IDIOT

FICTION-POTTAN (IDIOT) His origin is obscure. Some say it was Paru who discovered him. Paru is the sweeper, who, while cleaning the premises of the grocery shop in the village, saw some movement in a bundle of cloths. On closer examination, it was a baby, hardy a day old. She took it home and looked after it. They called him chekkan, child, until someone called him idiot. He did all things, without any remuneration, ate anything given to him, always smiled and never quarreled like other children. Ask him to bring your baggage, left behind some three miles away; he will run all the distance and carry the heavy thing on his shoulders. If you give him money, he will accept, otherwise also he will smile and go about doing other errands. Only an idiot will behave like that; so the word Pottan became his name. Paru had her own children going to school. So she sent Pottan to school. Teachers told her that he cannot understand a word. So there too he was sent to bring tea, water etc. Pottan went to all feasts and ate till his belly bulged like a balloon. There, too, he worked like other laborers. No wonder they liked Pottan. If you get an impression that Pottan is an uncouth figure, you are sadly mistaken. Far from that, he is fair and handsome. So it is not surprising that a young lady took a fancy for him. This is how it happened. One day, this girl arrived at the grocery shop, Pottan’s home, having got down from the bus, with a lot of baggage. Puttan promptly took all that and having placed each item on his head, shoulder and two hands, looked at her, indicating with his eyes- where to go? “Who are you?” “All people know me; I am Pottan.” “Idiot? I wanted to know your name.” “I have no other name.” She, Madhu, told that her father will return shortly from Dubai and set up business there. She gave him a hundred rupee note and Paru was very glad to have it. Slowly their attachment thickened and she took Pottan as her escort, wherever she went. She was a graduate and computer programmer. She slowly taught Pottan to speak and understand English words. She tried to make him understand the working of computer. Pottan now approached eighteen years of age and was appointed as peon in the Panchayat Office. He was given the name of Gautam by Madhu, because he cannot be a Pottan in office records. In fact, all were surprised by the change in the boy, who now commanded respect. It was a great relief for Paru, who was struggling with four daughters, all growing too fast. There was no help from her husband who was a drunkard. When Panchayat elections came, Madhu contested as President, because it was reserved for women. Pottan, as he was still called by the villagers, worked hard and Madhu won by a comfortable majority. Madhu’s father came and established his own business in the town. Gautam was the natural selection for the post of office boy. All went well for a period. One evening, Madhu and Pottan were returning from the town. It was Sunday and there was no bus for the village. They decided to walk. The half Moon shone brightly and a breeze cooled the hot atmosphere. Madhu held his hand and they sat down in an isolated spot. Intoxication of youth overcame them and the girl guided the inexperienced boy to explore her body, with its hills and valleys and hidden tunnel, waiting to be filled with his vigour…. Suddenly some one flashed the torch light. The next day, they discussed it. Madhu told him to go away for the time being, but he refused. Within a week, some people, armed with lethal weapons, attacked Paru’s house, pulled Pottan out and beat him to death…. Xxxxxxx Post script. Madhu shifted to Paru’s house and in due course, delivered a bonny baby. In its birth certificate, its name was Ashok and father’s name Gautam. Madhu never married and looked after the child and Paru’s family.