A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

It was a fine Sunday afternoon. Nine-year-old Rohit helped his mother clear the table, after lunch. "Ah, that's a job, well done, my boy!" his mother patted him. Then she said, "grow up quickly, my boy. Then you too can do many other things like carrying out minor repairs as your Papa does. How I wish your Papa were here! But, no, he is on tour most of the time. I now have a leaking tap. The plumber never turns up for odd jobs, even if I tell him a dozen times.

"I can do it, Ma/' Rohit offered. "Oh, no," she yawned and moved to the bedroom for a nap. Soon she was fast asleep. Rohit told himself, "Setting the tap right should be easy. I have watched Papa doing it a number of times." He remembered the steps, "Pick up a spanner. Tighten it round the neck of the tap. Unscrew the tap. Replace the washer. Put the head back in place and screw it tight." It looked quite simple. Rohit tip-toed to the shelf at the rear veranda, picked up the tool box and ran to the bathroom. The tap was leaking. Rohit pulled out the wrench, set it round the neck of the tap and tightened its jaws. Then he tugged, with all his strength. The head refused to budge."What would Papa have done?" Rohit thought. Then he remembered, "He would hit the free end of the spanner with a heavy stone."

He did that. The stone landed on his thumb. He winced with pain. Tears welled up in his eyes. Then he controlled himself, "I must do this job. Mamma expects it of me." He hit again. This time he was successful. The tap turned. Water gushed out. Rohit got drenched. But he did not mind that. Then he got a real shock when the head of the tap, pushed by the gushing water flew in to space. It hit the wall and bounced back into Rohit hitting him on the tip of his nose. "Ouch!" he sobbed. Meanwhile the head of the tap dropped down, rolled along with the water and got stuck into the outlet. Rohit groped around, as the water began to rise in the bathroom. He tried to prise the head out. But he could not. Water gathered in the bathroom. Soon his feet were under water. "What shall I do now?" he wondered.

He decided to use the screw driver to prise the head out. That was when he heard his mother bellow, "Hey, Rohit. What are you up to?" She caught hold of him firmly and dragged him out, saying, "What do you know of this job?" "But, Ma, I have seen Papa doing it, several times," Rohit mumbled. "So what. Your knowledge is incomplete. You should have done this first," she cut off the supply of water by closing the main valve. Then she managed to clear-the blockage. Water drained out.

"See the mess you have created...." She stopped on noticing the swollen thumb and the red nose and growled, "The bathroom is now a pool. And your thumb and nose are a bloody mess." She led him to the medicine chest and dressed up the wound telling him, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Remember that. Always."

A greased mouth cannot say 'no'

The commander led his men. They laid siege to the fort. They kept watch, round the clock. None could get away from the fort. "The defenders need food and water. They may have some food and water in stock. But that won't last long. The fort will fall soon," said the commander to his close associates.

The siege continued. Even after a month, there was no sign of panic on the part of the defenders. The commander however remained cool. "Victory will be ours," he said confidently. That night, he rode away, to the neighbouring town. He reached a house, set on the outskirts of the town. He knocked. Someone asked, "Who is there?" The Commander introduced himself. The door opened. "Come in," said the host, not showing much enthusiasm on seeing the guest.

"You don't seem to be happy to see me," the commander stared at the host. "You know the reason. I was once an official at the fort. I have retired. I have settled down here, far from the fort. If the news that I have met you, reaches the defenders, sounded scared. will be a dead man," he "Well, I won't stay even a minute more than is necessary. I have helped you with funds several times when you were working at the fort. I never asked you for any favour. Now I want it. Tel I me, is there a secret tunnel to the fort?" the commander waited for an
answer. "I ... Well ..." the host stammered.

"Tell me. Or I will send to your master the documents to prove that you have taken bribe from me. That will be the end of you." The host reluctantly gave the information. The commander rode away, telling himself, "A greased mouth can never say NO." Next day, after dusk, he led a few soldiers to the mouth of the tunnel. He directed them to sneak in and take the men who were at the main gate. The men at the gate were taken by surprise. The drawbridge came down. The attacking army swarmed in. Soon the fort fell.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Sudama was a poor Brahmin. He and his family lived in utter poverty and misery. For days together, they had very little to eat. They often slept without having any food at all. Sudama cursed himself for not being able to provide for his family. The thoughts of committing suicide often crossed his mind. Once in a fit of depression he voiced histhoughtsto his wife. She tried to console her husband and then, reminded him of his friendship with Lord Krishna—the King of Dwarika. As children Krishna and Sudama had lived and studied together in Sandipan Muni's Ashram. "Go to him", she pleaded, "Krishna is all powerful, kind and generous. 

He will surely help you in this hour of need". Sudama hesitated, "He is a King and I'm just a poor wretched Brahmin. How can I visit him?" "So what!" she countered, "friendship is above class differences. You must seek his help. I can't see our children dying of hunger." Finally Sudama agreed to visit Krishna. His wife borrowed some rice from neighbourhood and gave it to Sudama as a gift for his friend. Sudama started on his journey. At the Palace gate, the guard refused Sudama an entry inside. Sudama argued that he was an old childhood friend of the King and wouldn't leave without seeing him. The word of commotion reached Lord Krishna. As soon as he heard Sudama's name, barefooted Krishna ran out to meet his friend. Both the friends embraced each other and shed tears of joy. Then with great honour and ceremony Krishna led Sudama inside the Palace. There, he himself washed and dried the dirty and bruised feet of his friend and made him sit on the throne. 

Krishna's wives themselves attended on them, as the two friends ate and talked of the old days at their teacher's ashram. During the course of meal Krishna asked Sudama, "What gift have you brought for me?" Sudama was too embarrassed to bring out the little poor quality rice tied up in an old rag. But Krishna snatched the bundle from him and ate the rice flakes with great relish leaving his own grand royal feast. After the meal Krishna made Sudama lie in his Kingly bed. He himself sat there massaging his tired feet, until Sudama fell asleep. 

Next day, Sudama took leave of his great friend. Krishna along with his family bade him a loving farewell at the Palace gate. All this while, Sudama could not bring himself to reveal the real purpose of his visit. He left without doing so. His heart was heavy as he walked towards home. He didn't know what to tell his wife and children, who must be eagerly awaiting his return. The hungry faces of his family haunted him, on his way back.

But a pleasant surprise a waited him at home. A beautiful palace stood in place of his poor broken hut. His wife and children dressed in silken clothes and jewellery greeted him at the gate. Krishna had blessed their lives with prosperity. He had also saved Sudama from the humiliation of asking for anything. Krishna was a great friend indeed, who came to his friend's rescue in his hour of need.