Copyright by E. Harikumar

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Eppozhum Stuthiyayirikkatte Ft mgpw kvxpxn-bm-bn-cn- s (novelette in Malayalam) by E. Harikumar Electronic version published in 2013 This book is meant for distribution among research organisations absolutely free of cost. Address: E. Harikumar 5B, Avenue Crest Apartments Avenue Road, Mundupalam Kuriachira P.O. Thrissur 680 006 E-Mail: e.harikumar.novelist@gmail.com Web: www.e-harikumar.com Copyright C 2013 by E. Harikumar 2

C. lcnipam 1943 Pqsse 13 \v s]m m-\n-bn P\-\w. A alm-ihn CS-t»cn tkmhn-µ \mb. AΩ CS n Pm\In AΩ. I -Ø-bn h v _n.-f. ]m m-bn. 1972 efn-xsb hnhmlw snbvxp. ai AP-bv hnhm-ln-x-\mwv. `mcy: ip`. I -Ø, Zn n, t_mws_ F o \K-c-ß-fn tpmen-sb-sp-øp. 1983- tic-f-øn-tebv v Xncn- p-h- p. 1962 sxm v sndp-i-y-i-sf-gp-xn-øp-s-ßn. BZysØ IYm-k-am-lmcw "Iqd-Iƒ' 72 {]kn- -s -Sp-Øn. 15 IYm-k-am-lm-c-ßfpw 9 t\mh-ep-ifpw Hcp A\p-`-h- p-dn- p-w {]kn- -s -Sp-Øn-bn- p- v. ]pc-kvim-c-߃: 1988 se ticf kmlnxy A m-zan ]pc-kvimcw "Znt\m-k-dns Ip n' F IYm-kam-lm-c-Øn-\v. 1997 se ]-fl-cm-p ]pc-kvimcw "] - -øns\ ]nsn- m ' F IY-bv v. 1998 se \me- m-s ]pc-kvimcw "kq n- p-h abn oen' F IYm-k-am-lm-c-Øn- \v. 2006 se IYm-]oTw ]pc-kvimcw "A\n-X-bpsS hosv' F IYm-k-am-lm-c-Øn-\v. 2012 se G hpw ani IY-bv p ticf tã v Ne- n{x A m-zan Ahm Uv "{io]m -Xn-bpsS ]mzw' F IY-bv v. BUntbm Imk v dn m Un-Mv, sh_v Unssk-\n-Mv, aƒ naounb s{]mu-, ]pkvxi {]kn- o-i-cww F n-h-bn-te s - n- p- v. 1998 apx 2004 hsc ticf kmlnxy A m-zan Aw-K-am-bncp- p. IrXn-Iƒ: sndp-i-ym-k-am-lm-c-߃: Iqd-Iƒ, hrj-`-øns IÆv, Ip paw hnx-dnb hgn-iƒ, Znt\m-k-dns Ip n, Im\- U-bn \ns mcp cmp-ip-amcn, {io]m -Xn-bpsS ]mzw, kq n- p-h abn oen, ] - -øns\ ]nsn- m, Zqsc Hcp \K-c-Øn, IdpØ X{ºm n, A\n-X-bpsS hosv, Cf-sh-bnens km z\w (I-Y-Iƒ 1966-1996), \K-c-hm-knbmb Hcp Ip n, Fs kv{xoiƒ (kv{xo-]- - I-Y-Iƒ), sh n-øn-c-bn-se- -t]mse. t\mh-ep-iƒ: Dd-ßp k -߃ + im]-ine, Bk- n-bpss A n-\m-f-߃, Hcp IpSpw_- ]pcmww, F n ss{u-hsd kvt\ln s] Ip n, Ab-\-߃, XSm-I-XocØv, sim -{ºm n, {]W-b-Øn-s\mcp tkm^v vshb, Adn-bm-Ø-eß-fntebv v. Hm Ω-Iƒ, A\p-`-h- p-dn- p-iƒ, tej-\-߃: \o Fhn-sS-bm-sW- nepw. Cu Hm Ω-Iƒ acn- m-xn-cn- -s. hnemkw: 5 -_n, Ah\yp s{iãv A]m Svsa vkv Ah\yp tdmuv, ap p-]mew Ipcn-b- nd (]n.-h.) Xr»q 680 006 t^m : 091-0487- 2251779 C -sa-bn : harikumar_e@yahoo.com, e.harikumar.novelist@gmail.com website: www.e-harikumar.com 3

Ft mgpw kvxpxn-bm-bn-cn- s C. lcn-ip-am- 1. Hcp ab- -Øn s] -t m-gmwv hmxn ap p ti -Xv. jntpm sr n-sb-gp-t - p, XnSp- - Øn I n-ens Xe- `m-køp as- n-h aps -Sp-Øp-Sp-Øp. F m Rmb-dm-gvNbpw D p-h- nbp-ambn h v Hcm-gvNsØ hkv{x-߃ CkvXn-cn-bn- p-x-cp Xan-g \mep cq]-bmwv Nm v snøp- -Xv. AXp-sIm v Dd-ßm InS- p- Xv shdpw ASn-h-kv{X-߃ [cn- p-sim- m-wv. Nph-cn-\-cnsI C Ãm n lmß-dn Xq n-bn j s -Sp-Øn- p. hmxn-en-\-spø Nph-cn-t -ep kzn n p apdnbnse Htc-sbmcp kn.-f-^v.-f hnf p IØn- p, j ns Ah-km-\sØ c p _ -\p-iƒiqsn [rxn-bnen- p-sim v jntpm hmxn Xpd- p. apºn B\n \n p- p. Hcp jnωokv am{x-amwv thjw. Dd-ßm InS- p-tºmƒ Ahƒ \oe tsm pw sh anunbpw \nd-ap tim bqwnt^mw Agn- p-h-bv pw. Hcp sk v bpwnt^mw c p Znhkw CS-W-sa- mwv \nbaw. "F m B\n, F m th Xv?' Cu A\m-Ym-e-b-Øn tpmenbv p tn n v c p Znh-kta Bbn- p- p. AXp-sIm v At hm-kn-i-fpss Bh-iy-߃ apgp-h a\- n-em- m Ign- n- n-. Ip n-iƒ v cm{xn D]-tbm-Kn- m Ipd- p-iqsn Ab GsX- nepw hkv{xw hmß-ww. shdpw jnωo-kn Ahsc ImWm hnj-a-ap- v. an -hmdpw Hcp-am-Xncn F m Ip n-ifpw ]Øp hb- n\p aosx {]mb-am-bn- p- -h-cm-wv. B\nbv v ]Xn-\mep hb-s - nepw Bbn- p- m-ipw. "F m B\n th Xv?' Ah-fpsS apjøv I A-Zv`p-X-`mhw jntpm-hn\p a\- n-em-bn-. "Fs - nepw KpfnI thtwm?' s] Ip- n-iƒ v tnmzn- m asn-bp- m-ipw. ho n enpn-tamƒ thz-\-bp- m-ip-tºmƒ AΩtbm-SmWv Ipip-Ip-ipØp ]d-bm-dv. an -hmdpw cm{xn-bm-wp- m-hp-i. B ka-bøv ssk n-fp-sa- SpØv SuWn t]mbn Bip-]-{Xn-bv -SpØv cm{xn apgp-h Xpd- n-cn- p Htc-sbmcp acp- p-i-sbn \n v KpfnI hmßn-s m- p-sim-sp- pw. "hb-dp-th-z-\t m?' Cs - -hƒ Xe-bm- n. "]ns?' "kmsd, C v PnknsS Dugm-Wv. Ahƒ v kpj-eym-tøm m Rm h Xv.' "Dutgm?' Ahƒ Xe-bm- n. "F ns Dugw?' "C v snm m-gvny-s. Ah-fmWv C v kmdns ASvtØbv v cm{xn hc- -Xv. ]tg kmdv Aßn\ym N w-si- o-cv -Xv. snm mgvn Pnkn, hymgmgvn Rm, i\ymgvn Zo], ]ns FtSevsØ Znh-k-ß-fnev Bsc nepw hc-sw- nev A ]d-bpw.' "F n\v?' tnmzn DSs\ Abmƒ -Xns A -iq-\yx a\- n-em-bn. Hcp-]mSv Imcy-߃ Hcp \nan-jwsim v Abm-fpsS a\- n-tebv v X n- -b-dpibmwv. XI-cp Hc-W-s - ns apºn \nev p Bƒ sh - m n-en Hgp-In-t m-ip A\p-`-hw. Abmƒ Xf p. Abmƒ Btem-Nn- p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. Im n ark-cm-pm-hns ASp-tØbv v Hmtcm Znh-khpw Ccbmbn t]mti- n-h-cp \n -lmb-cmb ark-ß-sf- - n. C v Cu am t]-s-bpss Dug-am-Wv, As - n Xs klpo-hnbv p ]Icw Chƒ h Xm-Wv. "\o Ccn-bv v.' Npa-c-cn-In-en Ãqƒ Nq n- m n jntpm ]d- p. I n-en-s Imev Ccn- m t]mb Ahƒ Ãqfn t]mbn-cp- p. "C\n ]td, F n-\mwv \o h Xv?' "t]mb kmdv H pw ]d- ns km?' "C, \nß-sfms \ Ip n-i-fmwv v am{xw. ]ns \nßss Zn\-N-cy-I-fv, ]Tn-ØØns Imcyw, Aßns\ Hmtcm- v.' "thsd-m pw ]d- ns km?' "C, ]ns \o ]d- n- s m, F n-\ms m h -Xv v. ]tg hm U t]mbn-t.' "]pxy Bfv h mepw CsXm pw sams- cvxv v Rß-tfmSv ]d- n-cn ym kmdv.' AXp ]d-bepw hnxp-ºepw H n p Ign- p. B sim p-ip- n-bpss am\-kni kω ±w F{X- 4

