LAATON KE BHOOT...
Pic.: Sherry Haridas
They are
a bunch of six boys, in the age group of 14 to 16. For the last two weeks or
so, their evening mission, every day, has been: to hit passing girls with water-balloons...
trouble them, harass them, anger them... and, do it more when these hapless
girls asked them to stop it... Whenever some harassed ladies or elderly men
would confront them, the boys would treat them with the same mischief... trouble
even more... tease, irritate, harass... and, then, run from there, mocking,
“Catch us if you can!”
Ladies, elderly men and innocent girls, yes, none of them
could ‘catch’ the mischief-mongers...and, it would go on, unabated, for almost
two weeks now. Many, including myself, had told these boys, in different ways
and words, not to go for such sadistic pleasure, not to harass... and, if they
didn’t stop, they might land up in problems. But, they wouldn’t listen; the
mischief wouldn’t come to an end...
Finally, late last evening, it had to...
Three tapori boys
were crossing the way. When they saw our six-member gang with the water-balloons,
all ready to pounce, the tapories
sternly cautioned them... But, teasing continued... Tapories, again, warned... Boys teased more...
“If you have the guts, dare...” the tapories challenged.
“Before the gauntlet could reach the other side, a missile
had, already, been fired by the tiniest of the six!
Finished!
By now, the three tapories
were, already, in the enemy camp... and, had thrashed the six boys black and
blue in a matter of few seconds...
And, before the mothers of these boys could come (on
hearing the loud screams) and save them from thrashing, the three tapories were out of sight...
“Catch us if you can!”
Laaton ke bhoot baaton se nahin maante.” True, you can not
chase away some ghosts with your gentle words. You need to do the job with your
hard stick... Thrash them black and blue!
Never spare the ‘stick’ and ‘spoil’ the child. The stick is
good, sometimes!
The six boys are nowhere to be seen, today!
GERALD D’CUNHA
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