NOBLE THIEF
Part - II

Neelkanth concluded with his narration, “If you can use your famed intellect to figure out how my valuables were returned to me, I would be grateful.  The inability to see reason into this sometimes brings uncanny notions to the mind!   I get the feeling that all this is some divine act which God enacted to send across a message to me!”

Bakul smiled as he heard this, “You mean the thief was someone divine!”

“Yes!  I also feel that even the sage whom I met was no ordinary person!”

“Alright!  Let me think over this!  Anything else you would like to share with me?”

“I have already informed the Panchayat that I have got my belongings and have withdrawn the complaint.  Also, today both that lady, Vaishali and her son, Ved, came to my shop to thank me for the sweets.  I have also deployed Vaishali’s services in my shop and storeroom as a cleaner.”

“Oh!  That is very kind of you, my dear friend!” Bakul complimented hm. 

The friends spent some more time together and then Neelkanth took his leave.  After he had left, Bakul lay on bed and closed his eyes.  He then went into a deep deliberation wherein he began his analysis.

If all this was a manifestation of God’s divine will, like his friend felt, then there could be so many like Neelkanth who could be making rich offerings in temples.  Then, why was Neelkanth alone chosen to send any message, Bakul wondered. 

As he thought further, he increasingly developed the feeling that there was something else to this incident than some divine purpose. 

If the thief returned the loot, then it could be that he made a similar move in all other thefts he may have committed on that day.  He, at once, called over his associates and asked them to make enquiries with the district Panchayats if any theft complaints were withdrawn for, they were inexplicably returned a day before. 

In a few hours, the comrades returned and informed him that Neelkanth’s case was the only exception.  Bakul thanked them and after they had left, continued with his in-dept analysis.

It could be that Neelkanth’s theft was the only one perpetrated by the thief on that day which he eventually returned.  It could also mean that this theft was the culprit’s initial offense.  He did this out of some sheer helplessness and was overcome with so much guilt after committing it that he returned it!  Thinking of helplessness made his mind rest on that lady, Vaishali, who had pleaded with his friend for the sweets.  Certainly, she could not have had a hand in this theft! 

Then, his thought shifted towards her husband.  As a father, he, too, would have longed to fulfill his son Ved’s desire on his birthday!   Thus, it could be that while his wife choose pleading before Neelkanth to give her some pedas, the husband preferred stealing!  Yes!  This could indeed be the case!  Later, when he learnt about his friend’s chaste act, he was filled with remorse and returned the stolen items to their rightful owner!

The next morning, Bakul mounted his stallion and rode to Neelkant’s house.  He then shared with his friend his mode of thinking. 

Neelkant thought for a while and appeared to concur to the minister’s theory.  Bakul asked his friend to somehow make Vaishali’s husband, Viraaj, come to his abode without her knowledge, later during the day to which the latter agreed.

It was late in the afternoon when Neelkanth brought along Viraaj to the wise minister’s chamber.  Bakul had a good look at him who had straight hairs, expressive eyes, sharp nose, thin lips and a deep chin.  He was of medium height and complexion. 

“No harm will befall you if you answer me honestly, Viraaj!” 

“What is it, sire?”  Viraaj asked concerned.

Pointing to Neelkanth, Bakul asked him, “Did you steal this person’s belongings a couple of days ago?”

The face of Viraaj fell pale and he looked at the ground.

“I repeat!  No harm would come your way if you are honest!”  Bakul emphasized.

Viraaj slightly gave a nod even as he looked up.  “My family’s impoverished situation and my utter helplessness to put things on track had filled me in with frustration.  My son’s desire to have pedas from Neelkantji’s shop only made matters worse for me!  It is in these moments of adversity that I decided to put my foot in the wrong path. 

A couple of weeks ago when I visited the Lord Ganesha temple in the morning, I saw Neelkantji making rich offerings before the deity.  I overheard some devotees saying that he did so on a regular basis every week. 

This gave me the idea of stealing his valuables and using them to purchase sweets from his very shop!  My conscience hurt me, but I ignored it.

I began to keep an eye on his movements.  I found him go to the temple at the same time on a fixed day for two consecutive weeks. 

Finally, when I felt confident, I made up my mind to execute the theft.  The day before the fateful day, I told my wife that I would be going to the Ganesha temple and bring the delicious prasad for our child. 