tøm-f-ap- mipw? Ahƒ txßn-tøßn Ic-bp-I-bm-Wv. ASpØp t]mbn Biz-kn- n- twm F bmƒ Hcp \nanjw Btem-Nn p. ]ns AXn\p an\-s -SmsX shdpsx t\m n-bn-cn- pi am{xw snbvxp. IÆo Ah-fpsS t\cnb jnωo-kn ]Xn-bv p- -Xv, AXv amdn Akp-J-I-c-am-sbmcp \\-hp- m- p- Xp I -t mƒ jntpm I Xncn- p. Abmƒ ]d- p. "\n Øp, Ic- n. Rm AXn-\p-am-s{Xm pw tnmzn- n- -s m. ]ns \n߃ v cm{xn CSm ss\ n-sbm pw Cs?' "Duw-Mpw.' "Rm \msf-øs Xp - m-cntbmsv hcm ]d-bmw.' "as kmdv Xncn p htczm km?' B\n kwi-bn- p-sim v tnmzn- p. "C, Ft?' Ah-fpsS apjøv `bw. Ahƒ Btem-Nn- p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. ]pxnb kmdnt\msv ]d-bm ] ptam Ah-cpsS {]iv\-߃? ]d-bm-sa- n Øs F{X-tØmfw ]dbmw? "F m tamsf, F m B kmdns\ A{X-bv v t]sn-bmtwm?' "kmdnxv Btcm-sS- nepw ]dtbm? ]d- m RßsS IY Ign-bv pw.' "C, Rm\m-tcmSpw ]d-bvwn-. am{x-. \nß v Fs - nepw {]iv\-s nev Ft msv ]d-b- Ww. \nßss Imcy-ßfv t\m m-\mwv Fs ChnsS tpmen v sh n-cn- -W-Xv. Bs F m \nßs ms ]tg kmdns\ C{Xbv v t]sn?' "Atßcv Rßsf h msx D]-{Z-hn- n-cp p km. Fs - nepw FXncv ]d- m ChnSv v s]mdøm- pw m ]d- n-cv -Xv.' Ahƒ ho pw Ic-bm-\p `mh-am-wv. "Icbpw H pw th B\n, shj-am-sw- nev ]d-b-. tamfns m s]mbvs m. kam-[m-\mbn sis-s m-d-ßns m.' B\n IÆp XpS- p-sim v t]mbn. ASpØ apdn DuWp-I-gn- p apdn-bm-wv. AXv Znh-k- Øn aq p t\cw am{xta Xpd- n-cn-bv -bp- p. cmhnse Ggp-ap-X F p-a-wn-h-sc, D bv v H v apx c p-h-sc, cm{xn Fgc apx F c hsc. _m n ka-b-ß-fn Ip n-iƒ v Fs - nepw Xn -W-sa p txm n-bm, Nmb IpSn- -W-sa p txm n-bm Hcp \nhr-øn-bp-an-. hf Øp \mbv ƒ v kabw t\m n Xn m-\n- p-sim-sp- p t]mse. ASp- fbntebv v Hcp CS-\m-gn-I-bneqsS t]mi-ww. Ahn-tS-bv p hmxn cm{xn AS- n-sp-i-bmwv ]Xnhv. Ahn-sS-\n v ]Xn-\mdv Ip n-iƒ p ` Ww Xn -s -SpØn sπbv p-i-fn-em n t{smfn-bn sim p-h-cpw. jntpm-hn-\p ` Ww apdn-bn sim p-h- p-x-cpw. Du ap-dnbv p-a- p-d-øp henb apdn-bn-emwv F v sndnb I n-ep-i-fn- n- p- -Xv. I n-ep-i-sf v I n v ]d-bm-sa-t -bp- p. \mep ac- m-ep-iƒ p-ao-sx-bp- m- nb s{^bn-ant ]mgva-c- -e-i-iƒ ASn- n-cn- -bm-wv. B I n-ep-i-fn-emwv B ]Xn-\mdp Ip n- Ifpw InS- p-d-ßp- -Xv. I n-en- m I n p \oßm-\p ÿe-ap- v. B apdn-bn-emwv Ah hf-cp- -Xv. Ah -Xn ]cm-xn-sbm- p-an-. Ah-cn ]e pw hosn-, IpSpw-_-an-. hosp- -h m-sw- ntem Xncn p t]mim H pw Xmev]-cy-an-. ho n-tebv p Xncn p t]mip- -Xnepw t`zw sxcp-hn-epd-ßp- -Xm-Wv. Abmƒ v Ip n-i-tfmsv kl-xm]w txm n. Cßn-s\-sbm-s -bmtwm hf p-h-cp Ip n-itfmsv s]cp-am-td- Xv? kvt\l-ap Hcp ho n-em-sw- n Cßn-s\-bmtWm? Hc-\m-Ym-e-b-sa- m Cßn-s\-sbm- -bmwv th Xv F p-t m. kvt\lw \nd Hcp ho n kvt\l-ap A -\-Ωam s m- w, kvt\l-ap Hcp A\p-P-Øn-bp-ambn hf p-h jntpm-hn\v CXv Ak-ly-ambn txm n. CsXms t]mcm-ø-xn\v cm{xn-bp Ah-tl-f-\-ß-fpw ]ou-\-ßfpw. AsX-{X-tØm-f-ap- m-bn-cp- p-sh v Btem-Nn- m IqSn Abmƒ C -s - n-. F mwv Ch snbvx A]-cm[w? Abmƒ Ip n-i-fpss cpn-ã-sd-spøp t\m n. F p hb p sxm v ]Xn-\ p hb p hsc {]mb-ap Ip n-iƒ. B\n-bpsS hb v ]Xn-aq- m-wv. ]Xn-aq v! Ah-tf- mƒ {]mb-ap- -h c p t] am{xw. ]Xn-\ p hb- mb Pnknbpw ]Xn-\mep XnI-bmØ Zo]-bpw. Abmƒ ]p-kvx-i-a-s- psh- p. InS- p-tºmƒ jntpm Hm Øp, c p Znhkw apºp hsc B I n-en InS- n-cp a\p-jys\. hrøn-si a\p-jy! Abmƒ v ]m]-]- n-e-amb B I n-en \n p Xmsg-bn-dßn shdpw \neøv InS- m txm n. ]pd-tø-bv p hmxn Ign DS-s\-bm-Wv amt\-p-cpss apdn. Hcn-Sp-ßnb apdn. AXn Hcp ]g- taibv p ]n n tai-tb- mƒ ]g- -\mb amt\-p Ccn- p- p. cmhnse F p awn apx Hcp awn-h-sc. AXp Ign v aq p apx A phsc. F mw HØp h n-cn-bv p- p. hcm- -bn-en Itk-c-bn-en-cp v ]{Xw hmbn- p-tºmƒ jntpm Btem-Nn- p. Cu a\p-jy-t\msv Fßn-s\- bmwv Imcy-߃ ]d p a\- n-em- p-i. h Ø-am\ ]{X-Øns Imcyw C se kwkm-cn- t mƒøs jntpm-hn-\xp a\- n-em-bn-cp- p. "]{X-Øn-s yms Bhiyw F mwv? AsXm pw amt\-pvsa v kω-xn- n- ym m txm -W- 5

Xv.' "CXn-s\ms F n-\mwv amt\-pvsa ns kωxw? amt\-p v kz w Xocp-am\w FSp-Øp- IqsS?' "\ Imcym-bn. Fs tpmen sxdn- n- -Ww v \n - t]mse?' "amsj \nßss tpmseym pw Cusbmcp Imcyw-sIm v sxdn- n-.' Abmƒ jntpm-hns\ h m-sømcp `mh-tømss t\m n. "\nß- Xp ]d-bmw, \nßfv sndp- m-wv. F\n v hb v Fgp-]-Xm-bn. ho nen-cn- -tw-xn\v ]Icw ChnsS h n-cn- p-wp. AXn\v amkw aq m-bncw In p-wpw- v. Cßn-s\yms Aß v Ign- p-t]m-s.' Cu a\p-jy\n \n v Hcp kl-i-c-whpw {]Xo- n-t F v jntpm-hn\p a\- n-em-bn. Ct mƒ ]{Xw hmbn- -W-sa p txm n-bm ]pd-øn-dßn G hpw t m`-p-\-i-amb Xte-s - p GsX- nepw ]{Xw hmßn-s m- p-h-cpw. AXns Xami CXm-Wv. cmhn-esø Xnc- p ]Wn-Iƒ Ign- m amt\-p apdn-bn-tebv p hcp p ]{Xw ISw hmßm. \mw-an- mø a\p-jy. ]{X- Øn-s yms Bh-iy-sa- mwv F p tnmzn BfmWv hmbn- p-sh-bv m a-bn- msx ]{X-sa- SpØp sim p-t]m-ip- -Xv. 2. am -߃ p {ia-øn kl-i-cn- ptam F -dn-bm C\n Hcmsf _m n-bp- p. ` Ww ]miw snøp enkn. BZy-t\m- -Øn Øs jntpm-hn\v Ahsc C -s - n-cp- n-. Ah-cpsS {]mbsa- m-sw- -dn-bm-\p {iaw Abmƒ Dt]- n- p. ap Xp sxm v Aº-Xn-\n-Sbv v F p-am-imw. Npcp v snºn Xe-apSn Igp-Øp-hsc. Ccp\nd-am-sW- nepw AXp a\- n-em- m Ipd p hnj-a-am-wv. Hcp Znhkw ImWp-tºm-gp \nd-am-bn-cn- n ]ns Znh-kw. \c Hcp ss\ n-bmwv thjw. AXns \nd-sø- - nbpw Ah-cpsS \nd-sø- n ]d- -t]mse Dul-ß-fm-hmw. c p X n-embn sπbv p-iƒ \nc-ønb {Smfnbpw D n-s m v enkn hcm- -bn-eqss h p. amt\-p p Nmb apdn-bn-tebv p sim p-t]mbn Ah XncnsI h p. ASp-Øp-X-s -bp ho n \n p hcp- -Xp-sIm v amt\-p v cmhn-esø ` -W-an-. ASp-ØXv Xs Dug-am-Wv. X\nbv p sπbv pw Nmb \nd m pw tai- p-døp h v enkn t]mbn. D pamhv Xs. CXv aq masø Znh-k-amWv XpS -bmbn Htc hn`hw Xs Ign- m t]mip- -Xv. \ mbn sh n- n- mø D p-amhv. Hcp I DXn Øm \\- n- n- mø dh ImWmw. CXp Ign- m Hcp awn- q-dn- p-f-fn s\ nse-cn n XpS-ßpw. C se hmßn-s m- p-h A m-knuv Kpfn-I-Iƒ _m n-bp- v. C pw thtwm ]co- Ww? Abmƒ Nmb Hcp Ihnƒ IpSn v m v tai- p-døp h v Fgp-t - p. C v Ip n-iƒ ` Ww Ign- p- Xv ImW-Ww. Ip n-iƒ Du apdn-bn hcn-bmbn \n p-i-bm-wv, {]Xo- -I-tfm-sS. enkn tai- -cnsi ]m v snbvx {Smfn-bn \n v Hmtcm-cp-Ø-cmbn h v sπbv p-iƒ FSpØp sim p-t]mbn tai- n-cp-h-i- Øp-an s_ p-i-fn Xnßn-bn-cp v ` Ww Ign- m XpSßn. henb D m-l-sam pw Bcnepw ImWm Ign- n-. "kmdv Ign- n-wnt y?' enkn tnmzn- p. "Rm Ign- mw, Cs m a fv Ign- -WXv ImWs.' enkn-bpss apjøv Hcp hnim-c-hp-an-. ` Ww Ign- p Ip n-iƒ AZv`p-X-tØmsS jntpmhns\ t\m n. Ah-cpsS Pohn-X-Øn BZy-am-bn- m-bn-cn pw Hcmƒ Ah ` Ww Ign- p- Xv Xmev]-cy-tØmsS t\m n-\n p- -Xv. enkn {Smfn Ahn-sS-Øs C v ]pd-tøbv p t]mbn. jntpm tai- -cn-in-tebv p \S- p. G hpw sndnb Ip n-bpss ASpØp sn p. C se cpn-ã-dn Ah-fpsS t] I -X-bmƒ Hm Ωn- p. F p hb- mb \µn-x. saen v Ccp-\n-d-Øn-ep Hcp Ip n. Hcm-bp-jvIm-e-Øn-\p- n A\p-`hn-t - -sx mw F p hb- n-\p- n A\p-`-hn p Xo Øn- p- mipw B Ip n. "\µnx tamƒ GXp m n-emwv Cs m?' Ahƒ Ip\n- n-cp v Ft m ]d- p. "\µnx c mw m n-emwv km.' B\n-bmWv ]d- -Xv. Hcp cm{xn-bnse ]cn-nbw ImcWw Ahƒ -bm-fp-ambn ASp- -ap- m-b-t]m-se. "tam v ]pkvx-sim-s s y?' "s s] knev Ign-bm-dm-bn.' Ahƒ i_vzw XmgvØn ]d- p. "AtXym? C vxs hmßn-ø-cmw.' "F m pw axymhvwvt m ` Ww?' Abmƒ F m-h-tcm-sp-ambn tnmzn- p. F m-hcpw Xebm- n. "F m pw CjvSmhvWvt m ` Ww?' Abmƒ ho pw tnmzn- p. Bcpw adp-]sn ]d- n-. Abmƒ Hmtcm-cp-Ø-cp-tSbpw apjøp t\m n. Hcp hnim-c-hp-an- msx Ccn- p-i-bm-w-h. tnmzy- Øn\v henb A -an-s - -bmƒ p a\- n-em-bn. 6

enkn h p. "F m Ign- nt ]n mtc?' Ip n-iƒ Hmtcm-cp-Ø-cmbn sπbv p-sa-spøv Fgp-t m XpS-ßn. ]e-cpss sπbv nepw D pamhv _m n InS- p- v. CsXmcp \nxy-kw-`-h-am-b-xn-\m-em-bn-cn- Ww enkn H pw ]d- n-. Ip n-iƒ sim p-h v simsp- p Igp-In-b- sπ-bv p-iƒ t{smfn-bn ASp- n-h v AXpw D n-s m v Ahƒ t]mbn. Ip n-iƒ Hmtcm-cp-Ø-cmbn Ah-cpsS apdn-bn-tebv p t]mbn. C\n Ah ]pd-s v kviqfn t]mipw, D -`- -W-Øn-\mbn Hcp awnbv p hcpw. Ip n-iƒ sh kvi pw \oe tsm p-ap bqwn-t^m-an v H mbn ]pd-øn-d-ßn. Abmƒ hmxn \n v Ah t]mip- Xv t\m n-\n- p. ] n hi kviqƒ ASpØ ]d-ºn Ø-s -bm- Wv. s]s v Ah-cpsS CS-bn \n v \µnx Abm-fpsS t\sc HmSnh- p. "F m tamsf? h Xpw adt m?' "DuwMpw.' "]ns?' Ip\n- n-cp v Ah-fpsS c p ssiifpw ]nsn- p-sim v Abmƒ tnmzn- p. "]ns, F m?' Ahƒ Abm-fpsS snhn-bn kzim-cy-ambn ]d- p. "s] kn-ens A Øv d dpw thww. F\n v thsd d -dn km.' "hmßn-ø-cmw, D bv v tamƒ hcpsºm A Øv d dp s] kn-ev mhpw ChnsS.' Ahƒ kt m-j-tømss HmSn-t m-ip- -X-bmƒ t\m n \n p. "F m B Ip n kmdn-t\msv kzimcyw ]d- n-cv Xv?' amt\-p-cm-bn-cp- p. Abmƒ skbv p IS v hcn-i-bm-bn-cp- p. F p awn- ap-x-emwv amt\-p-cpss tpmen ka-bw. "Ahƒs mcp km[\w hmß-ww v ]d- -Xm.' "CXm, I AXp-an-sXzm pw hmßn-s msvøv Ipt ymfvss kz`mhw tisp-h-cp-ø m, ]d-t - mw.' "Ahƒ v th Xv Hcp s] kn-em-wv.' "s] kn-es Fs ASvØvfv-fXv? Rm s] n IW- n\v hmßn shbv pw.' "AtXym?' icn p ]d- m BcmWv Ip n-iƒ p th km[-\-߃ hmßn-s m-sp- pi F -bmƒ -dn-bn- m-bn-cp- p. amt\-p-cm-bn-cn- -Ww. At mƒ -F- n\mwm Ip n Xt m-sxp tnmzn- Xv? "hcp, ImWn p Xcmw. C\n-sXm v Ip n-i-sf-s - nepw tnmzn- m Ft msv tnmzn- m ]d- m axn. CXn-s\ms Hcp IW- v v. amk-ønev Hcp s] knev, Hcp do^n- v, \mep Ip n-iƒ v IqSn Hcp tkm v, Aßn-s\ym-s.' jntpm amt\-p-cpss ]n mse Abm-fpsS apdn-bn-tebv p IS- p. amt\-p Iøn-ep k n tai- p-døp h v, Itke Hcp ]g- p-wn-sb-spøv XpS v AXn-t D]-hn- -\m-bn. tai- p-døp h ]ujv kmh-[m-\-øn Xpd v Hcp Xmt m q- -sa-spøv Fgp-t - p. "hcq.' jntpm \n p-i-x-s -bm-bn-cp- p. amt\-p Npa-c-cp-In h c v Ccp-º-e-am-d-I-fn-sem v Xpd- p. icn-bmwv, F mw s] n-i-w- n\v hmßn h n- p- v. ta tøbv- p tkm p-iƒ, Xncp- ºm\p _m tkm p-iƒ, SqØv t]bvãv, t\m p-]p-kvx-i-߃ s] kn-ep-iƒ... jntpm, A n-bm- n-h s] kn s] n-i-fn-sem v ]pd-tø-bvs -SpØv t\m n. H -t\m- -Øn a\- nembn AXv am - n sh v G hpw hne Ipd- -h-bm-sw v. A\m-Y- p- n-iƒ v AsXms axn-bm-hpw. F mw A Øv d -dn- m-ø-hbm-wv. "Ip n-iƒ v d simsp- ns?' "]nt? kviqƒ sxmd- psºm HscÆw simsp- pw, ]ns Ac-s m- - -co- - I-gn v kviqƒ sxmd- p-º-gpw.' \µn-x-bpss d \ -s - n- p- m-hpw, As - n tx p-t]m-bn- p- m-hpw. F m-bmepw hm p simspø ÿnxn v AXv hmßn-s m-sp- mw. jntpm ]pd-øn-d-ßn. enknsb I v ` -WØns Imcyw kwkm-cn- -Ww. cmhnesø ` Ww Ipd- p-iqsn \ m- m h hgn-bp-wt m v t\m -Ww. cmhn-esø am{x-a s]mxpth ` Ww \ m- m. Fßn-s\-sb- -Xn-s\- n henb cq]-sam- p-an jntpm-hn-\v. {ian- m-sa p am{xw. ASp- -f-bn-tebv p IS pw apºp Xs Abmƒ v _oun- p-i-bpss aww A\p-`-h-s - p. hmxn IS DSs\ AsX-hn-sS-\n p hcp- p-sh pw a\- n-em-bn. he-xpssi ]n n-tebv p ]nsn- n-cp-s nepw aq n \n v ]pd-tøbv p hcp ]pi \n -lm-b-bmbn t\m n \nev mt\ enknbv p ] n-bp- q. "enkn-t n B _oun \in- n- -, hen-t m-fp.' "C, AXp Ign-bm-dm-bn...' Hcp NΩ-temsS ]d- p-sim v Ah _oun ASp- -f-øn-æta IpØn-s -SpØn Nh- p-sim- -bn-en- p. "Bcpw hcm-dn- m, ASp- -tf-ev v...' Ah XpS p. "thsd H pw snøm-\n- -s m...' "kmc-ey. Rm h Xv Hcp Imcyw tnmzn- m-\m-wv.' 7

"Ft bv?' "\ap v cmhnse Hmtcm Znhkw sht sd ]e-lmcw D m- n- qss? F pw Cu D pamhv X ym-hptºm Ip n-iƒ v asv nt y.' "F\n v hmßn-ø-cw km[\w sim t m m ] q? Acow Dgp pw hmßn-ø- m CÕveow tzmiow m mw. amhc- m ChvsS ss{k -dv v. Acn-s msow ISsew hmßn-ø- m ]n pw IS-e- q- m-\pw- m- mw. ChvsS BsI hmß-wxv dhym-wv. CXm Rm ]d- q-s m pw amt\-p-tcmsv ]d-bs? A w sams- m \o t men axn.' "AXvt]mse cm{xn ` Wpw simd- p-iqsn \ m- m ]t zm?' "kmsd ChvsS Cß-s\ymt \S- q. Rm thw o kmdn\v kvs]j-em-bn v Fs - nepw m n-ø-cmw, amt\-p-c-dn-bm-sx. as m pw \S- pw v txm vwn- y. kmdn\v apºv Chn-sS- mbncv hm U Atßcv v am{xm-bn v ao\pw, samt w Fd ow hmßn-s m- -cm-dv v, Bcpw AdnbmsX.' "AXp icn-b-.' jntpm-hn-\xv hfsc Atcm-N-I-ambn txm n. "Ip n-i-sf p Ign- ptwzm AXv Xs axn F\n- pw. AXv simd- qss \ m- m-s\ p snø-ww m Rm Btem-Nn- -W-Xv.' enkn ssi ae Øn. "Cs m Fs - nepw hmtß- -Xpt m? Rm ]pdøv t]m m-wv.' "Fs - nepw thw o amt\-p-tcmss ]d-bm-hq- m. thsd BtcmSpw ]tdcvxv v N w si o v- v.' "icn...' jntpm ]pdøp IS- p. amt\-p-tcmsv kwkm-cn- -Ww. Imcy-ap- m-hptam Fs m pw Adn-bn-. amt\-p A sø NqSp h Ø-am-\-Øn apgp-in-bn-cn- -bm-wv. Xm AIØp IS- -sxm pw Adn- n- n-. jntpm apc-s-\- n-b-t mƒ amt\-p ]{X-Øn \n v Xe-bp-b Øn t\m n. jntpm h -sx mw Xm Adn- n-cn- p- p-sh a n tnmzn- p. "Ft bv?' "H pw- y, Rm SuWn-tebv v t]m m-wv, Fs - nepw hmßm-\vs - n ]d m axn.' "Gbv, H pw- y. F mw Rm samø- - -h-s- mcvss ASvØv v hmßn-sh-bv ym-wv. Cs m Xev mew H pw Bh-iy- y.' "]ns, \av v cmhn-esø ` Ww simd- p-iqsn \ m- n- qss?' "Fßs\?' "Hmtcm Znhkw Hmtcm sf w- m- m-tem. Hcokw D pamhmsw- n ASpØ Znhkw ]n pw IS-eow, ]ns Hcp Znhkw CÕven, Aßn-s\.' "amsj, CsXmcp A\m-Ym-e-bm-Wv. \Ωfv C snø-w-txm- s Ah v kt m-jm. amjv AhcvsS Xteev Aßn-\sØ sfsuym pw ti -. amjv v Ign- m-s\ m th Xv m AXv kvs]jembn m n-ø-cm Rm entkymsv ]d-bmw.' "AXv th.' jntpm ]pdøp IS- p. Xm Aßns\ kº- -X-bn hf Bsfm- p-a-. A -\p- m-bncp Imew sxms ho n ]W-Øn\v hnja-ap m-bn-cp- p. A \m p-im v th -s - -h-\m-bn, ] n- m v th -s - -h-\m-bn. ]s hosp t\m p Imcy-Øn Ipd v ]nt m- -am-bn-cp- p. thw-sa p h n- -. P\-{]o-Xnbpw Bƒ m-cpss _e-lo-\-x-ifpw apx-se-spøv ]W-ap- m- p Imcy-Øn hnap-j-\m-bn-cp- p At±lw. ^ew ]e-t mgpw ASp- -f-bn Hgn ]m{x-ßfpw, DSp- m Xp n- q- n-btxm Zm\w In nbtxm Bb ]g-inb hkv{x-ß-fpw am{xw. hkv{x-ß-fpss Imcyw Hm Ø-t m-gmwv as mcp Imcyw a\- n h -Xv. Ip n-iƒ v ss\ n hmß-ww. ]d- n p Imcy-an F -dn- n pw Abmƒ Xncn p t]mbn tnm-zn- p. "as mcp Imcyw.' "Ft bv?' "\ΩpsS Ip n-iƒ v Cuc p ss\ n hmß-ww. Ah-cn-t mƒ shdpw jnωo-kn- mwv Hd-ß-W- Xv. AXv icn-b-.' "AsXm pw IΩn n kω-xn- n amsj. AXp-an-sXzm pw Nn n- msx amjv amjss ]Wow t\m n-bn-cn ym \ -Xv. sndp- -s, Aß-s\yms txm pw.' amt\-p Xncn v ]{X-Øn-tebv v Dufn-bn- p. C\n? Xncn v kz w apdn-bn t]mbn tai v apºnen Itk-e-bnen-cn- p-tºmƒ jntpm h msx t m`n- n-cp- p. Hcp Nmb IpSn- -Ww. enkn-tbmsv ]d- m D m- n-ø-cpw. Nne-t mƒ AXp IpSn-t - n-bn-cp- n F p txm mw. ]ns \µn-xbv v s] kn hmß-ww. \µn-xsb ImWptºmƒ Hm p- Xv enpn-bpss _mey-am-wv. Ahfpw \µn-x-sb-t mse Xe-apSn c p `mk-tøbv pw ]n n-bn-sp-i-bmwv snøm-dv. Abmƒ ]pd-øn-d-ßn. 3. hn k v tn s Nmb -S-bn \n v Hcp Nmb IpSn- -t mƒ Imcy-ß-sfm pw A{X tami-a- 8

s - pw, F mw X\n v icn-bm- n-sb-sp- m ] psa pap t_m[-ap- m-bn. Hcp ISp w Nmb v snøm ] p F hpw henb Imcy-am-W-Xv. Abmƒ AXn-s\-Xn h-i-øp IΩn n Hm^o-kn-tebv p \S- p. amxyp A IΩn n Hm^okn \n v ]pdøp hcn-i-bm-bn-cp- p. "s{]bvkv Z temuv.' "s{]bvkv Z temuv. F m jntpm hntijw?' "\ΩsS A\m-Ym-e-b-Øns Imcy-ßfv H v kwkm-cn- m A s\ ImWm h -Xm-Wv.' "\ -Xv, hcq.' Xmev]-cy-tØmsS F mw ti n-cp amxyp A Fgp-t v Npa-c-cp-In h Ão Ae-am-dn- Xpd v c p ^bepw GXm\pw cpn-ã-dp-ifpw ]pd-sø-sp-øp. F mw tai- p-døp h -tijw At±lw jntpm-hns apjøp t\m n. "\ap v cmhn-esø Imcyw sxm v XpS-ßmw. C v 18- mw Xnø-Xn-b-s. Cu amkw CXn-\Iw c p {]mhiyw ]e-n-c p hmßn- -gn- p. CÕv-enbpw tzmibpw D m- m-\p Acnbpw Dgp p ]cn pw hmßn-bn- p- v. AºXv Insem -s]m- n-b-cnbpw ]Xn-\ v Insem Dgp- pw. ]Xn-\mdv Ip n- Iƒ pw hm U\pw Ip n\pw ]Øv ]{ v Znhkw Ign- m\v CÕven- m- mw. As m- ns F pw dh D pamhv shbv p p F ]cm-xn-sb-ßns\ hcpwp?' "C\n, a p km[-\-ßfv t\m mw. CXm...' ^b-en t\m n-s m v amxyp A ]d- p. "]Xn-\ p Intem Acn-s msn hmßn-b-xmbn ImWp- p- v. ]Øp Insem I-Se, Ccp-]-Ø p Insem tkmxºp s]msn, timgn-ap- A p {]mhiyw H c Uk hoxw.' ^b-e-s- p-sh v amxyp A jntpm-hns\ t\m n. "At m CsXm pw AhnSvsØ ASp- -tfev FØvWv v v txm vwn- y. Ds - n enknt n ]d-bp-am-bn-cp- p.' "CsX mw hmßn-s m-sp- -WXv amt\-p-cm-wv. At±lw X IW- p-i-fm-wn-sxm-s. F m- n\pw cko-xp- v. CXv At\z-jn-t Imcym-Wv. ]mhw Ip n-iƒ, Ah p-th n hmßw km[- \-ß-sfm pw Ah v In vwn-s - w. Hcp Imcyw snøv. jnspm Cs m s]mbvs m, Rm\nsXm v At\z-jn- -s. Fs I q, CsXms kwkm-cn- q v Bcpw Adn-b-. k` Hcp-]mSv ]Ww Cu A\m-Ym-e-b-Øn\v th n sne-hm vwv v. Hs \ -hcv Zm\w snbvxxpw kt`ss ^ n \n v FSp-ØXpw H ym-wv. AsXms B km[p- p- n-iƒ v In vwn-s - n I m-wv... Hcp hn[-øn Rm\pw sx p-im-c-\m-wv. Ipd- p-iqsn {i n-t - -Xm-bn-cp- p. t]ms...' "I Øm-hn\v kvxpxn.' "Ft mgpw D m-bn-cn- -s.' \µn-xbv p th n A Øv d -dp \s mcp s] kn hmßp-tºmƒ Abmƒ amt\-p-cpss apdn-bn I tamiw s] kn-ep-ifpw IS-bn I p. GI-tZiw ]IpXnbn Xmsg am{xw hnebp B s] kn-ep-iƒ F p-simt m Abmsf thz-\n- n p. Iq p-im-cn ]e pw F v. _n. Fs -gp-xnb `wkn-bp s] kn-ep-i-fp- m-bn-cp- p. AXp-t]m-ep s] kn hmßn-s m- p-hcm ]d- mepw A hmßn-s m- p-h-cni G hpw hne Ipd Xosc `wkn-bn- m-ø, snøptºmƒ ap\ s]m n-s m n t]mip s] kn-ep-i-fm-bn-cn- pw. A{Xbvt A \v ] n-bn-cp- p- p. D -`- -W-Øn\v h DSs\ \µnx s] kn-ens Imcyw tnmzn- p-sa- mwv jntpm Icp-Xn-b- Xv. Ahƒ ]s tnmzn- p-i-bp- m-bn-. CS-bv n-sbv v Abm-fpsS apdn-bpss apºn-eqss \S- p. hmxn -se-øn-bm Ah-fpsS \SØw ]Xp-s -bm-hpw, Xe Xncn v Abmsf t\m n Nncn- p- Ibpw snøpw. tnmzn v In msx hj-fm-th-s v Ahƒ Icp-Xn-bn-cn- pw. \mem-asø XhW Ahƒ hmxn -se-øn-b-t mƒ jntpm tnmzn- p. "F m \µnx tamsf?' Ahƒ H p-an-s A -Øn Xe-bm- n. Ah-fpsS apjw s]s v Ccp- Xv Abmƒ {i n- p. km s] kn-ens Imcyw ad- p-sh- -hƒ p txm n. Hcp ]s m n Ah-fpsS Iq p-imcn-i-tfmsv Ahƒ ]pxnb s] kn In p- -Xn-s\- n kwkm-cn- n- p- m-h-ww. A Øv d dp `wknbp s] kn. C\n m n ]pxnb s] kn-en- msx t]mip-tºmƒ...? Cßns\ Hcp sim p-ip- nsb I -s -Sp-Øp- Xv icn-b-. jntpm Ahsf hnfn- p. "tamƒ ChnsS hm.' "F m km.' Abmƒ tai-h-en- n \n v ISpw ] \nd-ap-, A Øv d dp s] kn ]pd-tø-bvs - Sp-Øp. "tamƒ CX-t\z-jn v \S- zm-bn-cpt m?' Ah-fpsS apjøv \mww. Ahƒ ssi \o n-s m v HmSn-h- p. s] kn aq n\p apºn sim p-t]mbn ]pxp-a-bpss aww Bkz-Zn- pibmwv \µn-x. "t\m v, d dn\pw \ hmk-\- v.' Ah-fXp hmk-\n p t\m n Xe-bm- n. 9

"tam nxv C mtbm?' "Duw...?' Ahƒ HmSn-t m-bn. ]pxnb s] kn tn n-amsc ImWn- m [rxn-bm-bn- p- m- IWw Ahƒ v. 4. enkn Xe-bm- p-i-bm-wv. "C t m, CsXm pw ChvsS FØo- n-. Acn-s msow IStew I Imew ad- n-cn- p-wp. sam ss ItXw AXv Xs. X v v-s - nev ChnsS ImWs?' amxyp A s H w h c p t]cpw IΩn- n-bn-ep- -h Xs. Ah ASp- -f-bn-ep km[-\-ß-fpss IW-s -Sp- p-i-bm-wv. Ah-cpsS IÆp-I-fn Aº-c- p- v. C{Xbpw Ipd p km[-\- ß-ƒ sim v Fßn-s\-bmWv ]Xn-\mdp Ip n-iƒ p sa v \S-Øp-I? Iøn-ep cko-xp-i-fn ImWn km[-\-ß-fn ]Ip-Xnbpw ChnsS FØn-bn- n-. "amt\-p-sc- -fmwv t]mbxv?' amxyp A tnmzn- p. "Atßcv A v awym-bm t]mipw.' "km[-\-ßfv IS- mcv ChnsS FØn- ym-twm, AtXm...' "A amt\-pcs s] n Bt m ]nsn v sim v hczm-wv.' "As m IW nsem pw sx p hcm hgn- ym- w.' jntpm-hns apdn-bn enkn-bp- m- n-s m ph Nmb IpSn- p-sim- n-cns amxyp A ]d- p. "enkn ]d-bp- Xv \ap v hniz-kn- mw. Ign ]Xn-\ p sim mbn Rm\-hsf Adn-bpw. Hc- \m-y-bmbn h -XmWv Ccp-]Xmw hb- n. A \pw AΩbpw ASp-Ø-Sp-Ømbn acn- p. Zcn{Z IpSpw- _-Ønse Bb-tXm v Chsf Gs -Sp- m _ p- fmcpw Xøm-dm-bn-. IeymWw \S-Øn-s m-sp- mw v k` ]d- p. Ahƒ v Ieym-W-Øn Hcp Xmev]-cy-hp-an- m-bn-cp p. A n-hnss Hcp hbmb kv{xobm-bn-cp p ` Ww ]miw snøm. Ah-cpsS Imew Ign- -t mƒ Chƒ kzbw Gs -SpØ tpmen-bm-wn-xv. thsd Hcp Xmev-]-cyhpw C y. At mƒ Cu km[-\-ß-sfm-s...' jntpm H pw ]d- n-. Abm-fpsS a\- n kωn-{i-hn-im-c-ß-fm-bn-cp- p. amt\-p ]Ww sh p- p-s v IΩn n saº am-sc-t mse Abmƒ pw a\- n-em-bn. KXn-bn- mø ]mhw s] Ip- n-iƒ v Int ` -W-Øn Xncp-adn snøp- Xv simsnb A]-cm-[-am-Wv. cmhnse ] n-bn IΩn n Hm^o-kns ]Sn Ib-dp-tºmƒ Cßn-s\-sbm-s -bmwv Imcy-ß-fpsS InS v F Dulw t]mepw Abmƒ p- m-bn-cp- n-. C\n, apºp- m-bn-cp hm U\v CXn-sems F{X-tØmfw ssiøps Imcy-am-Wv. Abmƒ Cu ]mhw s] Ip- n-i-tfmsv snbvx Imcy-am-tem-Nn- m CsXms \n m-c-am-wv. "jntpm \msf Ac-a-\-bn-tebv p hc-ww. \ap v Ipd v Imcy-ßfv Xncp-ta-\n-bmbn v kwkm-cn- m-\v v. CsXm v icn-bm- n-sb-sp- -Ww.' "F{X awn- mwv htc- -Xv, At m?' "cmhnse Hº-X-cbv v. Aku-I-scym- pw- y-s m.' "C. Ip n-ifv kviqfn t]mbm Ipd v t\cw Rm {^obm-wv. As m hcmw.' Ah t]mb-tijw enkn I p-iƒ FSp-Øp-sIm- p-t]m-im h p. jntpm ]d- p. "enkn-t n simd v t\cw Ccn- p, F\nbv v kwkm-cn- m-\v v.' "F m?' Ah Ccn- msx tai- -cnsi I p-ifpw ]nsn- p-sim v \n p-i-bm-wv. "Ccn- p.' enkn tai- - p-dsø Itke hen- n v hnj-a-tømss Ccp- p. Pohn-X-Øn Aßn-s\-bp acym-z-i-sfm pw A\p-`-hn- n- p- m-hn Ah-sc v jntpm-hn\v txm n. Fßns\ XpS-ß-W-sa- -dnbmsx Abmƒ tai-ta hnc-ep-iƒsim v i_vz-ap- m- n. ] nbn ]nbmt\m hmbn ]cn-n-b-ap- -Xp-sIm v AsXmcp kpj-i-c-amb Xmf-ambn ]cn-w-an- p. "DW n hcw e`n- m...' "Rm ]d-bm t]mw-xv...' Abmƒ \n Øn. enkn hfsc Akz-ÿ-bm-bn-cp- p. Ahsc kw_- n-t -S-tØmfw ASp- -fbnepw Du ap-dn-bnepw ASp- -fbv p ]n n-ep sndn-sbmcp InS- p-ap-dn-bn-ep-ambn PohnXw Nn s -Sp-Øn-bn-cp- p. A\m-Ym-e-b-Øns ]pdøp t]mbn-cp- Xv \nc-øn\p Ipdp-sI-bp s] n- o-sn-ibn _oun hmßm am{x-am-wv. ] n-bn-tebv v h -t mgpw t]mbn-cp- Xv axn s]mfn- n-s-øp- Iq-Sn-bm-bn-cp- p. Ah-fpsS km n- yhpw A`mhhpw Bcpw {i n- n-cp- n-, Hc-cq-]n-bm-sW- -t]mse. "F\n v \ΩsS ÿm]\-øns Imcyw kwkm-cn- m\v v. AXns sis v icn-b- m v Cu c p-aq p Znh-kw-sIm v Xs a\- n-em-bn-cn- p-wp. AsX-ßs\ icn-bm- n-sb-sp- mw v enknt - ntbm-spw-iqsn kwkm-cn- mw v Icp-Xn.' enkn-bpss {]Xn-I-c-W-Øn\p th n Abmƒ \n Øn. {]Xn-I-c-W-sam- p-ap- m-bn-. "F m tn n-sbm pw ]d-bm-xn-cn- -WXv?' 10

"Rms\ v ]d-bm\m? Rm\n-hnSvsØ G hpw she simd tpmen- m-cym-wv. hey Imcy-ßsfm pw At\z-jn- - m v amt\-pcpw ]d- n- v v, apºsø hm U\pw ]d- n- v v. HXp-ßn- gnbm, AXm \ -Xv v.' Xs apºnep {]iv\w Ipd-s m- p-a F v jntpm a\- n-em- n. enknsb Xm\p-t±-in a n sacp- n-s m- p-h-cpi Ffp- -a-. ]Øp-]Xn\ p sim w ASn-s m-xp- nb Bflm-`n-am\w Db Ønsb-Sp- m Cu km[p-kv{xobv v Ipd v kabw simsp- -Ww. "C\n apx Aßn-s\-sbm pw D m-hmsx Rm t\m mw, t]msc? Rm FØns ÿew- C-Xm-Wv. F\nbv v th n I Ømhv I p-]n-sn ÿe-m-bn-cn- Ww CXv. C\n Rm Fs - nepw ChnSv v t]m m-sw- n Cu ÿew Rm hcp-tºmƒ I Xnt\- mƒ \ m-bn-cn- -Ww. \ m- - Ww. AXn\v tn oss klmbw Bh-iym-Wv. C\n Hs Ign v \ m- m Ign-bn- ym v txm zmsw- n B \nanjw Rm ÿew hnspw.' enkn apjw XmgvØnbncn- p-i-bm-wv. "tn n s]mbvt m-fq.' Ah thkw Fgp-t - p, I p-iƒ t{sbn-se-sp-øp-sim v ]pd-tøbv p t]mbn. Ah v Bizm-k-ambn F v txm n. jntpm Xe- ssisim p Xmßn IÆ-S- n-cp- v hnc-ep-iƒsim v taita ]nbmt\m hmbn- m XpS-ßn. Hc p an\p v Ign p ImWpw. "km.' s]s v Abmsf AZv`p-X-s -Sp-Øn-s m v enkn hmxn h p\n p. "F m tn o?' enkn tai- -cnsi h p \n p. "t\csø IΩn- n- mcv h -sx- n-\m-bn-cp p?' "AtXm?...' tn n Ccn p. enkn Ipd p hnj-an- n-s t]mse Ccp- p. "Cu A\m-Ym-ebw \S-Øm th n Zb Hcp-]mSv a\p-jycv kw`m-h\ XcvWv v. B ]WwsIm v Cu km[p s] Ip- n-iƒ v \s mcp PohnXw In zm-bn-cp- p. Fs hnnmcw IΩn- n- mcv th {X ]Ww sne-hm- vwn- ym- m-bn-cp- p. Rm At\z-jn- - -gmwv a\- n-em-h-wxv Ah-csS IW- nev [mcmfw km[-\-ßfv ChnsS hmßvwv v v. AsXms Fhn-SymWv t]mwxv?' "Atøm, Rms\m pw FSv vwn- y.' "tn n FSvØn v F p snøm-\m. tn nsb IΩn- n- m s ms \ hnizm-km-wv, _lpam\pw BWv. hmßw km[-\-ß-sfms t]mw hgow Ah v a\- n-em-bn- v v. Ah-sc m snøvwv v t\m mw.' "Fs -s m v snøm ] W klm-sbms snømw.' Ah {]iw-kn- -s - n-cn- p- p. hnizmkw F hm n-t\- mƒ _lp-am\w F hm v Ah n-jvs-s - p-sh v txm n. ImcWw hnizmkw \ -s -Sm-\mbn Ah-scmcp sx pw snbvxn- n-. ]s _lp-am-\w, AX-hsc kw_- n-t -S-tØmfw henb Imcy-am-Wv. Xs txm -em-bn-cn- mw. F m-bmepw Ah Xs `mk-øm-wv, klm-bn pw F Imcyw Abmƒ v Bfl-hn-izmkw \ In. 5. Ac-a-\-bn XmgsØ \ne-bn ]pd-tøbv v X n-\n p Hcp hnim-e-amb apdn-bmwv Xncp-ta-\n-bpsS Hm^o-kv. A\m-Ym-e-b-Øn hm U-\mbn tncp- -Xn\p apºv Hcn- am{xta B apdn I n- p- p. ]Xp-]-XpØ ]c-h-xm-\nbv p aosx-bn Cu n sim p- m- nb hnime-amb tai p api-fn m vtsm- v. ]n n-en dnthmƒhnmv snb-dn\p ]n n I -\n p ad P\-en\p api-fn Npa-cnembn Ipcnin Xd \ne-bn I Øm-hns Bƒcq-]w. hm U-\mbn tpmen Xcm-\p IqSn- m-gvn-bm-bn-cp p AXv. Xncp-ta\n ]d- p. "Xs t]cv jntpm. jntpm tpmk^v Ipcn-b. Xs A Hcp \ t]cp- m- n-bn m t]mb-xv, Adn-bmtem?' jntpm Xe-bm- n. "B k t]cv If- vip-fn- msx \ Imcy-ßfv am{xw snøm. Ct{X F\n v ]d-bm-\p- p.' Abmƒ Xe-bm- n. "sim p Ip n-i-fymwv Xs G n- -W-Xv. amxm-]n-xm- ƒ \ -s - -h-cmwv an -h-cpw. Ah v B txm -ev m-hmsx t\m -Ww. Aßns\ snøpw F v I Øm-hns t]cn hm p Xc-Ww.' "Rm I Øm-hns t]cn hm p Xcp- p.' Ipºn- p-sim v jntpm ]d- p. "C\n \ap- v {]m n- mw.' Itk-e-bn \n v Fgp-t v tai- -cn-in-tebv v \S- p-sim v Xncp-ta\n ]d- p. {]m \ Ign v Bio hmzw kzoi-cn v t]mb-xn\p tijw ]Xn-\ p Znh-k-߃ p tijamwv ho pw hcm tbmk-ap- m-b-xv, AXpw A\m-Ym-e-b-Øn tn v \mep Znh-k-Øn-\p- n. hmxn Xpd- p i w ti -t mƒ jntpm Fgp-t p \n p, Xncn p t\m n. apºn 11

