https://mouthshut.com/blog/ibhilqlpt/That-Thing-They-Do
A few years back, before the Metro era, one day we were enjoying the traffic jam at ISBT signal in Delhi. I was accompanied with my husband and one of his young cousin, who was very chirpy. After eating our brains out, he was hungry. Nothing much was in sight nor was the traffic in any mood to move. Suddenly he saw a boy carrying coconut slices. They looked quite fresh. He “cchhh – chh” him and signaled him to come over. He gladly picked 2 slices for himself, as we both politely declined the offer. Now giving him four rupees change was a big task. While I and my husband were busy with the treasure hunt, he got a new bakra – unaware of the fact that he was his next victim. He smiled at the poor boy as he was going to eat brains out. Following is the conversation between him and the coconut seller (C.S.) (a young boy age 12-14 years)
Cousin : Kya naam hai tera? (Whats your name?)
C.S. : Gullu
Cousin : School jaata hai ? (Do you attend school?)
C.S. : Jee (Yes)
Cousin : Ek nariyal se kitne piece nikalte hain? (How many slices do you get from one coconut ?)
C.S. : 5-6
Cousin : Phir to tujhe kuch bachta hi nahi hoga? (A coconut costs Rs.15, it means you don’t have any margin in this?)
C.S. : Aisa nahi hai, hame thoda sasta mil jaata hai (We get it bit cheap)
Cousin : Kitna? (How much?)
C.S : Hame Rs.2-3 ka ek padta hai. (We get it for Rs.2-3 )
Cousin : Itna sasta. (Damn Cheap!)
C.S. :Haan Ham bahut saare kharidte hain na. (We buy in bulk –he tried to justify)
Cousin : Really, kahan se? (We will also buy from there next time.)
C.S. : Silent Smile
Cousin : Arre Bata bhi, accha main to tujh se hi kharidunga. Lekin Bata to kahan se lata hai (Assuring him to be his permanent customer)
C.S. : Yahi paas mein, pando se (We buy it from pandits nearby.)
Cousin : Mandir se? (from temple?)
C.S : Nahin (No)
Cousin : Phir (then?)
C.S. : Silence
Cousin : Achcha Ek aur de, bata to sahi lekin kaun se pandit se ? (He buys one more as a bribe)
C.S. : Yamuna ke paas pandit rehte hain na – ghat par. (There are pundits on the ghats)
There was absolute silence in the car. It was too deadly. He was referring to the Nigambodh Ghat, where last rites are performed. Coconuts are an important ingredient in “Puja”. Pandits sell the coconuts to these boys, which they use in last rites ceremony. Since they get a lot many, hence extra money, since no one will buy them knowingly, they sell it to these boys.
Ever since I have refrained myself from buying anything, especially eatables from any signal. Who’s the culprit? I don’t know. That thing they do – made me change my ways.
