The Misadventures Of An Average Guy

Ch 6 The Magic Ring ?

The average guy had not yet passed the dreaded 10th standard. He had his board exam results arriving right around the corner and for the first time in his life, he had worked hard. He had given his blood, sweat, and tears for this exam. Suffering from conjunctivitis, his right eye was hurting as hell. Having been too busy with studies, he hadn't shaved in a few months and had a nice stubble, with an eye patch on; he didn't look anything less than that of a haggard pirate. 

One day his parents decided to take him out to a temple nearby. They hadn't been to the temple before even though it was wasn't much far. The average guy reluctantly agreed to visit the temple too. The Shiva temple was located on a riverine island. It was beautiful and serene. A white temple was connected to the mainland by a hanging bridge. The average guy felt a strange sense of sanctity when he set foot across the bridge. The wind was blowing and the trees whistling. As if the whole place was embracing and greeting him. 

The average guy submitted his shoes and walked barefoot towards the temple. Standing average at a modest height of 5'7" he wasn't exactly too tall, but somehow he had a sneak peek at the golden statue of the deity and then with closed eyes, he made his wish. The obvious wish, to score well in his exams. 

Now, on the island, there was a boating service too, and The average guy being an adventurous kid, enjoyed a boat ride. The sunset, the river, and the peaceful breeze. His mom started haggling with a shopkeeper over the fairs of some souvenirs. He noticed a row of beggars and he gave them a few coins. Now, in a corner a bit further away he spotted an old man. Now, assuming him, to also be a beggar the average guy pulled out a few coins. But on a closer look, he appeared to be selling something. Some junk metal rings. 

The average guy greeted, "Chachha kya bech rahe ho?" (Uncle, what are you selling?)

The old man replied," Beta, Anguthiyaan. 20 ki, 10 ki."(Son, rings.. these are Rs.20, these 10.")

"Mein, ek do dekhun." (May, I try them.")

"Han, han achhe se azmaa lo." (Yeah, yeah sure try them as much as you want.)

He touched a beautiful ring, but the ring was completely damaged and it broke into pieces when touched. 

"Arrey chachha maaf kar diyo. Main iske bhi paise de dungaa." ( Sorry, sir I didn't mean to break them. I will pay for this one too."

"Na, na, pese usike diyo jo ghar leke jayo. ye toh khokla tha, zang laga hua. Lekin jo dikhta hai, wahi bikta hai. Tumne bhi usi ko chuaa.. Bechaaraa seh na paayaa, bikhar gaya." and he grinned. (It's ok. Pay only for what you will purchase. It was rusted, appearances can be deceiving. That's exactly why you also were attracted to that one. Couldn't bear the pressure, poor one just got crushed.)

Now, the average guy started thinking that the old man was high. But didn't comment on the same. He tried a ring, but it was too small.

"Chachha yeh sab boht chota hai, alag piece hai." (Uncle, all these rings are too small for me, do you have any other ring.)

"Han , han. Jo tumhare liye fit bethe.. wahi karna, kisi aur ki baaton me naa aanaa, jese karr rahe, wahi karo aage bhi."
(yes, yes whichever fits you... Do only that, don't listen to others blabbering. Just keep doing as you have always done.)

By now, the average guy was sure that the old man was high and just chuckled. 

The old man pulled out another box of rings. And at once, one of them shone. Among the dozens of rings in the box, that one ring caught the average guy's eye. He picked it up. It was a wolf ring, A beautiful grey ring which has a red gem in one eye. He tried it on. It was perfect. It fit as well as if made just for him. 

"yeh, kitne kaa." (How much for this piece?)

"Yeh, toh tutt gaya hai, iske paise kaise lun, koi aur anguthi le lo." (This one is broken, how can I receive money for this, chose some other ring.)

"Arrey, abhi toh kaha apne, jo mann ki wahi karun. Yeh hi lunga mein."(Why, you just said to do as I please. I'll take this piece only.) The average guy smiled and handed a 50 rupee note. "Chachha, pura rakho, ek jo toda, aur ek  ye.. Aur mann naa maane, toh ashirvaad deto."
(Uncle, keep the change, one for the ring I broke and one for this one. And if you don't wish to accept that, then just bless me.)

He said," Yatha Twam Karasi, tatha twam bhogasi."

