We Bought a Zoo Page #9

Of course! Gimme five... yes!

And what shall I bring for you?

Nothing.

I know you don't want me to leave,

but I have to go for Kaveriamma.

And listen, don't think

about me too much.

Don't miss me too much.

Now what makes you think

that I'll miss you?

The look in your eyes!

They give your feelings away.

O beloved, most beloved, surely

I am infatuated with thee

Thou hast endeared my heart

O beloved...

O beloved, most beloved, surely

I am infatuated with thee

Thou hast endeared my heart

O beloved...

My heart's bewildered

My body with fire kindled

It's monsoon of my dreams

The courtyard of my eyes streams

The pitcher of my heart is overflowing

O beloved...

O dear who hast drawn so near!

O dear who hast endeared my heart!

How canst I recount

What hath been thy bequest pray how?

Somewhere art buds of

a throbbing heart

Somewhere the dream-lanes

Mirth that dwells in the heart,

How shallst I articulate?

Thou swayeth me so

That oft times I am embarrassed

It seems I have lost

my path

Ever since I have seen the

haven of love

Haven of love

O beloved, most beloved,

surely

I am infatuated with thee

Thou hast endeared my heart

O beloved...

Now that thou hast met me

This world's transformed

Methinks the flowers have begun

to beset my path

And I fancy too

That this earth's renewed

The sky too freshly spun

in our love

Wanton breeze singeth some melody

River too narrates some tale

All's changed, my love

since my eyes courted thine

I have lost presence of my mind,

gone is my treasured selfhood

O beloved...

Haridasji!

Haridasji!

Yes?

I'm Mela Ram and this is

Mohan Bhargavaji.

Tell me.

Kaveriji and Gitaji have sent me.

It's about the land's rent.

I understand.

Come in.

You have travelled a long way.

You must be tired. Please rest.

Make some bread.

Run along now.

Please come in.

You really shouldn't have bothered.

How is that possible?

A guest is like God!

We've served what we have;

you eat and then we'll talk.

Ok.

If I had the capacity to pay,

I would have come to Charanpur myself.

Sir, I was a weaver before I

took up farming.

Since the advent of machine

woven fabrics in the market,

weaving had ceased to

be a lucrative business.

So I became a farmer.

I took Gitaji's land on lease.

I'd imagined, once the crops flourished

the children's life would improve.

But it was not to be!

Why?

By taking up farming,

I had changed my profession.

The village elders did not accept this

and looked upon me as an outcast.

They felt a weaver should remain a weaver,

even if it meant, that he had to go hungry.

I cried, pleaded...

but no one listened to me!

Nobody offered a drop of

water to irrigate my land.

Entire crop dried up...

...and whatever survived,

the villagers refused to buy.

It is because of this, I've not

been able to pay Gitaji's rent.

But this is wrong.

It's unfair. It is an outrage!

It is the way things work here.

Not a morsel to

fill our stomach,

no clothes to wear,

no roof above our heads,

no education for children,

nor land!

The thirst in my heart alone

knows the taste of my tears!

Then what did you do?

What could I do?

I thought about migrating to the city,

hoping life would be better there.

Those who had been there,

recounted the anguish in the cities.

A labourer goes there to work,

and falls into the grip of contractors.

He either returns hungry,

or never returns.

And soon, the wife has to

sell the little land she has.

No sir, no!

I couldn't feed my

children in this life...

...what is to happen after me?

And about Gitaji's money,

I have nothing to offer

except helplessness and shame.

Nothing...

Thank you for the food, Haridasji.

Haridasji, I'll take your leave.

Please don't mind. Here's

some money. Keep it.

Mohanbabu, it's very kind of you

but I can't accept it.

Please Haridasji, I want you to keep it.

When you have it, you can

return it to me.

But I don't know when I will

be able repay it.

Don't worry about it.

Here Chotu, this is for you.

Share it with your sisters.

Please give Gitaji

and Kaveriji my respects.

Water for sale... water for sale...

Saheb, please have a glass of water.

Mohan you're back!

How was your journey?

Ok.

- Did you meet Haridas?

Yes. But I could not get the money.

His situation is pathetic.

He can't pay the rent!

Instead, sir gave him money

from his own pocket, before leaving.

I couldn't bear to see

Haridas' condition.

I don't think you should expect

any rent from him.

Mohanbhaiyya, did you get me my toy?

I couldn't get anything.

Come Chikku.

Mohan this is the general

state of affairs.

What is money when compared

with the value of human life?

I'm glad you gave him money.

Now don't get disheartened.

Rest a little.

Kaveriamma...

...how do I wrap this around?

Kaveriamma has left for school.

For the decorations.

I don't know why she wants

me to wear this dhoti?

What's wrong with my jeans anyway?

It is the appropriate thing to

wear on Dussehra.

If you wish I can tie it for you.

How do you know?

Have you ever worn one?

It's not a saree, ok!

Ok then! Do it yourself.

All right, all right.

Just do it quick.

Come...

Give...

Hold it.

What the...

There, it's done.

Sure, it's done...

...but I hope it doesn't

unravel in a crowd! Or else...

Shut up!

Today is the auspicious day of Dussehra.

It was on this day that Lord Rama...

had slain Ravana and marked the

triumph of good over evil!

I am very happy that on this day

we initiate new students in the school.

May the Goddess of Knowledge

be with you.

It's Lajwa.

This is our little granddaughter Kusum!

Now, go and play.

Mohanji, where are you off?

Why don't you spend some time with us?

I'm impressed. How well you've

tied your dhoti Mohanbabu?

How did you manage to learn so quickly?

It's pretty easy. It was tied in seconds.

You're looking like a bridegroom.

Thank you.

So how long have you lived abroad?

It's been almost twelve years now.

You must have adapted yourself

completely to their way of living?

We would also like to know a

thing or two about America.

Well... America is a big country...

We've heard that it's also very rich?

Rich it is. But there are several

reasons for that.

One among them is that their land

is rich in mineral resources...

Even our land is rich, but in crops.

Our strength... lies in our fields.

Do they have problems of rain?

Are they affected by drought

and famine like us?

And what about electricity?

They've set up infrastructure to provide

all the basic amenities to the common man.

Electricity, housing board, healthy

food and free education.

We have one thing,

they don't have and will never have.

What?

Culture and tradition!

Yes, agreed.

And till we have that,

no one can destroy us.

Ours is the greatest country in the world!

Absolutely!

Culture and tradition is our strength,

don't you agree?

Munishwar...

I don't think... Mohanbabu agrees!

Do you Mohanji?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes