MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS
by Subhajit Ghosh

"Badal, come here quickly."

Madam's familiar shout compelled Badal to scurry and display
his much-criticised face in front of her.

"What were you doing? Why aren't the buckets filled?"

"Madam, today there was a disruption in water supply. Water
flowed for about fifteen minutes from the tap and I could fill
only for that duration."

"Disruption? My foot! Why don't you tell me the truth that you
were sleeping and when you woke up, supply was being discontinued.
Liar! Liar! I know your tribe."

Badal kept silent. After all, this twelve year old boy knew that
his words would hardly convince his employer. Grinding poverty
at home has forced Badal to work as a servant in the Ghosh household.



"Look, how much he eats," Mrs Ghosh told her husband indicating Badal.
"Just a twelve year boy and he consumes as much as an elephant. I have
never seen a small boy eat so much in my life."

"How much Roni has secured in his Maths exam," Mr Ghosh tried to change
the topic of discussion. Roni is the eight year old son of Mr and Mrs Ghosh.


"Because you don't admonish Badal, he has become such a glutton!"

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable, Mr Ghosh proceeded towards the sink to
wash his hands. This nagging complain from his wife has spoilt his dinner,
and he left midway without having his meal.

"I've to get up early and take Roni to school tomorrow. I'm going to
bed now," Mr Ghosh told his wife and retired for the day.



"Badal, if I find you have not completed your works properly today,
I'll thrash you badly when I return. So beware!," Mrs Ghosh threatened
Badal before leaving for her office.

"I'll surely be late for office today," Mrs Ghosh told herself. "And my
boss had repeatedly told me yesterday to appear timely, because some
high-ranking people from the company were coming for inspection. My God!!
I'll be sacked surely," the thought crossed Mrs Ghosh's mind as she was
crossing the overcrowded street.

"eeee ...... eeee ..... eeee," the sound emanated from Mrs Ghosh's mouth
before her frame gradually collapsed on the road.

A car has just hit Mrs Ghosh badly. The driver had instantaneously applied
brake to stop the car on seeing Mrs Ghosh crossing the street carelessly.
He did manage finally to stop the car, almost as soon as it hit Mrs Ghosh.
Yet he has managed to avert a fatal accident.

Blood flowed profusely from Mrs Ghosh's body. Some people who knew her
immediately took her to the hospital. Thank God, she still seems to be
alive!!

Neighbours found out Mr Ghosh's workphone no from Badal and informed him.
Mr Ghosh rushed to the hospital.

In the evening, Badal went to the hospital with a neighbour. He found
Mr Ghosh looked disturbed.

"Is madam okay?" Badal asked.

"She hasn't recovered her senses yet, Badal. She has lost a lot of blood.
She is weak. She needs blood. I was looking all around for blood today,
but her blood group (A negative) is a very rare group, and not easily
available. If we can't find blood for her within a couple of hours, it
may be diifcult to save her," Mr Ghosh said. Tears welled up in his eyes
as he uttered these words.

An hour passed. Still blood couldn't be found anywhere. Mr Ghosh's condition
now beggars description.

"Sahib, can you ask the Doctor to check whether my blood matches that of
Madam's?. If they're the same, I'll give all my blood and save Madam," Badal
said.

After a while, when time was indeed running out, Mr Ghosh reluctantly
asked the Doctor to check Badal's blood group. And lo!, Badal's blood
group turned out to be A-negative.



"Badal, drink this glass of milk quickly. You'll be late for school!," Mrs Mazumdar hollered.

15/05/2001