Now, the average guy was as confused as you my dear readers are. So, he just thanked the old man and left. 

He loved the ring a lot. He had it on all the time. A few days passed and he got his results. He scored 97% in his boards and more than everybody else he was the one who was shocked the most. He was extremely happy. He went back to the temple and thanked god. He again enjoyed the boat ride. But this time he didn't find the old man. He chose Commerce as his stream, while everyone tried to ask him to take Science. But he did as he pleased. He would wear the ring to every exam and soon he was too superstitious and dependent on the ring to give him self-confidence. 

The year passed. He was now in 12th class which is supposed to be another dreaded year with the board examinations in the Indian education system. One fine evening, his friends called out to him to stay after school to play. He informed his mom and stayed and returned home well after 5:00 pm about 2 hours after school had already ended. When he went to wash himself, he found his ring was missing. He was really sad. The next day, he searched all through the school grounds but was unable to find any trace of the ring.  
 
He told his mom that he lost his ring. 

"Good, you had become too dependent..."
"But, Ma It is my magic ring."
"Was... And the ring wasn't magical, you are"

The average guy was not satisfied and his confidence took a hit. It was evident and so, his parents decided to take him back to the temple. There, he purchased another wolf ring, this one was golden in color and looked even better and prettier. But the magic was gone. His grades were falling and he soon lost faith in any magic and stopped wearing rings to his exams. 

A few more months passed and he gave his boards. He wasn't exactly sure of how well he had done. The results were quite delayed and he had forgotten all about his magic ring. As he was cleaning his bookshelf, he came across a pen pouch. In the pouch was a grey ring... A wolf ring, which had red gemstones for eyes. Wait... EYES!!!.. The grey ring had just one eye as the other was broken. After months, he wore his magic ring. The next day, the results for his board exams of 12th came again. And this time too he had done well. 

He went back to the temple to thank god for his help. But this time it may have very well been the last time he visited the temple. He wished to attend his dream college and for that, he would have to leave his city and go further away from this piece of heaven that had greeted him 2 years back during a period where he had more confidence in items rather than himself.... 

When he and his family were about to return, it started raining. They rushed back to the temple premises. About half an hour later the rain stopped and they were about to leave again when a priest called out,"Aarti Shuru hone waali hai." 

The average guy waited with his family and then the aarti began. Now Aarti cannot be described in words.... Loud beating of drums and bells clanging, somehow any questions asked by a devotee during this holy event are answered with the rhythm of the drums echoing within their hearts and mind. 

But what the Average guy heard was, "Discard the ring which you use to call forth your luck. You will be lucky as and when you work hard and not on using that ring..."

The average guy was hesitant. He didn't want to lose all traces of magic from his life. He didn't want to go back to being nervous and filled with self-doubt. He didn't want to go back to being the, ordinary average guy... 

But as he crossed the bridge for what could have very well been the last time. He heard a loud chirping of a bird.. On the top of the hanging bridge, a beautiful Indian Roller was seated. The beautiful bird also the State Bird of Odisha, is a sight to behold.... The winds blew again. And in his mind, in that impulse... the average guy knew what was to be done. He took off the ring and flung the ring with all his strength into the river. The beautiful bird flew back... towards the temple. 

 He walked back to his car but a massive thunderstorm had begun.. Lightning flashed and the rain made it impossible to see anything. His father decided it would be best to wait for a few minutes... The little sister of the average guy, (who was learning Sanskrit those days) was reading a story book.' Short stories with morals' in Sanskrit. And at around 3:30 pm after 15 minutes finally, the rain and clouds cleared and they went back home. On the way back, the car was diverted near an Over Bridge to another route by cops ... 

"Excuse me, sir, what happened why is the route diverted."

"Sir, overbridge collapse in ....... area sir, 12 people are speculated to be dead sir. "

"Oho, when did this happen..."

"Around, 15 minutes back sir...."

Everyone in the car knew... This was nothing less than miracle or in better words... magic...
The average guy turned to his sister in amazement and spotted a few lines at the bottom of her little story book... 'Yatha Twam Karasi, tatha twam bhogasi.' (As you sow, So shall you reap)

Aah, my dearest readers, I apologise. I forgot to mention something very important, the Indian Roller in Hindi is known as NEELKANTH.... (Lord Shiva)...

The blue bird which was then seated on the dome of the temple... flew away into nothingness...