Little Learning

This piece of writing was published here (thanks to a Reeti - a friend)
http://writeherewritenow.co.in/

“Let’s organize a feast this Dipawali”, exclaimed the eldest member of our small gang of children after the usual session of post match analysis at the washerman’s well (interestingly there was no washerman in our village since the last few generations). Some doubts were cast by some of my friends, echoing more of the concerns of their parents and grandparents than their own. Some jumped at the idea. I was somewhere in between - confused. Most of the members of the ‘khatti’ (that was what the sessions were called in Oriya) were elder to me and by quite a few years.

But then the eldest member ‘Pupu’ was convincing. Venue was decided, menu followed, cook was (s)elected and time and date fixed. We worked our further details of logistics including coming back early from school, ferrying the cook on someone’s bicycle, who shall bring which utensils, who will do the shopping etc. Younger ones like me got the responsibility of arranging water for cleaning and drinking – washerman’s well was our answer to both. Pupu was in-charge of the most important responsibility of all – money collection.

Some calculations were made and a round figure of Rs 5/per person was agreed upon. Some members opposed it. “Rs.5/- per person, we are not even having chicken or Kheer!!”, exclaimed Khoku. One glance from Pupu and he came up with real reason, “My granny would never give me anything more than three rupees”. “My mom had given me two last week she will not give nay for this week, I can manage one more at best”, this was Paku.

Pupu looked at both of them, breathed a heavy sigh of irritation and did some more mental calculations. Paku tried to help, but he was shooed off. Pupu needed more space than his head offered, he used the wicket made up of a tree branch as pencil and the ground as his slate and started the Black Magic we all call Maths.

“OK, all elders (four unfortunate ones, ha ha!) to contribute Rs.5/- , the younger ones have to give Rs. 3/-, not less than that, we are having a feast goddamnit!!”.

“Can we get our younger sisters and brothers?” I was sometimes very considerate of my sister.

Pupu seemed to like the idea “But you have to get Rs 2/- extra for them as well”

I did my maths – 3+2 = 5, then a big smile lit up on my face. The reason was not known to anyone yet.

“By playtime tomorrow everyone must get your contributions. Don’t come to play without the money” Pupu the in-charge announced as we all dispersed.

I went back home and after washing my dirty limbs and having said my prayers, I started a secret search in the house.

‘5’, this is all I have to get. This number started flashing in my mind. I have seen it somewhere. I don’t even have to ask mom for money. 3 + 2 = 5 this is all I have to get for me and Chiki.

Eureka ! besides grandpa’s big radio, there is where it was, five rupees. I went to his room silently, he was reading Ramayana and chewing his paan. I looked at that spot where I expected my prize and it was there, but so was grandpa who was now looking at me. I smiled and dashed out of his room.

“In ten minutes he will be out to meet the other village elders and discuss village matters over a game of cards” I was waiting like the cat, waiting to pounce upon the milk left unguarded by my mother.

I waited outside with some book in my hand and the opportune moment arrived exactly ten minutes after. I wasted no time in grabbing the money and putting it in my pocket. I transferred it from my pocket to my school bag. I was very happy, no default on my part, no excuses to Pupu and hey I would be one of the first to make my contribution of 5 – as much as the elder ones!

I ran all my way to the playground next twilight. I saw Pupu with the bat and some other guys around him.

“Hey, 3 for me and 2 for my sister, total 5” I could not have held it any further. I handed out my contribution to Pupu, and waited for acknowledgement and kudos for promptness.

What followed next was the loudest and unmusical round of laughter I had witnessed till then. I could not get any of it. Did they not expect me to get the money at all or was it the promptness

Pupu held up the coin for all to see and then with a most sympathetic smile said “ Buddy this is a five paisa coin, all you have got is five paisa” Then he mimicked me “ 3 for me and 2 for my sister”.

Another round of shameless laughter.

“But it is 5 right, and 3 plus 2 is five, right” I was thinking aloud.

“Dude, you should have asked someone at your home for five rupees. I am sure you saw it lying somewhere and picked it up.”

“Yeah” I admitted meekly and thought " How the hell does it matter to you, I am giving you 5 ".

“You got the maths right but Rupees are different from Paisa, you will learn this at your school” Paku it was.

“ 3 for me and 2 for my sister” again Pupu mimicking my statement.

I was flared up and embarrassed at the same time.

The whole afternoon practise session was punctuated with Pupu and Paku's mimic directed at me. I ran all the way back to my home thinking 5 paisa, 5 rupees, 3+2 = 5 and when I reached I screamed.

“Ma what is the difference between paisa and rupees?” I don't remember whether my mother taught me the difference then but that's besides the matter.

After all these years, whnever we meet, Pupu and others still chuckle with much delight “ 3 for me and 2 for my sister”

It would be unfair to me, to not to state that I was 5 years old and had not yet gone to school and the little learning I had in maths was from my late grandmother.