Katriv Degh (Earthen Pot)

Characters:

Roshan Lal, one of the members of the Kalakendra Dramatic Club at Shivala Mandir Chota Bazar.

Mohinder nath, the uncle of Roshan Lal.

Kamla the sister of Mohinder Nath.

Poshkar Nath , brother-in-law of Kamla.

Kalakendra: A dramatic club at Shiwala Mandir Chota Bazar.

Early seventies. Sunday morning the entire summer world was bright and fresh and full of life. Cheerfulness was on every face. Summer green all around gave the valley look of a wonderland of joy-dreamy, restful, and inviting.

To celebrate the successful conclusion of the drama festival,   Kalakendra  planned to enjoy a non-veg feast at the Centre. Cook was summoned. Among other things, he ordered for an earthen ‘degh’ to prepare ‘kelia’ (yellow meat).
Roshan Lal from Babapora volunteered to fetch a degh from Kralkhod. On his way to Chotta Bazar. En route at Agahamam near Kak Optician’s Roshan Lal with degh was seen from distance by one of his relations, Poshkar Nath.
Poshkar Nath rushed to his home and whispered to his wife: “Mahinder Nath is no more. Poor fellow died very young. He was a real karmyogi. Peace be upon his soul.”
The lady asked for the source of the news.
He said: “I am myself the source. I personally saw Roshan Lal, the nephew of Mahinder Nath carrying a shran-degh.
The lady said: “May be the degh must have been for some auspicious function.”
Poshkar Nath authoritatively said because of ‘ase-senghea’ there is no marriage season and otherwise we too would have an invitation. The degh could not be for any other purpose than to serve the dead.
Soon the news spread like   wild fire. Kamla.without a second thought, yelling and moaning, beating her breast rushed bare footed to mourn the demise of her brother Mohinder Nath. Neighbours too joined Kamla to console her.
Hearing the moans, Mohinder Nath could not resist. He immediately came out and joined the crowd. Somehow he too beating his head reached his sister to know who when and where did expire. Kamla yelling said pathetically: “Bairaj is dead”.
Astonished! Mohinder Nath said: “Who told you? Believe me. I am alive.”
Hysteric Kamla said: “ No, I believe Poshkar who has never lied.”
Somehow peace was restored and kamla retrieved from the hysterical fit.
Poshkar was summoned. Poshkar said: “I saw Roshan with a gloomy face carrying a shran degh. at Aghamam.
By this time after sumptuous lunch, at leisure, Roshan arrived. Seeing the crowd around he almost fainted. Volleys of questions. Poshkar shied out for the rumour.
Finally people dispersed.
After some years Mohinder left for heavenly aboard. This time there were very few to mourn. People recalled the story of wolf and the shepherded boy.
Relations between Poshkar and Kamla; Mohinder and Kamla had turned sour. Besides,