“If we cannot afford those sweets, we can atleast offer him the temple prasad!” I told her to which she agreed.  I also misled her into believing that I might also meet some of my old friends who may help me get employment somewhere.  I informed her that it may be noon by the time I returned home.  

Vaishali usually respected my decisions but since the coming day was Ved’s birthday, she offered some resistance.  However, I finally had my way!   

I lied to her because I had decided to purchase the sweets a little before noon.  I had observed that Neelkantji used to move out of the shop for atleast half an hour in the noon for lunch.  I, thus, decided to enter the shop in his absence. 

Although I had decided to cover my face while committing the crime, I did not want to take any chances!  Neelkantji may find my body structure, voice and even my clothing familiar!   

As planned, yesterday I managed to commit the theft and then went to the temple and got the prasad.  After walking a distance, I pulled out a neatly wrapped small bag that I had tugged under my waist, untied the bundle and put all the valuables inside it. 

I roamed about in the streets to while away time.  All along, I was feeling guilty over what I had done but I pacified myself with the thought that this may enable my son to be in good spirits. 

As noon approached, I came near the shop where I was surprised to see my wife standing there on the other side of the street!  I wondered as to what she was doing there!  I was even more taken aback when she approached Neelkantji and conversed with him!  My jaw almost fell open when sire handed over a box to her!

As Vaishali walked away I approached her and then learnt facts from her.  She got this idea to approach Neelkantji in the morning when she saw our son being very upset over not being gifted with what he desired. 

When I learnt of Neelkantji’s noble act, I was overwhelmed by a sense of regret.  The thought that I had robbed the very man who was so generous to have offered the sweets free of cost to my wife to mark my son’s birthday made me feel miserable and filled me with utter remorse over what I had done!  I decided at that instance that I should somehow return his items to him.

Vaishali only enquired whether I had got the prasad and did prod much about what items were in the bag for she may have felt that it contained only the holy offering from the temple. 

She also asked me about the outcome of my meeting with my friends.  I answered in the negative and told her that I had go again after lunch to search for some job.     

I returned home with her and both of us enjoyed the element of surprise and happiness in our son on seeing the pedas.  Our appetite was full seeing him relish the sweets!     

After we took our meals, as Vaishnavi was busy playing with Ved, I quickly took the purple bundle from the bag, tucked it under my waist and ensured that the white cloth which I had draped over my shoulders covered the portion of my waist where I had secured the bundle.

I then left the house under the pretext of looking for some job. Till sunset I aimlessly roamed about in the streets cursing myself for what I had done.   

As dusk fell, I came to Neelkantji’s house and found that it was unlocked from outside.  I looked on both sides to confirm that there was no one around and kept the bundle near the door.  Thereby, I knocked the door hard a couple of times and quickly hid behind the trunk of a nearby tree.  I came out only a little while later after I heard the door being shut.  I looked at the place where I had kept the bundle and heaved a sigh of relief on seeing that it was not there!  Finally, it had reached the hands of its rightful owner! 

Just then, I found the door being opened!  Alarmed, I yet again hid behind the trunk and came out some time after it was shut again.  I ran away from there and reached my home.”   Viraaj concluded.   

“It is in such hard times that a person’s true character is put to test.  You failed in that test, Viraaj!”  Bakul opined.  “However, what works in your favour is the fact that you acknowledged your error of judgement and took steps to rectify it!  Promise me that you shall never again aberrate from the path of dignity and righteousness!”

“I promise, sire!”  Viraaj turned towards Neelkanth and folded his palms, “Sire, I shall always be indebted to you for what you have done for my family!  “Please have no reservations about your decision to hire my wife at your shop, regardless of my actions. She is a noble lady and that is the reason as to why I did not want her to learn about my theft!”

Neelkanth smiled at him, “Have no worries about that!  Also, I shall never tell her about your theft!  What I expect from you is to always stick to the promise that you just gave to Bakul!”

Viraaj agreed and Bakul allowed him his leave.  Neelkanth warmly hugged the wise minister, “Thank you for bringing this case to its logical conclusion!” 

“My pleasure, my friend!  While Viraaj is overcome by a feeling of gratefulness towards you, I feel so proud of you!  I am certain that Lord Ganesha would be relishing the best prasadam you have offered him this time!”