Principle of the thing

They were an old and orthodox Hindu joint family, but they celebrated Christmas nevertheless, with great enthusiasm. The agenda for Christmas week included a picnic, a visit to the zoo, perhaps a circus show, fancy dinner on Christmas or New Year’s Day, and a Laurel and Hardy. Those were the days when young people really did enjoy a Laurel and Hardy picture!

“Jethu (uncle)” has carefully counted out the money just so much for the tickets and bus fares, and a little over ice-cream. He had handed it over to his eldest son, who was the oldest in that group of brothers, sisters, cousins and second cousins; and “dada” to them all. No one else had any money, but that didn’t matter to a generation of young boys and girls who were accustomed to receiving little or no pocket money at all! Gathering his siblings under his protective wing, dada strode off importantly for the show.

Part 1 of the entertainment programme went off smoothly. The film was delightful. In addition to the sanctioned ice-cream, dada stood them all ‘jhaal muri’ from his own pocket. Being the only college goer of the party, he enjoyed special grants and privileges!

Part 2, however, which was the bus ride home, cast a shadow over an otherwise perfect morning’s outings. Fumbling in his pocket for his wallet to pay the bus fares, dada, discovered to his horror that his pocket had been picked! Perhaps they must might- just might- have a few anaas each, sufficient to pay the conductor who had stood by quietly so far but now beginning to look suspicious. But in his heart, dada knew that it was wishful thinking. No luck! All pockets were uniformly and absolutely empty. Dada was forced to explain his predicament to the conductor. Fortunately, the conductor was a kind soul, his suspicious looks notwithstanding. He let them all continue their journey without tickets. But it was embarrassing for dada and a blow to his dignity. His mind boiling with thoughts of hurt pride and indignation, he rode the rest of the way in complete silence.

There was a commotion at the bus stop when they alighted. A pickpocket had been caught red handed, and the public were happily and boisterously teaching him a well-deserved lesson. Dada threw himself excitedly into his fray. “Take this,” he said, “and that”– heatedly contributing his share to the blows and punches that rained down on the unfortunate man. Luckily his brothers and cousins managed to pull him out of the crowd before he got into serious trouble himself. They pointed out that this was not the man who had stolen his wallet. “Oh, I know that,” dada retorted, “but it’s the principle of the thing!” No one could argue with this bit of logic.