Xncp-ta-\nbpw ]n n hmxn Xpd p ]nsn- p-sim v amxyp A \pw. jntpm Xncp-ta-\n-bpsS apºn Ipºn- p-\n- p. "s{]bvkv Z temuv.' Xncp-ta\n jntpm-hns ssi ]nsn v {]m n- m XpS-ßn. GI-tZiw Hcp an\p v \o p \n {]m -\bv p tijw Xncp-ta\n tai-bpss CS-Øp-h-i-Øp-IqsS \S v Itk-e-bn Ccp- p. "Ccn- p.' amxyp A -t\mspw jntpm-hn-t\m-sp-ambn Xncp-ta\n ]d- p. Xncp-ta\n c p an\p- p-t\cw jntpm-hns apjøv t\m n-bn-cp- p, Xs apj-`m-h-ß-fn-eqss a\- n-tebv v IS- p-sn v AhnSw apgp-h ]Tn- m-s\ t]mse. kwxr-]vx-\m-b-t]mse At±lw Nm n-cp- p, C\n-sbm pw tnmzn- m\pw snøm-\p-an-s a n. ]ns apt m- m- n-cp v apºn h ^b Xpd v AXn-eqsS ItÆm-Sn- p. "Ch-t\mSv Imcy-ß-sfms ]d v a\- n-em- n-bn- p- t m.' tnmzyw amxyp A -t\m-smbn-cp- p. "C Xncp-ta-\n, apgp-h Imcy-ßfpw ]d- n- n-. ÿm]-\-øns \S-Øn- n-s\- n ]d- n- p- v. at Imcyw H pw kwkm-cn- n n-.' at Imcyw F m-sw v jntpm Duln-s -SpØp. At mƒ X\n p apºv D m-bn-cp hm Us hn{in-biƒ Ch -dn-bm-am-bn-cp- p. "AtX- n Ct mƒ ]d- p-sim-sp- p.' Xncp-ta\n AXr-]vX-\m-b-t]m-se. Xs km n- y-øn Aßn-s\-sbmcp Imcyw N snøp- Xv At±-l-Øn\v C -am-bn-s p txm p- p. "Imcyw CXm-Wv.' amxyp A Ad -d- p-sim v ]d- p. CXn\p apºp- m-bn-cp hm Us kz`mhw s] Ip- n-iƒ am{xw At -hm-kn-i-fm-bn- p Hcp ÿm]-\-øns hm U-\p tn -X-. AXp-sIm- mwv Atßsc am n jntpm-hns\ sh n- p- -Xv.' kwkmcw icn-bmb hgn- p-x-s -bmwv \oßp- -sx a n Xncp-ta\n Xe-bm- n. a\- n-emsb v jntpm ]d- p. "AsX-s - n-ep-am-h-s.' Xncp-ta\n ]d- p. "C\n Aßn-s\-sbm pw D m-h-cp-xv. AXn-\mWv tpmk-^ns ai-s\-øs Cu ÿm]\w apgp-h Gev]n- m Xo -bm- n-bn-cn- -W-Xv. apgph...' Hcp C^-Œn\p th n H p \n Ønb tijw At±lw ]d- p. "apgp-h Nm pw.' jntpm Hcp tnmzy-tømss BZyw Xncp-ta-\n-tbbpw ]ns amxyp A -t\bpw t\m n. amxyp A Xe-bm- ns m v ]d p. "C p apx amt\-p hcn-. Atßsc Hgn-hm- n-bn-cn- pwp. B tpmenbpw IqSn jntpm snø-ww.' "AXn-\-\p-k-cn v iºfw Iq n-ø-cpw.' Xncp-ta\n ]d- p. "AsX-{XymWv v IΩn n Xo ym- pw. F m kω-xt?' "Rm {ian- mw.' "]ns,' Xncp-ta\n XpS p. "AhnsS Hcp amkw F p snehv hcpw F v Hcp IW- p- m- p. AXv Cu BgvNsØ ao n-ßn shbv mw. Ip n-iƒ v Hcp-am-Xncn \ \ne-bn Ign-bm-\p- Hcp ÿnxn- m-h-ww. Rm\p-t±-in- -WXv BVw-_-scm- z-, ]s \ \ne-bn-ev Ign-bm. AXn\v th snehv F{XymWv v ]d-b-ww. enkn-tbmsv kwkm-cn m Hcp GI-tZ-i-cq]w In pw.' jntpm Xe-bm n. Xncp-ta\n Fgp-t - p. "\ap v B ]mhw Ip n-ifpss \ `mhnbv p th n {]m n- mw.' aq p t]cpw h -an- p-\n p. _nj v IÆ-S- p-sim v hfsc kuay-amb i -Øn {]m \ Dcp-hn-Sm XpS-ßn. At±-l-Øns apjsø Npfn-hp-I-fn IÆpw \ v jntpm AtX p snm n. ] n-bn-tebv p \S- p-tºmƒ amxyp A ]d- p. "X\n- Xp snøm Ign-bpw. amt\-p-cpss tpmen F p ]d- m Iptd `mh-\bpw th tpmen-bm-wv. B a\p-jy\v Ipdp p hgn-bn qsn ]Ww- m- m\v `mh\ amt{x- m-bn-cp- p- p. B ÿm]\w Fßn-s\-sbms \ m- nsb-sp- m ] pw F v jntpm Btem-Nn- p- m- p. ]Ww Hcp {]iv\-. ]ns thsdmcp Imcyw. Hcp \ a\p-jy At±-l-Øns Iºyq- Zm\w snbvxn v v kviqfn-tem IΩn- n Hm^o-kn-tem sh mw v ]d- p. c p-sim w ]g-t - p. Atßcv ]pxnb knãw hmßnbt mƒ CXv X -XmWv. kviqfnev Ct møs ]Øp Iºyq- -dp- v, Hm^o-knepw Bh-iy-Øn\v Hsc-Æw- v. CXv thw o AhnsS shbv mw. t{_muv _m v IW- \pw FSpØm axn. sumt\-j\p th n ]e-cp-ambn tim SmŒv snø n hcpw. Cs m knã sxtc-kymwv AsXms snø-w-xv. jntpm-hn\v simsdyms klm-bn- m ] pw.' "\ Imcym-Wv. Hm^okv Imcy-ßfpw AXn shbv m-tem. ]ns Rmb-dmgvNow a v Hgnhv Znh-k-ß-fnepw Ip n-iƒ pw AXn {]mœokv snømw, Ifn- mw.' "F m icn jntpm,' hm p t\m n-s m v At±lw ]d- p. "F\n v Ip _m-\-bv p ka-bm-bn. \ mbn hc-s.' apdn-bn-tebv v \S- p-tºmƒ jntpm Btem-Nn- p. Ip n-i-fpss ÿnxn \ m- m X\nbv v 12

Ipd- p-iqsn A[n-Imcw In n-bm F{X \ m-bn-cp- p-sh v C -se- qsn Btem-Nn- -Xm-Wv. C nxm F m A[n-Im-chpw X n-e n- n-cn- p- p. F{X s]s - mwv? Abmƒ amt\-psc Hm Øp. Abmƒ t]mbxp \ m-bn. shdp- -s -ts hrøn-si a\p-jy. apdn-bn-tebv p \S- msx Abmƒ ASp- -f-bn-tebv p \S- p. hmxn Xpd- n- n- m-sw- nepw ap n-b-ti-jta AIØp IS- p- p. H w-xs hnfn- p-ibpw snbvxp. "enkn-t o...' ASp- -f-øn-æ-bv -cnsi P\-en-eqsS ]pd-tøbv p t\m n-bncn p enkn Fgp-t - p. "F m km? Nmb thtwm?' Nmb IpSn- m-\p Dt±-iy-sam- p-ap- m-bn-cp- n jntpm-hn-\v. enknsb ImW-Ww, Xncp-ta-\nbp-am-bp- mb IqSn- m-gvn-sb- n kwkm-cn- -Ww, Imcy-ß-sf mw t\ h-gn v \S-Øm-\p hgn sxfn- n- p v F v ]d-b-ww, Fs m-s tb D m-bn-cp- p- p. ]s enkn-bpss tnmzyw Abmfn Nmb IpSn- m-\p B{Klw P\n- n- p. icn-bm-wv, cmhn-esø ss j\p tijw AsXm-cm-hiy-am-Wv. Abmƒ ]d- p. "thww tn n, \s mcp Nmb.' "Rm sim p-h-cmw, kmdv s]mbvt m.' "kmc- y. Rm\n-hnsS \n p-sim- mw. ]ns Rm\ns m hc-wxv _nj v ]me-ko- m-wv.' F n-\mwv Xncp-ta-\nsb I -sx a n enkn Abmsf AZv`p-X-tØmsS t\m n, ]ns Xncn- p-\n v Nmb- p sh w Kymk-Sp- n\p api-fn sh p. "Ip n-ifvss Imcyw Hs icym- mw v G n- v v. ]ns thsdmcp Imcyw, \ΩsS amt\-pcv C vsxm v hcn-.' "Ft?' "Atßsc ]ncn p hn n-cn- p-wp.' "AXv X ymwv, I nsb CXp-hsc I n- n-. C\n thsd Bfv hczm-bn-cn pw As.' "C. Ft m-svxs AtßcvsS tpmeow snøm ]-d- n-cn- ym-wv.' "AtXym?' enkn-bpss i -Øn BÀm-Z-ap- m-bn-cp- p. BZy-am-bmWv Ah-cpsS apjøv ÿmbn-bmb \n hn-im-c-xbv p ]Icw as mcp hnim-cw ImWp -Xv. "F m mbxv v Rm ]d-bmw...' "Nmb \ m-bn- v v tn n.' AXp IpSn- p-sim v Abmƒ enkn-tbmsv kwkm-cn- p. 6. ` Ww Ign- p- Xv Ip n-i-fpss H w thw-sa v jntpm Xo -bm- n-bn-cp- p. Ip n-iƒ pw AXn- -s -Sp-sa v txm n. "C\n F pw kmdv RßsS H w ` Ww Ignt ym?' cmhnse {]mx Ign- p-tºmƒ Pnkn tnmzn- p. Ah-fmWv G hpw aqø-hƒ. "\n߃s ms C mtwm kmdv \nßss H w DuWp Ign- -WXv?' "AtX...' Hcp timd- mbn Ah ]d- p. "Aß-\ym-sW- n Rms\ pw \nßss H w ` Ww Ign- mw, Nmtbw DuWpw Hs a fvss H w Ccv n- v. t]msc?' enkn Nncn- p-i-bm-wv. Ah-fn s]s p h hyxymkw I v jntpm AZv`p-X-s - p. C pw dh D pamhp Xs -bm-wv, ]s AXn IqSp-X D n hg- nbn-cn- p- p. am{x-a \ -hæw thhp- Ibpw snbvxn-cn- p- p. F mw X\n v Cu hosv \ m- n-sb-sp- m ] p-sa- -Xns e -W-ß-fm- Wv. amt\-p t]mbn F Adnhv enkn-bpss a\- n Ft m cmk-{]-{inb \S-Øn-bn-cn- p- p. F m-bmepw Bcpw C v D p-amhv _m n-bn- n-s - Xv jntpm {]txyiw {i n- p. C p-x-s -bn-cp v Hcp amksø Nne-hp-Iƒ Fs m-s -bmsw p t\m n BsI F p hcp-sa- -Xns IW- p- m n amxyp A s\ Gev]n- -Ww. a - mƒ cmhn-se-bmwv IΩn n ao nßv. AXp ]m m n ]Ww In n-bn p thww Xm Dt±-in- -t]mse Imcy-߃ \S-Øm. Ip n-iƒ H mbn ]pd-s p t]mb-t mƒ Abmƒ Hcp ]pkvx-ihpw s] p-ambn ASp- -f-bn-tebv p \S- p. enkn-tbmsv kwkm-cn- -t mƒ Hcp amkw Fs ms th n-h-cp-sa- -Xn-s\- n Hcp GI-tZ-i-cq]w In n. C\n AXp-ambn samø-]-e-n-c p IS-bn t]mww. FÃn-ta v hmßn- m. ] n-bpss hexp hisø tdm n Hcp ssbve-dnmv IS-bp- v. Hcp kv{xo \S-Øp- -Xm-Wv. Ahsc I v H v Be-b- Øn-tebv p hcm ]d-b-ww. Ip n-i-fpss Af-sh-SpØv Ah v th ss\ n Xp n- -Ww. a p Imcy-ß-sf mw hgnsb snømw. ]pd-øn-d-ßm th n hmxn IS- p-tºm-gmwv amt\-p hcp- Xv I -Xv. jntpm Nncn- p. "amjv ]pd-øn-d-ßzmtwm?' "AsX, ChnsS ASvØv hsc H v t]mww.' 13

