Another story.

Once there was a kingdom, which had a peculiar practice. Every five years they used to select the next king. This selection used to be done by a group of selected learned men. The king would rule the country with all royal grandeur. When five years was over, the king was sent to exile into an island. The island had thick jungle with lot of wild animals. The animals used to kill and eat the exiled king. No king ever survived. If he survived, he could keep visiting his kingdom.

There used to be a boatman whose duty was to ferry the king to that distant land. The practice of this ritual was followed since ages. The rules of the practice were quite strict and practiced in letter and spirit. As a king, he cannot put an end to the practice. Neither the group of learned men can put an end to the practice nor change the term of five year duration. Because of this practice, no king ever came back to his kingdom. Imagine the kingdom without blessings of their veterans.

In one such occasion of selecting the new king, a young boy got selected by the group of learned men. He was briefed about the strange practice and was crowned king. During his five year regime, the kingdom flourished. There was a marked improvement in trade, agriculture, finances and every other sphere. The happiness quotient among the people was at the highest during his rule. Time flew, five years passed and the tragic day had come where in the king was to be deported to the distant island. The group of learned men was approached by the people of the kingdom with a plea to amend the rules and extend the king's tenure. 

The learned men were hand tied by the rules and the king had to relinquish his rule and set off for the distant island.

The whole kingdom mustered at the river bank to see the king off. There was sorrow and pity in everyone's heart. The king was garlanded, embarked the boat, bid adieu to the kingdom and started the journey to the distant island. 

The boatman welcomed the king on board. The boatman's name was Vasudeva. He is seen only when he has to transport the king to the distant island and the journey was quite long. The navigational skills of this boatman was so high that he never misses the route or get disoriented. 

Vasudev was quiet and silent during the journey. The king learnt that the boatman wasn't supposed to talk to the king while ferrying. And the king, too, should not bribe or motivate him to change the course. If he fails, the boatman also would be sent to the same island. The king could feel the sympathy in the boatman's eyes. The journey continued for several days.

After reaching some point in the water, the king could feel Vasudev nervous and mumbling. He could hear Vasudev grumbling "It cannot happen......I can never miss the route".

"What's the matter Vasudev?" the king inquired.

Vasudev replied "My lord, it never happened in my life, I guess I've missed the route".

The king smiled and said "Don't you worry Vasudev, you are on the right course. Just row a little more".

Vasudev rowed for a little more and suddenly the island appeared in front of him. But it was not the same island he used to ferry the kings. The island was transformed into a beautiful kingdom. There were buildings, castles, roads and farms. There were no wild animals there. Vasudev had never seen such a beautiful kingdom in his life.

He looked at the king puzzled. The king smiled and said "Don't worry. It is the same island. I have transformed the complete forest and island in the last five years. If I can't change what has to happen, I still can change what has to happen after that".

Vasudev also got down in the island and stayed with the king for the rest of his life. They started visiting the kingdom. The subsequent kings also survived and made frequent visits to bless the kingdom.  

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. The forenoon passed with the LDF candidate making a house call, asking for votes.

Lekha's classmate, Shameela, had dropped by at 1800 hrs, along with her sons and the local relations. It was nice seeing her after her tryst with cancer from which she has recovered completely. Dilip, her husband and a doctor, is at London. Their three sons are doing well - the eldest is an automobile engineer and the other two are doctors.

She has been here for the past 6 months to tend her mom, who has had a paralytic attack subsequent to a stoke.