Key words: Siripala, Sumana, Danawardana (local personal names) and mudalarly (a local name for businessman) “this story is imaginary, but raw materials were provided me with the environment I live, and this is not an attempt to condemn any entity in the universe, but please don’t misunderstand me! I always question this world”
Siripala is a father of two kids; the son, who is the eldest of both, very keen on studies, the daughter is still three years old. Siripala’s wife, Sumana, who studied up to level five, is really an active woman. She doesn’t work, but she is a good housewife. Siripala and Sumana are from the same village as well as studied in the same school. Sumana was pressed to give her studies up at the level five due to financial difficulties in her family. Siripala was little lucky, and he continued his studies up to ordinary level. Siripala and Sumana have no paper-qualifications, but they both are able to read and write well! Siripala learned a lot from the society as well as from the traditional knowledge. Although he is an innocent farmer by profession, he always manages his time to read books. He is having broad-practical knowledge in plants, and he gained it through his work with plants and soil. Siripala is truly a nature-lover! He loves nature! He loves people! Yes, It says ‘’ nature-lovers love the whole world evenly”.
There is a small forest patch close to his home. Some illegal wood-cutters wanted to cut some valuable trees in the forest on commercial purposes, but Siripala is their enemy. Siripala doesn’t allow them cut the trees because he knows on how it is important to protect such a treasured forest land for the balance of environment. A timber merchant, Danawardana by name, who is behind the illegal wood-cutters, is very powerful and has more contacts with elite people of the society. The wealthy, timber merchant wanted to get the tress cut, but he realized that Siripala is the barrier! Actually, Siripala is poor, but brave! He is a sensitive person and doesn’t bend his head in front of injustice. He loves the forest patch! He loves birds in the forest! He loves butterflies in the forest! He loves everything in the forest patch!!
On one Thursday at about 9.00 AM, I accidently met Sumana in the town and thought that she would have come to the market for some rations. But, her face looked gloomy! I was in doubt and asked her immediately “are you having a trouble?” And “why your face looks sad?” she didn’t reply me, but cried! She cried for a while and said with a sob voice “Siripala was admitted to the hospital the day before yesterday”, Oh! I got shocked! I swiftly rushed to the hospital and found the bed of Siripala on the facts of Sumana. He was on a bed, and his legs were fully covered with plasters. He started to cry as soon as he saw me. I asked him “what happened to you, Siripala?” My eyes were filled with tears! Siripala answered me softly:
“They came to forest to cut the trees last Monday morning, but I didn’t allow them, and then, they went back”
Yes, then? I asked him impatiently!
“At about 10.00 PM, I heard a vehicle sound and a vehicle stopped in front of my home and a gang with Danawardana mudalarly entered into home by using force, and took me out and hammered me brutally, and then suddenly they vanished”
He said everything in a single breath!
I asked him: “you didn’t make a complaint to the village headmaster?”
He didn’t answer me! He put the face down and said in a sob voice “how I fight with them, they are powerful, I am a poor farmer”
I realized everything and didn’t make him tired further. I met his ward doctor and asked about his condition and came back after gently rubbing his head. On my way home, I questioned myself! Because, my mind was full with a huge puzzle! I know well Siripala is a truthful man! He did no harm to anybody even to an ant! But, he loved everybody! Why did he face such a frightful situation?
YES, I HAVE A BIG QUESTION IN MY MIND TO MY DIVINITY (GOD)!
GOD! GOD! GOD!
WHOM YOU SUPPORT TO? WHOM YOU PUNISH TO?
PLEASE TELL ME! I CAN’T UNDERSTAND THIS WORLD!!!
WHY!!!MY DIVINITY, YOU ARE STILL SILENT!!!
Good Luck!
Bimal
Comments
Dear redwaan,
THANKS!
I think bro; the bottom line of the story is something common to many countries in this region. Possibly, some other countries in the world!
Good Luck!