"Hcc awn- q Ccn- m ]t zm?' "Bhmtem.' amt\-p ]ujn \n v Xmt m q- -sa-spøv hmxn Xpd- p. "hcq.' amt\-p t\sc t]mbn apdn-bpss P\ Xpd- p, ]ns Fhn-sS-\n- m-sw- -dn-bn Hcp am{ n- Is ssihn-cp-txmss Hcp XpWn-sb-SpØv Itke XpS tijw Ccp- p. Ipd- p-t\cw FXn h-i- Øn-cn- p jntpmsb t\m nb tijw ]d- p. "Imcy-ß-sfms Adn- n- p- mhpw As?' "F p Imcyw km?' "Rmt\bv dn -b snøm-wv. hb v ]sø-gp-]-xm-bn. hø, C\n sndp- - m-cm-sc- nepw t\m s. ]pxy Bfv hc-w-hsc ImØv \n vwn-ey. As m amjvss ASvØv F mw G n m axo v amxyp A ]d- n- v v. C -se-h-sc IW v ImWn p Xcmw. ChnsS Cs m tãm v FSpØv AXpw Iønev Imipw amsj G n- mw. ASp- -tfevbv v hmßn-b-xns tãm v FSv m ] pw v txm vwn- y, Znhtkmw AXo v FSvØv D]-tbm-Kv ym-w-t m. ]ns enknbv v IW v sh m-s\m pw Ado-ey.' "As m kmsd- mwv s]s v t]mwxv?' "Fs - nepw Hcp Znhkw Fd-ß-s. AXn- m-hmw v sh p. A{Xy-s.' amt\-p Xmt m q- -sa-spøv Ae-am-dn-Iƒ Xpd v AXn-ep Hmtcm km[-\-ß-fmbn ]pdsø-spøv FÆm XpS-ßn. "CsXms cpn-ã-dn-ev m-hntey?' " mhpw. AXpw icn v tãm pw IqSn Smen snøvwvt m v t\m s? lmt mhdv snø-tws apsº AXv t\m zm \ -Xv. As - n B sf w C Cu sf w C Fs ms ]ns ]d- m hnj-am-hpw.' "icn.' hfsc Ipd v km[-\-ßtf Ae-am-dn-bn D m-bn-cp- p- p. Cu a\p-jy Hcp ]Tn I -\m- Wv. Hcp ]s hm U t]mb-txm-sp-iqsn Cßn-s\-sbmcp {]Xn-k n {]Xo- n- v AXn-\p Xømsd-Sp pw t\csø XpS-ßn-bn- p- m-h-ww. km[-\-ß-sf mw Ae-am-dn-bn Xncn p shbv m Abmƒ amt\-psc klm-bn- p. Xncn v Itk-e-bn h n-cp v cpn-ã-dns ASn-bn "F mw In nt_m[n p' Fs -gpxn jntpm s] v tai- p-døp sh p. amt\-p tai-h-en- n \n v Hcp ]gb _nkv v s] n-sb-spøp Xpd v AXnse t\m p-iƒ FÆn Xn -s -Sp-Øn. AXpw tu_p p-ambn Smen snøp- Xv jntpm-hn\v ImWn- p-sim-sp-øp. "CXm CXn Ggm-bn-cØn Hcp-\q n Adp-]Xp cq] AºXv ss]k D v. CXpw In n-sb v FgpXn H n- p-x-cq.' s] n jntpm-hns\ Gev]n tijw Abmƒ Fgp-t - p. "C\n F\n- n-hnss H pw snøm-\n-. Rm t]ms. Fs - nepw kwi-b- - nev t^mwnev hnfn m axn. CXm Xmt m q- hpw Gev]n p-wp.' Ime IpSbpw CS-sØ- -øn ]ujp-ambn hfsc kmh-[m-\-øn ]Sn-bn-d-ßn-t m-ip a\pjys\ jntpm t\m n \n p. Hcp-]s Xs A\p-I-ºbv p th n-bm-bn-cn- Ww Abmƒ \SØw own- -t]mem- n-b-xv. km[m-cw Abm-fpsS \S-Ø-Øn bmsxmcp owhpw ImWm-dn-. "Abmfv t]mbn As?' ASp- -f-bn \n v \S- p-h enkn tnmzn- p. "t]mbn tn n.' "\ m-bn, h m-sømcp a\p-jy.' "F m tn o?' "H p-ey.' Ah Ft m ad- p-sh-bv p- p-s v jntpm-hn\p txm n. txm -em-bn-cn- mw. hgnsb a\- n-em-ipw. "Rms\m v am - n t]mbn hcmw. amkw F p snehp hcpw F Xv IW- m- m Hsc- Ãn-ta v hmß-ww. Fs - nepw AXym-hiyw hmtß- -Xpt m?' "Aßn-s\-sbm pw C y. icn p ]d- m F mw hmtß- -Xp-X-s.' "a - m-fsø Ign-b-s. a - m-fmwv IΩn n ao n-ßv. AXp Ign- m Ah ]Ww kmmvj-\m- pw. Cs m Xncn p hcp-tºmƒ Ipd p Nn hmßn-s m- p-h-cmw. Ip n-iƒ v Hcp kzy-bm-h-s.' "Nn t\m?' enkn-bpss IÆp-Iƒ hni-kn- p. Ahfpw Nn t\m Cd- ntbm aot\m Ign- n v h j-ß-fm-bn- m-wpw. "Mm, AtXm _o^mtwm th Xv?' "Nn axn. at Xv F m Ip n-iƒ pw C m-bo v hcn-. timxºv amhv Ccn vwv v. AtXm v N m-øow- m- mw.' skbv v IS- p-tºmƒ jntpm-hns a\ n-ep- m-bn-cp Nn{Xw ]Xn-\mdp s] -Ip- n-iƒ tai p Np p-an-cp v Nncn p Ifn- p-sim v Nn Idn Iq n N m-øn Xn p- -Xm-Wv. hfsc Ip n- m-e-ømwv. Hcn- A Ft m sndnb klmbw snbvxp simspø Hcmƒ 14

cmhnse Hcp henb Nn sim p-h- p. X\n pw A\n-b-Ønbv pw hfsc kt m-j-am-bn. ` - W-Øn Nn Fs mcp hn`hw I n v Imew Iptd-bm-bn. X߃ AXn\p Np n- n \n p. A ]pd-øp-h p Imcyw CXm-sW p a\- n-em-b-t mƒ h msx t m`n- p. "Rm X\n v snbvxp Xtc Hcp Imcyw amt{x snbvxn- p- p. AXn-\mtWm Xm Cßs\ Hcp ssi qen sim p-h p X Xv?' "Atøm ssi q-en-tbm. F\n p kt m-jm-bs m sim p-h- -Xm km. Aßn-s\ym pw hnnm-cn- -cp-xv.' F p ]d- mepw A kω-xn- n-. Ah-km\w Abmƒ Xp Xncn p sim p t]mti n h p. A Xncn- p t\m n-b-t mƒ I Xv hmsnb c p sim p apj-ß-fm-wv. A h m-xmbn. Ipd p t\cw t\m n \n tijw Xs ASpØp hnfn- p- tn Øp- ]n-sn psim v ]d- p. "tams\, A s Iøn Imip hcpsºm hmßn-s m- p-h-cmw. Cßn-\sØ Imipw km[-\- ßfpw \ap v th.' As p Znh-k-߃ p- n A {]Xn \nd-th- n. ]s HcmgvN apºp mb COm- `wkw ISp-Ø-Xm-bn-cp- p. In p-sa v {]Xo- n C -s Hcp km[\w I ap-ºn h v X n-am- p-ibm-bn-cp- p. Hcp-]s A s [m Ωn-IX X n-tebv p ]I p-in- m B Hcp kw`hw Imc-Wam-bn- p- m-i-ww. 7. Ip n-iƒ Ipd-s m-cm Øn-tbm-sS-Øs Nn \pw N m-ønbpw Ign- p- Xv enkn t\m n-\n- p. jntpm-hpw AXp-X-s -bm-bncp p t\m n-bn-cp- -Xv. AXn-\n-Sbv v kz w ` Ww Ign- m\bmƒ ad p. "Cs m kmdns _ ØvtU-bmtWm?' Ft mgpw Nncn- p-sim v kwkm-cn- p tchxn tnmzn- p. jntpm Xe-bm- n. "C p am{x-. C\n-sXm v F pw Fs _ ØvtU-bm-Wv.' B F p hb- p-im-cn-bpss apjøv AZv`p-Xw, kwi-bw. "AsX-ß\m F pw ]nd- m-fv m-hwv?' "\nßsfms H - -t mƒ Fßn\ym F pw ]nd- m-fm-hm-xn-cn- -WXv?' "Cu Pnkn H pw Ign- vwn- yt m?' tai-bpss Atß-Ø-e-bv Ccn- p Pnkn-bpsS ]n n \n p-sim v enkn-t n ]d- p. jntpm t\m n-b-t mƒ hnf-ºn-b-sxms Ah-fpsS sπbv n Aßn-s\-Øs InS- p- p. "F p ] n tamsf?' Ahƒ H p-an-s v Npa Ipep n- m- n, ]ns Fgp-t v hmjv t_kn-\n t]mbn ssiigpin ]pd-tøbv p t]mbn. ]n mse B\nbpw t]mim-s\m-cp-ßn. "Pnknbv v F p ] o, B\o?' jntpm tnmzn- p. "hb-dp-th-z-\ v v ]d- ncp p km.' Ahfpw ]pd-tøbv p t]mbn. a p Ip n-iƒ ` Ww XpS p. jntpm Akz-ÿ-\m-bn. Xs {]iv\-߃ XpS-ßm t]mip-t -bp- p F D -dnhv Abmsf `b-s -Sp-Øn. Abmƒ enkn-t - nsb t\m n. Ahcpw Btem-N-\-bn-em-bn-cp- p. Abmƒ ]d- p. "enkn-t n H v t]mbn t\m p. hc-w-hsc Rßfv kz w FSvØv Ign-t m-fmw.' Ah t]mbn. ]gb hm U-s\- n Ah v F{X-tØmfw Adn-bp- p- m-hp-sa v jntpm Btem-Nn- p. cm{xn F c awn-tbmss ` Ww Ign- m ]pd-tø-bv p hmxn AS v Ip n-bn- Sp-I-bmWv ]Xn-hv. ]ns enknbv v Cu {]tz-i-hp-ambn bmsxmcp _ -hp-an-. hmxn Xpd- p- Xv cmhnse Bdp awn-bv m-wv. AXp-hsc ChnsS F p \S- p p F -Xn-s\- n Ah A bm-bn-cn- pw. D ` Ww Kw`o-c-am-bn. enkn-t n \s mcp ]mni hnz-kvz-bm-sw v a\- n-em-bn. Ah-cpsS ]mni sshzkvzyw ]pdøp ImWn- m-\p Ah-kcw CXp-hsc D m-bn- p- m-hn-. AXp-t]m-se- Øs Ah-cn Hfn p InS- p a -t\iw Ign-hp-Iƒ ]pdøp sim p-h-c-ww. ASp- -f-sb as-bn Hfn- n-cn- p Ah-cpsS hy nxzw ]pd-tø-bvs -Sp- -Ww. Abmƒ ssii-gpin ]pd-tø-bv n-d-ßn. Ip n-i-fpss apdn-bn Pnkn InS p-i-bm-bn-cp- p, enknt n ASp-Øn-cp v Ah-fpsS ]pdw Xtem-Sp-I-bpw. HcΩ snøp- -t]mse txm n jntpm-hn-\v. enknt n s]s -s -gp-t - p. "tn n AhnsS Ccn- p. Xtem-Sp-tºmƒ Ahƒ v kpj-ap-s p txm p-wp. enkn ho pw Ccp- p. "hsø- n C n\n m n t]m.' jntpm ]d- p. Pnkn Abmsf t\m n. Ah-fp-sS- IÆp \nd-s mgp-in. "B\nbv v m v I v snøm hey shj-a-s y- nev Ahfpw \n -s.' F p-simt m Pnknsb H -bv m n ]pdøp t]mim jntpm `b-s - p. "h acp pw thtwm tamsf?' Abmƒ tnmzn- p. ths v Ahƒ Xe-bm- n. Ip n-iƒ ` Ww Ign v apdn-bn-se-øn-bn-cp- p. Ah ]pkvx-i-k- n-bp-sa-spøv t]mim 15

