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Pali

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Pali saw them coming towards their vegetable garden and walked upto the fence. She watched while Basu helped Mitra over the cross bars at the entrance.

We have a fence around the plot, like all other farmers in the village. It is to keep the cattle and goats out, there are so many of them around, roaming about freely Basu explained.

Wouldnt it be easier to fence in the animals Mitra asked.

I dont know. May be it is because we dont like to keep animals caged in, and also because it would not be easy to feed them Basu said hesitantly, not knowing how to explain. What are you plucking today he asked his sister.

Keera29 and tomatoes she replied. Goats should not be fenced in. Goat milk is very good for keeping us healthy, and to get the best milk the goats should be allowed to roam free and graze where ever they want Pali added to Basus explanation. Mitra had not expected her to reply. She had never spoken to him before and he had asked the question from Basu.29 green leaves

How do you know all this? Mitra asked, speaking direct to Pali for the first time since he came to their home.

My mother taught me she replied.

What else do you have here in your garden Mitra asked then, reminding the girl that he could not see what was in the garden.

You are standing near the onion field. Then we have a little turmeric and ginger. Beyond the well we have brinjals and green gram Pali told him.

Basu, bring him to the brinjal plot. We can show him she told her brother. Basu took his hand to guide him across the vegetable beds.

We have to walk along the drains that separate the beds. We will show you how we water the plants. You can touch the tomato plants on your left. She told him and crushing a leaf held it near his nose. Can you smell it?. Mitra was surprised at her friendliness and ready acceptance of him. His senses were becoming sharper and he could feel the sweet fragrance of the flowers which were probably in her hair. He knew that she would be wearing flowers in her hair, like all the young girls and women did, in this part of the world.

Basu, let him pluck a few brinjals she said, and Basu guided his hand to a plant heavy with fruit. Mitra felt around, touched a few fruits and selected one and looked in the direction of Pali.

That one is good. You can pluck it she told him and he twisted it and plucked it from the tree. Pali took it from him and her fingers brushed his hand. He plucked a few more.

Basu, can you pluck some agatti30 flowers, i cant reach them Pali asked her brother.

30Katuru-murunga-Sesbania grandiflora

We can cook them for dinner, and if you pluck some leaves we can have it with rice tomorrow

What is agatti? Mitra asked.

That is what we call this tree in Tamil. They call it Agasti in South India, because there was once a great sage by that name. At the hospital they would have used this leaf and bark in some of the medicines they applied on your skin.

Shall we start watering? Basu asked, and Pali thought there was a faint note of impatience in his voice.

Most vegetable plots have got a small well like this, which is used for watering the plants. Pali explained to Mitra, forgetting that he could not see what she was pointing at.

Those who do not have a well of their own? Mitra asked.

They have to depend on water from their neighbours. They give part of their crop in return, Basu told him.

Basu will start to draw the water from the well now. Pali tried to describe the operation, but found it difficult to explain to someone who could not see, even though it was such a simple device. She was not certain if Mitra could get a picture of the well, the wooden pole and the lift arrangement, from her description.

The water was guided into a drain, and as it filled and reached the beds of vegetables, Basu ran alongside and blocked one path with a clod of earth and directed the water on to a side drain. When it was full, again the water was allowed to flow further down. It was a tedious exercise, and Basu had to be on the alert to make sure that water did not overflow and that he did not waste it. He, at his young age already knew the value of water. All the while Pali tried to explain to Mitra what was happening around them. Mitra kept nodding, and asking questions occasionally.

He tried to explain to Pali, how they used to water their vegetable plots, carrying water in containers made out of leather, and sprinkling them on the plants.

Pali could watch his face as long as she wanted to, because he would not know she was watching, and she did not have to worry about avoiding his eyes. She studied his face, which would once have been sun-burnt and hard and strong. It was pale now, after the long illness and after staying indoors for so long. His unseeing eyes, dull and sunken, stared at her from above his bushy beard. She saw that his beard had not been trimmed for a long time, and was not as neat as her fathers was. He had strong white teeth which she could see when he smiled through his full lips. She tried to see if there were any scars left from his ordeal in the sea, but could not detect any. She did not expect to see any scars, because she knew that the treatment at the hospital would ensure complete healing.

Pali saw his eyes were turned in her direction, and she looked away, blushing. In a moment of panic, a thought flashed through her mind, that perhaps he really could see and that he was only faking. The thought vanished as rapidly as it had come, because she knew that he would not have been able to fool the physicians. She had absolute faith in the hospital physicians, and her dream was one day to be able to learn the art of healing, at least to treat the young children and women, if she was ever accepted.

