PIG-FARM (SHORT STORY)
Evening... I had reached home, that too after two week long study tour with boisterous students, and every bone in my body started requesting me: “Premji.... please take rest... at least for a week!”
“When are you going to meet your uncle?”
“May be by next week”, I replied lazily, while sipping steaming coffee. “Mom, why don't you make some strong coffee?”
“I don't like to spoil your kidneys... You should meet him tomorrow itself... Don't you know that he is not well?”
“How do I know all these unless and until someone had told me?”, I was getting angry.
“He was hit down by a Biker yesterday, during morning walk... You know.... a small boy.... not even around fifteen... was riding that... And the saddest thing is, that bike doesn't even have any insurance!”
“Whom to blame? Only his crazy irresponsible parents!...... Mom... any fracture?”
“That you go and check”, Mom walked away angrily as he is her dearest elder brother!
It was a sunny day in December. Uncle was busy watching U.S. troops lowering the flag of command that flew over the Iraqi capital, carefully rolling it and casing it in camouflage in accordance with Army tradition, through BBC, all the while keeping his fractured leg being lifted up using thick cushions. A temporary sadness appeared upon his face. Military men are always military men, irrespective of nations!
Twenty eight years of Military service... The retired army man looked exceptionally fit except for his swelling right leg!
“Hi... Uncle”, I greeted him warmly
“Hi... Son... How are you?”
“Not bad”, I told even-though every limb of my body was aching!
“O.K. come on... sit here... see that... even the last soldier is returning home... You know... every war is fought on the expense of worthless common man!”
“And the wars will continue as every politician is not at all interested in permanent solutions!”, I said.
“Always they need problems for survival... or otherwise they will create new! Dirty bastards!”, Uncle was about to get violent! (Might be three pegs in the morning itself!)
Swiftly, he switched over to another TV channel, where a debate was going on the impacts of globalization on global economy. Some eminent economist, college professors and journalists were the active participants.
“Europe is in deep trouble... Greece is gone... Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain... now their noted cities are stinking like anything... as if they are going through war like situations... Newspapers mention them under a simple abbreviation... PIGS... using their initial letters! PIGS!”, the moderator of the debate opined.
“Poverty has the same ugly face everywhere! My son!”, Uncle lamented.
“God! One day from my life is gone for ever....”, I told myself as he was preparing himself to unwind untold episodes military stories... either self boosting or boasting!
“That time... I was working in Punjab as a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Army. One day, our Commanding Officer urgently summoned for me.”
“Good evening Sir, may I come in?”, I waited for his permission as military is a line organization!
“Yes... Come in”, Commanding Officer said.
I gave his a quick salute and waited for his words.
“The mess... how is it functioning?”
“Our mess functions quite well...Sir... There are no complaints now-a-days... Sir”
“Don't make the food so tasty”, Commanding Officer said in an exceptionally commanding tone.
“Sir?”, I was really confused.
“Without the waste, how can I run my pig-farm?”, he got angry.
Picture courtesy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/li703/236021331/
Hahaha! You got me laughing out loud! La, too good! This is a delightful story, related so casually and naturally, life in its usual ups and downs, with a bit of amusement to make it lighter. Thought-provoking and quite a pleasure to read. I also love the image you chose to accompany it. Hopefully you got some well-needed rest too.
Enjoyed the story...nicely written!
“Without waste, how can I run my pig-farm? Really enjoyed your story,publish your book before the pigs fly!
I loved the abbreviation of the word 'PIGS' in this entertaining short story ! Thanks -Raj
Every 'major' keeps a minor ulterior motive in mind...nice story Premji
The background carries this piggy poem and I enjoyed it very well you have that knack ...regards