys for a while, Hamid tried to
pacify the losers declaring that he was just teasing them. There was absolutely
no comparison between the iron pair of tongs and the delightful toys. His
friends were simply not ready to buy that explanation. The leadership of the
pair of tongs had been established. The stamp that had been stuck on paper
could not be removed with water.
Mohsin perceived
that no one would bless them for the toys. Mehmood added that, what to talk of blessings, his
mother would admonish saying, “All what
you could in the fair is this toy made out of clay?” Hamid however agreed to
their point of view that nobody’s mother would be as happy as his grandmother.
He had indeed made a wise purchase with only three paisa. And now his tongs was ‘Rustam-e-Hind’(
Emperor of Hindustan.) On the way to their village Mehmood was hungry. His
father gave him some bananas, which he shared only with Hamid. It was a sort of offering to the tongs!
They
returned at 11a.m. spreading a wave of excitement in the entire village!
Mohsin’s younger sister
came running and snatched the water carrier from his hands and jumped with
joy!...that was the end of the water carrier
as he fell on the floor. The brother
sister duo hit each other and cried. Their mother on hearing the ruckus scolded
them and gave two slaps to each of them.
Noorie’s lawyer
met his end in a dignified way. Two nails were driven into the wall and a plank
was set on them, a paper carpet was spread, and the lawyer was ceremoniously
placed on it like the King(Raja Bhoja).Noore started fanning him- whether the
breeze from the fan or a knock from it sent the lawyer crashing down! His gown
made out of mud merged with mud.
Mehmood tripped,
his soldier lost a leg. He broke the other leg of his so that at least he could
now sit at one place.
Now listen to
Hamid’s story. On hearing his voice Amina ran out and lovingly took him up in
her lap. She was startled to see a pair of tongs in his hand.
Amina:” Where was
these pair of tongs”?
Hamid: “I bought
it.”
Amina: “How much?”
Hamid: I paid three paisa.”
Amina lost her
cool .She castigated him called him a fool as to have remained hungry for so
long. In the whole fair could he get
hold of nothing but an innocuous iron pair of tongs.
Hamid replied as
if he had committed a crime. “I bought this because your fingers got burnt on
the hot plate.”
The old woman’s anger
turned into extreme love. Words failed her to express her emotions. The child
had sacrificed so much, there was so much of empathy in him, so thoughtful, understanding.
She could fathom how he must’ve felt while the other children were being
children and spending on toys and eating sweets. How much must he have longed
for the toys and eatables. From where did he find so much self-control. Even in the midst of fun and frolic of the fair,
she was uppermost on his mind . She was
taken in by his concern for her. Her heart melted!
A surprising thing happened, more magical than the pair of
tongs episode. The child Hamid had played the part of old Hamid.Old Amina became
child Amina.She started crying. Through tears streaming on her face she invoked
God to shower his choicest blessings on him. This reaction was a mystery beyond
the comprehension of Hamid!