What are you looking at? she was awakened from her thoughts by Mitras voice. Perhaps her silence had made him think that she was watching him.

I was just watching the water flowing.

You can see me, but I cannot see you. Mitra complained.

I am sorry. There is nothing really to look at, in me. I am just another ordinary village girl, a little older than Basu.

They stood silent for a while, till Basu came upto them.

Shall we go back? he asked.

Yes, lets go. Appa would be coming home.

Pali fell in behind Mitra and Basu, as Basu held his hand and guided him along the footpath that led to the village. Pali saw another girl returning from her vegetable plot and waited for her.

Is he staying at your house? the girl asked Pali, as she came up.

Yes, for a short while, till they decide where he could get treatment for his eyes Pali replied.

He is very handsome the girl said again, looking at Pali.

Poor man. I can't imagine how anyone could live without seeing anything Pali said, trying to be as casual in her voice as she could.

How do you know he is really blind. May be he is acting like that to get everyones sympathy.

He will not be able to fool the physicians, and most of all, my father. He must be really blind.

From where is he? Do you know anything about him or his family? the girl kept on asking.

I dont know anything about him. How would I know? she said in an annoyed tone.

Your father would have told you the girl tried again.

Why should my father tell me anything? she retorted, and added, Anyway I think my father has not asked him too many questions. Father says that he will probably tell his story in his own time.

I have to give some of these onions to my aunt the girl parted, and Pali hurried to catch up with her brother.

Sankar was already home from work and was seated on the porch, enjoying a cup of curd. He called his wife to bring curd for their guest, and the two children went inside, after worshipping their father.

Pali found her mother busy with the evening meal. She filled two clay cups with curd and took it upto the porch. She gave both cups to Basu. Basu offered one to Mitra who was seated on the mat. Pali rushed back inside to help her mother.

What took you so long? mother asked.

Mitra came to the fields with Basu, so I waited till Basu watered the plants she replied.

You know better than not to call a stranger by his name.

He is our guest, so how can he be a stranger?

He is still a stranger. We do not know anything about him, he is not from our village, not from our country.

Pali did not want to reply and went out to fetch a cup of water for father, but mother took it from her hand and went upto the porch. She could hear them talking, and wondered why she could not join them. Till today, it had not occurred to her that she did not have the freedom enjoyed by her brother or the other young men in the community, or that such restrictions would annoy her. She could not understand why she felt this way, or why it was important to her to go out and talk to Mitra, or at least listen to their conversation, or simply watch his face without his knowledge. She thought that perhaps that was the attraction, that Mitra was the only young man that she could look at, and keep watching, without having to meet his eyes.

She tried to think if Mitras face was more handsome than of the other young men she knew. It was only then that she realized she could not remember the faces of any of the other young men, because she had never had an opportunity to look at them closely, or to study their faces, as she had done with Mitra. She wanted to look closely at the others, next time she saw them, if she could do it without been noticed either by them or by anyone else.

In the evenings, after their meal, Sankar and Mitra would sit on the porch, chewing betel, sharing their thoughts. Pali liked to listen to their conversation, because it opened up a whole new world to her, that she had not known even existed. She heard about distant lands, huge ships that sailed the mighty ocean for weeks and weeks, of strange peoples, strange religions, strange customs. She did not want to admit even to herself, that she also liked to listen to Mitras voice, even though she could not join in their conversation.

Pali would sit on the inner porch with her mother, from where they could see Sankar and Mitra and would be able to provide anything they requested.

The sky is full of stars today Sankar told Mitra.

When I was sailing, I used to watch the night sky and wonder who created all this Mitra told Sankar one night.

Different people believe different versions of who created everything around us was Sankars simple response.

How was all this made possible? Is there anything that is common to all that is in the universe?

I know very little about such things. I have read that all things are made up of minute particles called Parama Anu. It has been explained by a Philosopher called Kanada.

I have heard that name.

There is a very interesting story about him Sankar said.

Could you tell us the story? Mitra requested.

There had been a boy named Kashyapa who lived in India about 1500 years ago31. He was the son of a philosopher named Ulka. Once on a pilgrimage with his father, he had noticed that thousands of pilgrims who were coming to the river Ganges, were scattering flowers and rice on the road. While all the others were praying or bathing in the river, this boy started collecting the scattered grains of rice. People who saw this stopped by to watch, wondering why such a well dressed boy, apparently from a good family, was collecting a few grains of fallen rice. A sage who was passing by, stopped and asked the boy why he was collecting discarded rice grains which even a beggar would not care to collect.

