The (over) smart crusader!
One sultry evening, on the beaches of Goa,
While I was on a vacation with my family
Bouyed, and clearly “high” on spirits
I began to think all sorts of things silly
Nationalism was the flavour of the day,
Talks of development on everyone’s mind
I too decided to do my bit today
To the risks of my actions, I was a bit blind
And so I picked up the issue of cleanliness
The beach was littered with garbage you see!
And more was added each minute
Making it even more dirty…
So I started yelling at the garbage throwers,
Can’t just spoil the beach like this, how dare thee!
A local policeman, amused, silently watched me
He made no effort to help, making me even more angry
And so I went to him, and shouted at the top of my voice
Tried making him aware of his duty
While he looked on into the distance,
Oh! What a pity…
I was giving up my battle,
Clearly, these fools wouldn’t understand,
And how long could I try my bit,
On a high, I could barely stand
And then I felt it…out of the blue
A sharp hit on my backside, and I almost flew
The policeman had just hit me, I winced with pain
Before I could recover though, he caned me again
“Don’t you know, this is a liquor free zone…
Drinking’s not allowed.
And on top of that, you shout at me,
In your silly voice, hoarse and loud?
There is a lot of garbage on the beach
So much we both can see
And now you’ll clean it all up my boy,
Unless you want some more hitting from me”
I glared at him, but couldn’t say a word
Cause even my voice was slurry, and now every thought blurred
I hadn’t ever thought of changing myself, was trying to change the world
How easily I had forgotten that I too was part of the same herd?
I silently gathered my courage though, and found a way out
“Sir, how much is the fine for drinking liquor?” I said…
And please can I have your badge number,
If I complain about you too, please don’t feel bad!”
Two large, empty, strange eyes greeted me,
Gone was his swagger
If looks could kill….
He had the perfect dagger!
Then, slowly, he thumbed out, his earnings for the day
A crisp 2,000 I saw coming my way
“Please bro, I’ll take care of the beach, I promise, from tomorrow
And I’m sorry for the beating, please forgive me today”
“You be a better citizen, and I’ll keep a better watch
Change things for the better, together we can!
But never again do I want to see you again
Never ever in this lifespan!”
I quickly pocketed the note,
And moved out, singing my favourite song….
“Yeh kya hua, kaise hua, kab hua….”
Once sultry evening, on the beaches of Goa….
