Deena was at his nani’s ( mother’s mother) house. There , he used to listen tales told by his mousi (mother’s sister). It was summer season. One night, he was enjoying stories with other members of the family. They were all sitting at the roof of the house in open. There was darkness of the deepening night. His mousi was busy telling an interesting tale.Her way of narrating the tale was so engaging that every listener was engrossed and got mesmerised.
In the meantime, a gang of dacoits had entered the backyard of the house. They had besieged the house. With proper planning, they also stealthily reached the roof. One of the decoits hurriedly identified some of the youngest members of the family. And he found that Deena, who was also one of the kids in the family, could be an appropriate prey to blackmail the whole family.Without delay, Deena was tightly grabbed by him, and he put a dagger to his throat.He threateningly spoke to the whole family : “We are revolutionists, and fight against the cruel and mean Britishers for the freedom of our country.We need money to defeat them. So, quickly take out your jewellery, money and other valuable articles, and hand them over to us.”
Deena’s life was in danger. In the family, no one was ready to take risk. It seemed that they had lost their voice. At that moment , fearless Deena spoke out in protest. He said: “You all are ill- behaved as the Britishers ruling our country. Like them , you are also doing wrong to us who are your country fellows. You all cannot be revolutionists, but only cruel and mean like them.”
After seeing the fearlessness of Deena, everyone was amazed. The chief of those dacoits had realised his real position. He was ashamed and felt guilty.He ordered his fellow dacoits to free Deena. Friends , it was simply fearlessness and truthfulness of Deena that changed the heart and mind of those dacoits.And Deena was finally freed by them.
n Dr Ved Mitra Shukla
