The Last Meal

Dhondu, a daily wage worker was being walked to the courtroom in handcuffs by a team of constables led by a senior inspector. He was looking at all the people walking around and feeling like he did not belong there. 

He asked the constable if any of these people walking around were there for murdering anyone. The constable replied that there could have been few murder cases being tried that day. 

They walked into the courtroom where Dhondu was to receive his judgement.  He looked around and saw three people sitting around the room. They were journalists. 

Just then the judge was announced and everybody stood up. The judge took his seat and everybody followed suit. The judge asked about the case and he was informed about it. 

Dhondu, being the centre of attention was asked to stand up. He looked at the judge as he deliberated the case papers in front of him. 

The judge asked Dhondu if he was ready for his sentencing. Dhondu looked up and nodded. 

The judge then stated that for the crime of murdering a man under the influence of alcohol, he was to be hanged till dead in three days. 

Dhondu had never expected that it would come to this and started weeping. 

He thought of his young son who would be all alone since his mother was long dead. The sound of the gavel brought him back and he was escorted back to jail. 

When he was back in his cell, a pandit and a social worker came to see him. 

The pandit spoke with him about how life is precious and how it must be utilised in the acquisition of true knowledge. He gave Dhondu a thin booklet about the eternal soul and left. 

The social worker asked him what would be his last wish. 

Dhondu was surprised at the question. He asked if he could ask for anything? 

The social worker replied saying yes. 

Dhondu’s eyes lit up for a moment. He said the ‘I want to have a good meal. I want fish and mutton and dal and rice and chapati and chaas.’ 

She said okay and told him to rest and his wish would be fulfilled. She walked away. 

The night before the day of the hanging a constable came to Dhondu’s cell followed by a man carrying a large tray of food. The cell was opened and the tray was placed in front of Dhondu. 

Dhondu licked his lips and took one bite of each of the dishes on the tray. He finished with a sip of chaas and asked the constable if he would please pack the remaining food and give it to his young son saying “my son may never get to eat such a meal ever again.”

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