Surviving Swami and Friends

Dr. Shastri, the computer-savvy numerologist, was having problems with his ninth-standard son. I had shifted my residence from Jaihindpuram sometime back and therefore escaped the friendly neighbour's nocturnal visits to watch the midnight TV serial. The recession was a godsend to my catering business --- people tend to eat more when they are on hard times while cutting down on other expenses --- and as my idlis were cheap and safe the clientele grew and helped me move to a bigger house. As the fortune-teller kept sending me frantic messages I dropped in on him last Sunday.

His son Prakash had suddenly lost interest in the school system, refusing to do home work, deliberately under-performing in tests and turning a pest in class, harassing teachers with fundamental questions they themselves had not been allowed to ask. Since I was a sort of benefactor to the family, having secured admission for him (Prakash) and earlier his sister in that prestigious school, I was called in for fire-fighting. The pest was not home. He had gone to play cricket with his friends on the Marina. (This was before the ban).

I asked to see the books he was reading. Since I had introduced him to a lot of English authors, I had the right to monitor his reading and Dr. Shastri took me to his room. Immediately I knew it was an open and shut case. There was lying on the table top two of the books no schoolboy can ever read without losing interest in schooling for all births to come --- Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn and R.K. Narayan's Swami and Friends. "Ha, there it is.! Don't you see, Shastri?" The numerologist, nameologist, gemologist, face-reader, all rolled into one looked at me like the dim-witted Dr. Watson. One could not be harsh on him, for he never allowed any books to influence him. Despite my efforts at introducing Copernicus to him, he insisted that the sun was a planet and all planets influenced your fortunes to some extent. He was kind enough to intercede on your behalf if you paid him well and mitigate their malefic influence. Copernicus, Galileo and Darwin, what did they know? I have given up on him.

Prakash was a different case. Though I admired his healthy attitude towards schools and the education system, I could not allow him to take after Huck Finn and Swami. I believe in the middle path. I decided to have a chat with him soon. As one who has survived a reading of the said books I was the best man to guide him. Like Jeyamohan who has survived many mentors and keeps saying, "You should know how to go past them!"