The Picnic.

by: Satarupa Rudrapal.   

---

Email this page

Print this page

---

His mother would soon be gone for her daily rounds of housework. He missed his mother but there was nothing that he could do. His father was a compulsive drunkard and contributed a bare minimum to the family. Since Chotu was not old enough to attend school, he spent the whole morning playing by himself. When his mother returned from work around one o'clock she started her cooking and in the meantime she also bathed him and washed his dress. He had only two dresses but he didn't mind. He knew some people who had only one.

Chotu was not bothered about all this now. He had waited a long time for today. He had been only three years old last year but he still remembered everything. It had been great last year when all those people had come to visit Amta for their annual picnic. He had felt so proud knowing that he lived in a place where people came for merriment and enjoyment. Amta was situated on the banks of the river Damodar. And people came here every year in winter in large numbers. And sure enough, he then heard the sound of a bus coming their way. And pretty soon two three Tata Sumo cars also came along. Soon the whole area was filled with people. All kinds of people in colorful dresses. Children played with each other. Teenagers played badminton and cricket. Chotu looked longingly at the cricket bat. If he could only hold it once in his hands.

A little girl came running towards him and he smiled. The girl smiled back. Chotu felt happy and as if he was part of them. But almost at once her mother came running and said, "Pinky, how many times I have asked you to stay with me but you are always running off." She looked at Chotu with an unpleasant expression; almost as if he were trying to do something terrible to her dear daughter. Chotu felt sad. He had liked the little girl. He would go home today and ask mother to bring him a baby sister so that he could play with her. But Ma would again start explaining how little they had to feed him; leave alone a sister.

Chotu walked off slowly towards his home. Suddenly he saw a big group coming towards the bank. They were looking for a boat to ferry them across the river. Chotu ran and called Alamgir Chacha. He had a boat. When the people boarded the boat there were shrieks of joy and laughter. Chacha called out to him to come with him as a reward for telling these people about his boat. Chotu was delighted. He had never been on the boat before. Ma never allowed him to go alone and she didn't have time to take him along. So this was a special day for him. He sat next to Chacha with shining eyes and watched the rhythmic movement of the oar on the water. After a little while Chacha threw one of the oars towards him and a surprised Chotu clutched at the oar. At the nod of Chacha's head Chotu started rowing and to his delight felt the oar move in his hands. All the children turned to look at him. Chotu had never felt so important in his life before.

After a little while all the children lay down on the rugs placed under the trees. Chotu's mother had come home and she came looking for him. She took him home for his bath. As soon as he finished bathing Chotu ran back to the picnic spot. His mother called in vain after him but today he was not going to listen.

By the time Chotu reached there the children had sat down to eat. What a lovely array of dishes. Chotu felt his mouth water with the smell of all those delicious dishes. He stood watching from behind a tree, he didn't want them to think he was greedy. His mother came twice to take him home but he refused to budge from his place. He stood there watching people eat with eyes filled with longing. He had never eaten such a meal. One day Ma had brought fried rice from her workplace. The taste still lingered on his lips. He didn't remember what these people had eaten last year. He had fallen asleep after taking his bath and eating his lunch. This time he didn't want to miss anything.

It was almost three o'clock when all had finished eating. Chotu's grandma came to take him home. He was leaving with her when he felt someone tugging at his arm. It was a little boy like him. He looked at the boy surprised. The boy pulled him towards a man. The man smiled at him and said gently, "Why don't you eat with us?" Chotu looked at his grandma who nodded. But Chotu shook his head and said, "I don't eat anything alone." The man smiled and said, "Very good, my boy, bring some utensils and take the food home." Chotu was so happy that he could cry but his pride made him conceal his feelings but when suddenly the little girl of the morning came and smiled at him, Chotu could not hold back his tears. Now it really felt as if it was his picnic. The man was saying something; Chotu hurriedly paid attention and caught the last line, "Your home is in a lovely place, can we come every year?" Chotu was too moved to speak. He quickly nodded his head vigorously. He would always remember this day. This was the best picnic of his life.