CHAPTER 8: Help Declined

As the villagers were about to toy the wooden logs in the water, they heard a voice from behind. “May I volunteer to help?”

As they looked behind, they found Aryaman standing before them. Some of them had seen him in the Panchayat meeting the previous evening and thus recognized him.

“If you allow me to carry your children to their place of destination, then it would certainly save travelling time. This might give them more time to study at home.”

“No!” denied one parent vehemently. “You had gone against the Panchayat. If we take your help, it might invite their ire!” Many agreed with him.

“It is your wish!” Aryaman exclaimed dejected. “However the fact remains that I will raise my voice against injustice which was what I did.”

“You are right, sire!” One of the villagers took his side. All the others glared at him.

“I strongly feel that Shailendra deserved no punishment. He may have gone a little far by slapping that upper caste member but he deserves support for standing up against injustice! Whatever point he raised before the Panchayat are facts. However, since the majority was with them, I could not muster the courage to raise my voice. You have been an inspiration and made me speak my mind.”

“Gopal!”   One of the villager snapped.