Every Man has His Day

by Mohan M Prasad
(India )

This boy hardly 15 years old, was seen pelting stones and chasing the stray dog in the dusty street of the town; as if he had to now and here settle some score with the poor creature.

The old man of the village saw what was happening and felt pity on the dog and decided to go across to the boy to advise him against hurting the poor animal.

"Look my dear, what you are doing is not fair, now you have been hurling stones at the dog and the poor animal has been running as if for life."

"Remember, in the law of life cycle, there is always the payback period for our good or bad deeds."

The boy in utter innocence enquired "why Uncle what will happen".

"Maybe, in your next birth, you will be born a dog and some boy like you will pelt stones at you, the way you are doing now. I am sure it's going to hurt...".

The boy had a sharp stone ready for pelting in his hands and silently dropped it, but not before having his last words.

"Uncle maybe, you never know in the last birth, I would have been a dog and this dog like me a human being. Today I want to show this dog how much it hurt me then and, now it's my turn to get even."

The old man was just stumped, he had no immediate answer to respond to the boy and seeing him drop the stone in hand, consoled himself and walked past thanking the boy for dropping that stone.

He thought to himself - I am glad he understood me while I am yet to understand his logic.

Post Script: Thank you dad, I know you were that smart naughty boy and what transpired then has inspired me now to write this short story.

Mohan M Prasad