Why was he collecting the rice? Mitra asked.

I will tell you the answer given by Kashyapa. "Even though each grain by itself would seem worthless, when you have collected about

31 6th century B.C.

100 such grains, it could provide one meal for a man. If we collected several hundreds it could feed one family, and the whole world is made of many families. So, even a single grain of rice is as important as all the riches in the world".

The sage predicted that this boy would grow up to be a great philosopher, and from then on he was called Kanada, because kana means a grain of rice.

Did he become a philosopher?

That is what I told you in the beginning. Kanada was the first to say that when matter is divided and sub-divided and so on and so on, there would come a stage when the particle could not be divided any more, and he named it Parama Anu. This was long before your Yavana thinkers found out about it

Havent we all learnt these things from our ancestors, the Aryan people, who moved into India and also our countries?

Thats not correct. Our ancestors in India were civilized and had our own religious beliefs, our philosophy and our own science long before the Aryans invaded us. Sankar said with pride.

I didnt know that Mitra said.

Sankar had not been able to visit his father for a few days, since Mitra came home, and when he realised it, he felt guilty.

Why have you invited a stranger to your home? Sankars father asked him, when he visited him. Sankars father was old and feeble and could not move about as he used to. He had heard about the stranger at Sankars house and had sent word for him.

I invited him because he had nowhere else to go was Sankars response.

You should have told me about it before you brought him home.

I know. I wanted to come and see you but did not have the time.

So you dont have time for your own father now, his father reproached him. But you have time for strangers.

It isnt like that appa. I come and see you whenever I can, and my wife visits you every day. Is it my fault that you refuse to come and stay with us, Sankar asked.

I wont leave this house and I didnt ask you to leave this house. You are the one who wanted to have your own home, and left us he said, and in the same breath asked Sankar, Do you know anything about this young man?

Not much. Just that he had been working in a trading vessel and that he is from Persia.

Thats all?

Thats all. I think he is a Christian.

And you bring him into your house, knowing that you have a grown up girl also in the house?

What has Pali got to do with it? She is still a small child..

You are blind, just like your new friend. Your work at the hospital and as Damala Adikari is keeping you from your family obligations. Pali is a big girl now and it is time for you to find a young man for her from our community, his father said his voice growing louder.

There is still time enough for that, Sankar dismissed the idea.

No. Dont say that. I am very serious about this. You mustnt keep this young man in your house, any longer. You have to think of what people in the village would say,

I dont care about what the people in the village say. Mitra is a very nice young man and if they like each other I dont mind having him for my son-in-law.

What? Have you gone mad? What has happened to you? You dont know anything about him. Who his parents are, what their position in their country is, and at least do you have his horoscope? his father sat up shaking with anger.

Please dont get worked up appa. I didnt mean it he made his father lie back in bed and held his hand.

You have to find a place somewhere else for this man to stay. Dont keep him in your house, his father said again.

He will be leaving as soon as we hear from the Kanagama eye hospital he assured his father, and went inside to speak to his mother, who was busy preparing her husbands meal.

Why do you make your appa angry, every time you come here? she asked him, slapping his hand away from the basket where she was keeping the fried banana chips.

I didnt make him angry. He wants me to send that young man away.

Why dont you bring him here? I would like to see him, his mother said.

I cant. Appa will get mad again, he said, and then added, unless he could stay here, he looked at his mother happy with the solution he had thought of.

How can we keep him here? Who is going to look after him, as if I dont have enough work already.

I will tell my wife to come and help and Basu can help Mitra.

I will come tomorrow. First let me see this young man.

The following day Sankars mother visited them. When she arrived, Basu and Mitra were seated on the porch. She looked at Mitra closely, knowing that he would not know she was studying him.

Basu, I have brought something for you, share it with him she placed a bunch of palmayrah fruits on the porch near Basu.

I will bring a knife Basu ran inside and returned with a kitchen knife.

That was our grandmother. She has brought young palmyarah fruits for us.

What do you do with them Mitra asked.

They dont look very ripe yet. I think we can drink the stuff inside Basu said, cutting one of the fruits.

It looks good. Here, you can have this he offered the cut open fruit to Mitra. Basu had sliced the sides off, exposing a white jelly like kernel in three compartments. He directed Mitras hand to one of them and how to pluck out the soft kernel. Mitra pushed the soft white jelly out and tasted it.

