The story of Baru ‘chor’

PC Sharma

THIS is not a biblical parable but a true story which my father often narrated to all his grandchildren to emphasise the virtue of hard work and good conduct.  Baru, hailing from a village near our own, was felled by unfortunate circumstances which forced him to leave his family profession of agriculture and take to the crime of cattle lifting. 

In his nocturnal forays, he made off with oxen, cows, buffaloes, etc. This was not an easy task as it involved quite a bit of reconnaissance, like planning the route to reach the cattle sheds and the way back, to escape unnoticed. This exercise also included identifying the cattle which would not give him a kick or gore him with horns. Also, he took care that his prey should be without any jingle bells around its neck, for bells serve as alarm signals against theft. 

After a good deal of tracking and recce, he zeroed in on the cattle shed of Ram Narain, a prosperous agriculturist of our village. In his first attempt, he deprived Narain of his cow. His success led him to visit the same cattle shed again and this time he took away a pair of bullocks, which seriously handicapped Narain in ploughing his fields. However, he bought another pair of oxen and his business was as usual but Baru's condition did not improve. His booty did not fetch him much — why — because, as my father used to say, “Choron ka maal lathion ke gaz” (the receiver of stolen booty applies his own yardstick and pays pittance for the booty). 

But Baru was not a totally depraved person. He reflected on his own plight and Narain’s prosperity. Shaken by guilt and remorse, he went to Narain and fell at his feet, pleading: “Please hit me on my head with your joota (shoes) as many times as you can.” Completely foxed at Baru’s behaviour, Narain asked him the reason for his conduct. Baru confessed: “I was the one stealing your cattle, and while my condition did not improve, your fortunes kept soaring.” Narain was a wise man. He asked Baru whether he owned any land. Baru said he did, but it was banjar. Having no means to plough and irrigate his holding, he gave up agriculture and took to cattle lifting. 

Narain consoled Baru and visited his land with his plough and bullocks. The entire piece was ploughed and made agriculture worthy, and when it rained, bajra was sown all over. It was Baru’s good luck that he had a good crop. His green fields filled his heart with pride and happiness. The good crop gave him new vigour and vision of his own good fortunes, like that of Narain. With Narain’s help and generosity, he decided to toil again in his fields and slowly, but surely, he regained his true profession. He started having good crops every year and his heart filled with joy. Often, he used to visit Narain, who forgave him for his depredations and also gave him a parting advice: “Dabb ke waah te rajj ke kha” (Toil hard on your fields and enjoy a hearty meal).