Deepawali is approaching and old memories are floating in my mind. Today I have some spare time so thought of sharing these with you.
In our childhood time, Diwali word used to bring sparks in eyes and smiles on faces. Children used to gear up from starting day of Ramlila and it was difficult to wait for Diwali after Dusshera. There was not so much of money floating in market and accordingly families had different budgets for this occasion.
But money and capacity to spend never took away the zeal. Many days before Diwali, we used to request for daily purchasing of crackers ( which were allowed only two or three days before Diwali), pistols and its ammunition ( a small card board box, circular in shape and containing either the loose ones or the roll of red bindis to be loaded in pistol).
Noise of these small patakas used to fill us with satisfaction. Children used to play soldiers & police man games with these crude metal pistols in hand. I remember that I used to get one such small box for 10 paise and was lucky if I could buy 2-3 in a day. One day my mother gave me 30p, a big amount for me as I could buy 3 rolls today. Shopkeepers in locality used to be friendly one. I went to shop and asked for these; shopkeeper took the money and asked me to pickup those from display outside the shop as he was busy in attending other customers.
I took the advantage of this opportunity and picked up 6 boxes and happily went home. It was evening hours and my father had reached home just before me. He inquired where I had gone. I told him and then he asked why you have bought so many today. He asked my mother and she confirmed of giving 30p to me. He asked me the price and I told it as 5 paise for each. He asked me to accompany him and on the way I came to know about his plans.
I cannot explain that what I went through in those 10 minutes and pleaded him to forgive me for stealing 3 boxes from the shop. He did not beat me or shouted at me but made me to face the shopkeeper. I returned 3 boxes to shopkeeper and apologized for doing this. But that Diwali taught me a very important lesson. I am grateful to my father for teaching this important lesson to me. He must have forgotten it but I still remember it every Diwali. Because of him I am away from many sins like drinking, gambling, stealing, cheating, abusing etc.