Its delicious he said.

Go on you eat that. I will cut another.

This is enough for me.

Dont worry. She has brought a big bunch. There is enough for everybody Basu said, sucking in the white jelly.

Do you always eat it like this Mitra wanted to know.

No. We can drink it like this only if it is not ripe. We hardly get a chance to have such tender ones. When they are ripe, we can eat the outer pulp. It has to be scraped with a knife. I will get you some fruits when we go to the beach next time Basu told him.

But most of the trees in the village are tapped for toddy and so we dont get many fruits now.

Sankars mother stayed a long time in the backyard, talking to her daughter-in-law.

I am going back. Tell Sankar to come in the evening, she said as she left.

When Sankar went to see his parents in the evening, his father asked him what he had decided to do about the stranger.

I havent decided anything yet.

How long are you taking to decide. What is there to decide. Just ask him to leave, his father shouted.

How could I do that? I have given my word to the Mahawedna that would take care of him.

Then find some other place for him to stay.

Thats why I came today.

Why? have you found a place.

No. Not yet so saying he went inside looking for his mother, before his father could say anything more.

Did you see him? he asked his mother.

Yes she said.

So?

So what?

Do you like him? he asked.

I dont know. I didnt talk to him.

Can I bring him here? he asked.

You have to ask appa.

Why are you making it difficult for me. If you agree, appa wont say anything. Then he will not shout at me and I dont have to worry about Mitra, and you and my wife wouldnt have to worry about Pali.

I feel sorry for him. He seems to be a nice young man. Let me talk to appa.

What do I tell appa now? he asked.

Dont say anything, was her advice.

In the end when his father agreed, Sankars next problem was how to convey their decision to Mitra. He discussed it for a long time with his wife that night.

Cant you tell him that your father wants him to come and stay with them? she suggested.

He has not even met my father. He may not believe it.

Why dont we tell the truth then. That it is not correct to keep a young man in a house where there is a young girl of marriageable age. I am sure that he will understand.

I think that is the best way. He will understand. Anyway I will talk to Mahawedna and seek his advice.

The next morning Sankar took his problem to Mahawedna, who listened to him in silence.

What have you decided now? he asked in the end.

I dont know. I would like your advice, Sankar said.

I cant tell you what should be done. All I can do is help you to make your own decision. Have you discussed this with your wife?

Yes. But she cant go against my fathers wishes and so she has left the total responsibility on me.

You cant blame her for that. Our society expects that from her, but you should be able to understand what she really would like to do, Mahawedna said.

She is worried about what other women would say about having this young man at home. Already some women have been asking her.

We cant stop people from being curious about a stranger. There would also be others who are jealous about your new position.

I know that. But these things make my father really mad at me.

What do you think about Mitra? Mahawedna asked suddenly.

I dont know. From the time i met him here, I have found him to be a very pleasant young man. I feel sorry for him, Sankar replied thoughtfully.

Have you given any thought to giving your daughter in marriage to him? the monk asked bluntly.

Not as such. But I have been worried about the possibility of their getting to like each other.

If you are worried about it why did you invite him to your home?

I dont know Sankar said in a helpless voice.

I dont think you were seriously worried about their getting together. May be you would even wish it, though you cannot admit it Mahawedna watched him closely.

I dont know Sankar said again.

Did you think that Mitra was a much better young man than most other young men known to us from the villages around us, or may be you were more worried that she would marry a Sinhala boy.

I have nothing against the Sinhala people Sankar said in a slightly louder tone.

If Mitra asks for your daughter in marriage what would you say Mahawedna asked again.

I havent thought about it. But may be I would not object, only my father would never agree to it.

Why should he object? Is it because Mitra is blind, or that he is from another country or that he is of another religion?

Probably all three reasons.

Are you sure you dont mind it. You have to think very carefully that your liking to him is not because you feel sorry for him, because he is blind.

I know that blindness will not hinder him in whatever trade he selects.

If you like him so much, I will talk to your father, Mahawedna told him.

Even if you can convince him about his country, religion and his blindness, he will not agree to any marriage without studying his horoscope.

You leave it to me. Now the best thing is to take up your mothers offer, which will stop people talking about Mitra and you will also have peace with your father. And who knows, your father may get to like him too Mahawedna said with a mischievous smile.

You have really taken a huge burden off my head Sankar worshipped the monk.

I have one small problem left he said then.

I dont think it is a problem. You should tell Mitra the truth. When you explain it, he will understand and I am sure he will not mind moving to your fathers house Mahawedna told him.