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| Sunday, 21 August 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Soldiers who
plundered the melon field
Sunday parable by Sunanda Mahendra "Look, some good for nothing fellows have entered your melon field by force. See what they are doing," said a neighbouring farmer to the farmer, who owned the red melon field known to the entire village as one of the best places where the particular type grew in abundance. This was an act of terrorism, thought the owner-farmer, who came out of his little hut shouting.
"Who are you?", the farmer asked once again. "We are soldiers and we are thirsty." "But surely this should not be the behaviour of soldiers. You cannot possibly be the soldiers of our King as I see you like a pack of thieves and plunderers." "Don't shout, we are leaving your field quite soon and don't make a fuss as we have weapons with us and we can kill any of you. We just wanted to eat some of these melons." The plunderers were too quick in their actions and they left the field after damaging the place ruthlessly. By this time, a number of neighbouring farmers too entered the scene to drive away the plunderers. For a moment, there ensued a dispute and a mini battle. Then the plunderers got into the horse-cart and left the place. The farmers who sympathised with the melon farmer saw the damage done to the melon field. They felt sorry for the farmer who had strived hard to cultivate this field which was the inherited land from his forefathers. "This is a matter to be reported to the King, especially as they had the courage to say that they are soldiers and that they can kill us", proposed one of the farmers. "Yes I want to do that quickly." "Do it right now before they enter another territory. I am also going to be with you." The melon farmer clad himself in his best clothes and walked to the royal palace with the associate as a witness. There he reported the matter to the good King who had the patience to listen to the entire event. "Did they say they are my soldiers?", asked the King solemnly. "Yes, they said so, my lord." "Then it is a serious matter to consider." "Can you make them out if there is an identification parade held here?" "Yes, my lord." "Alright, the case is now taken and it is in my hands and I am not going to be lenient on this matter." The King immediately ordered the chief minister to summon the suspected pack of soldiers, who had travelled by a horse-cart a few minutes ago along the road indicated by the melon farmer. Several rough looking men were brought before the King and lined up, in order to make matters easy. "Now see whether you can make these faces out." The two farmers went round and looked at each one of them. Both of them identified the faces of some whom they saw at close quarters. The royal wizard was also summoned to cross question the suspect soldiers. The royal wizard was well versed in the methods of lie detecting and came to know that they had eaten red melons. The King solemnly observed all what happened and wanted to know the judgement of the wizard. "It is quite clear and true that they have entered a melon field and eaten the fruits lavishly." "What made you do that inhuman act? It is indeed a punishable offence," said the King looking at the soldiers. "We were thirsty", said one of them. "Did you obtain prior permission from the owner of the melon field?", asked the King. "No, we did not." "Oh, that exactly is the offence. So I should impose a heavy punishment and prohibit you all from further engagement in my service. As a primary measure I will ask this farmer to give a verdict he desires and the gravity of the compensation I owe you on behalf of these ruffians, who called themselves my soldiers." The farmer, who owned the melon field, looked at the other one, who accompanied him. They exchanged a broad smile and looked at the crestfallen so-called soldiers who were the plunderers. "All we got to say is that we know next to nothing about the type of punishment that should be imposed on them, but may it be said that they are not at all suited to be soldiers of this kingdom. We are poor farmers and we work hard and we wish that the soldiers should help us. If they had asked us we would have given them a sufficient number of melons not only to eat but also to take with them. We, as farmers of this kingdom plead with you to protect us from this kind of inhuman beings, who take power into their hands. They are ignorant of one major historical factor pertaining to that melon field." "I wish to know that," said the King. Then said the melon farmer. "Your father, the late Great King of this kingdom knew that. Once, a long time ago, a great battle took place in that area and the great soldiers, who sacrificed their lives in the battle were cremated and the ashes were buried in that field, and out of that field sprung out a peculiar strange creeper which got entangled onto the trees. The fruits were known by the farmers as big red melons (maha ratu komadu). There is always a royal share (raja panguva) and a share for the temple (pansal panguva) and the share for the people who ask for it (game panguva). These people who hold power are not aware of these." The King listened and was happy to hear those words. The King turned his face towards the offenders and said. "You all should as a punishment undergo an agriculture training under this farmer and see that you do justice to the field and make it look as it was. Until you do that and become cultured, you cease to be in my service." The wizard nodded his head in agreement. |
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"Who are you, plundering my melon field and who asked you to enter it
without my permission?" The plunderers seemed to be heedless of the farmer
and went on plucking not only the melons but also damaging the unripe
fruits, creepers, and trees and vines as well. The owner saw a horse-cart
parked on the road. 