Xøm-dmbn \n p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. "F m Pnkn-t - n v hømb km?' \µnx tnmzn- p. "hbdv thz-\ymwv tamsf. tamfv s]mbvt m-fp.' Ip n-iƒ t]mb-tijw jntpm Hm^okv apdn-bn t]mbn Itk-e-bn Ccp p. F m-wn-xns -sbms A w? Fhn-sS-\n- mwv XpS-tß- -sx- -dn-bmsx jntpm ]I p \n p. ]e tnmzy߃ pw DØcw Int - -Xp- v. ]gb hm Us\t mep Hcp sn m-bsb \ncm-ew-_-cmb Cu s] Ip- n-i-fpss H w C{X-Imew F n\v hn p? Pnkntbm B\ntbm a v s] Ip- n-itfm CXn-\n- Sbv v Fs - nepw Ipº-km-cn- n- p- m-hns? At mƒ amxyp A CXn-\Iw Imcy-sa mw Adn p- Im-Wpw. Aßns\-b- msx At±lw CsXm pw Adn-bm hgn-bn-. A \pw AΩbpw _ p- -fpsam- p-an- mø icnbv pw A\m-Y-bm-Wv Pnkn. Bcpw tnmzn- m hcm-\n-. hgn-bn-se-hn-tstbm Dt]- n- -s p InS Ip n-bm-w-hƒ. hcm- -bn-eqss enkn-t n hcp- Xp I p. Abmƒ hnfn- p. "enkn-t o.' Ah h v hmxn-ens I nf ]nsn- p-sim v tnmzn- p. "F m km?' "hcq, As - n Du apdn hrøn-bm- nb tijw h mepw axn.' "kmc-ey, AXp ]ns snømw. simd v Ign m Pnknbv v Fs - nepw Ign- m ]t zm v t\m -Ww.' "F m Ccn-bv p.' "Pnknbv v F mwv Akp-Jw v a\- n-emtbm?' enkn H pw an msx Xe XmgvØn-bn-cp- p. "F m H pw ]d-bm-øxv?' "Hcp tumœsd ImWn- ym, A msx \Ω-sf p ]d-bm-\m. simd v Znh-km-bn v cmhnse Fgpt - m- O ±n mbn-cp- p. AXns I -Imew A msx p ]d-bm\m?' "]gb hm U kmdn-s\- n F m-w-`n-{]mbw?' enkn H pw ]d-bp- n-. "C\n apx Hcp Imcyw snø-ww. tn nss In-S v Ip n-ifvss apdn-bn-em- -Ww. As m AhcvsS {]iv\-ß-sfms t\cn v a\- n-em-hpw. Ft msv ]d-bm ] mø ]expw tnt ymsv ]d-bpw. AXh v KpWw snøpw. ]ns, Cu Rmb-dmgvN Xp - mcn hcpw Af-sh-Sp- m. Ip n-iƒs ms Cuc p ss\ n Xp n- -Ww. H w tn n pw cs Æw th-ww... F m H pw an m-øxv?' "icn.' "C\n Cu {]iv\w Fßns\ ]cn-l-cn- mw v Btem-Nn- p- m- -s. AXn-\n-Sbv v Ahsf tumœsd ImWn- ym-sw- nev tn n H w hc-ww.' enkn Fgp-t - p. BZy-ambn IΩn- nbv p simsp- m-\mbn Hsc-Ãn-ta- p- m- -Ww. Ip n-iƒ p ss\ n-iƒ v GI-tZiw F p snehp hcp-sa v Xp - mcn ]d- p-x- n-cp- p. Abmƒ IS-em-kp-sa-SpØv Fgp- Xm-\n-cp- p. CXp Ign- n p thww amxyp A s\ ImWm. Pnkn-bpsS Imcyw F{Xbpw thkw At±-lsØ Adn-bn- -Ww. Xm H bv v snbvxm icn-bm-hn-. FÃn-ta- p- m- nb IS-em-kp-sa- SpØv jntpm ]pd-øn-dßn hmxn HmSm-º-en- p. Xmt m-en p ]qt Bh-iy-sam pw jntpm I n-. AXv hnizm-k-an- m-bva-sb-bmwv ImWn- p- -Xv. Bsc-bmWv Ahn-iz-kn- p- Xv? enkn-t - n-sbtbm, AsXm Xs A\p-P-Øn-bpsS hb- n- mø sim p-ip- n-i-sftbm? Ip n-i-fpss apdn-bn Pnkn I n-en Fgp-t - n-cn-bv -bm-wv. enkn-t - n-bpss Iøn-ep sπbv v Hcp-am-Xncn Hgn- n-cn- p- p. "Pnkn h Xpw Ign-t zm?' "Mpw,' Hgn sπbv v ImWn- p-sim v enkn-t n ]d p. "Cs m Ahƒ v simg-s m- pw- y. thw o kviqfo-t m-hmw.' "th Ahfv hn{i-an- -s. B\n-bpw- -s m. Rms\m v s]mdøp t]mbn p hcmw. tn n FS-s m v h v t\m -Ww-t m.' enkn Xe-bm- n. 8. amxyp A ] n-bn \n v ]pdøp IS- p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. Cu A Ft mgpw Xnc- n-em- Wv. jntpm Icp-Xn. "I Øm-hn\v kvxpxn-.' "Ft mgpw kvxpxn-bm-bn-cn- s. F m jntpm hntijw?' "Rm\m FÃn-ta v sim p-h- n- v v. IΩn n ao n-ßnev shbv m-\v -Xv.' "Rms\mcp ]Øv an\n- n-\p- nev FØmw. Hm^o-knev ImØp-\n p.' "icn At m.' Hm^o-kn Iºyq- -dn\p apºn-en-cn- p knã sxtc-kbpw Htcm-^okv Akn-à pw am{x-tabp- p. 16

"F m jntpm?' "H pw y knã, amxyp A ImØp-\n m ]d- n- v v.' "A s apdoev Ccp-t m-fp. F\nbv v Ipd v AXym-h-iy-tPm-en-Iƒ Xo m-\v v. \mfymwv ao n-ßv.' ^m\ns kzn n- -tijw jntpm A -\p-th n ImØn-cp- p. Pnkn-bpsS Imcyw Fßn-s\-bmWv XpS-ßpI? Hc- -t\msv kwkm-cn- m ] nb Imcy-ta-b AXv. ]ns Abmƒ kzbw Biz-kn- p. Xm\n{X t_pm-dm-th Bh-iy-sam- p-an-. F mw AXm-Xns ]m n\v kzm`m-hn-i-ambn h p-sim- pw. A p an\n- n-\p- n amxyp A FØn. jntpm-hns Iøn \n v FÃn-ta v hmßn Itke-bn t]mbn Ccp- p. "amt\-pcv lmt m-h snøpsºm Ggm-bn-cØn Adp-\q n AºXv cq] X n- v v. AXv Rm amkm-h-km\w IW- p m- psºm Dƒs m- n- mw.' A FÃn-ta v tai- p-døp sh p. "CXnev Ip n-iƒ pw enknbv pw ss\ n-ifv hmßm Hcp XpI sh n- v -s m. AXns Bh-iyt m? \ΩsS kw`m-h-\m-s]- oev [mcmfw ]tg DSp- p-ifv Bƒ mcv sim p-h- nsvwv v. AXnev t\m ym Ip n-iƒ v ]mi- -sxms In pw. AXp t]msc?' jntpm- s]s v t]mbxv a p Ip n-i-fpss \c p Iodn-Øp-S-ßnb DSp- p-i-fn v kviqfn t]mbn-cp kz w Ip n- m-e-tø-bv m-bn-cp- p. Iodnb DSp- p-iƒ AΩ ]I-en-cp v Xp n-sh-bv pw. hep-xm-b-t mƒ Nmcn- nbv p th n hosp-i-fn Iq p-im s m w t]mbn-cp Hm Ω-bp-ap- v. Abmƒ ]d- p. "AXp t]mc At m. H m-axv D]-tbm-Kn v Iod-{]m- n-bmb DSp- p-itf Bƒ m Zm\w snømdp- p. ]ns A\m-Ym-e-b-Øn-em-sW- nepw Ahcv A\m-Y-I-fmWv t_m[w D m- msx t\m - Ww v v F\n-bv v. Rm\nhnsS tn v \mep Znhkw sim s AhcvsS {]Ir-sXms amdo-cn- p-wp.' "icn, IΩn n saº am ]d-t - mhvw Hcp Imcyw ]d- q-t - p. Rm Ip n-iƒ p th n hmzn- mw.' "]ns thsdmcp {][m-\-s Imcyw ]d-bm-\v v. kzim-cym-wv, ChvSv v ]d m icym-t m- do-ey.' "th \av v ] n-ta-tsev v t]mhmw. hcq.' \S- p-sim- n-cns jntpm ]d p XpS-ßn. "Pnknbv v cmhnse kpj-eym-xm-bn. hbdv thz- \ym m Ft msv ]d- -Xv. ]ns enkn-t - n-bmwv ]d- Xv B Ip nbv v Ipd p Znh-km-bn v cmhnse FWo- m O ±n-bp-s - v. CsXmcp Kuchmb Imcym-Wv. Rm\-hnsS tn v c mw Znhkw Hcp kw`-hw- m-bn, ]d-bmw...' cm{xn B\n h Imcyw ti psim- n-cns amxyp A t m`n- p. "Rm IpØn-t m-zn- -t m-gmwv Ahƒ ]td-w-xv, ]pxnb hm U h mepw CsXm pw sams- -, \nßfvss Dugw A\p-k-cn v hm Us ASp-tØbv v cm{xn ht m-fq v B Ip n-i-tfmsv Atßcv ]d- q-t{x.' "I Ømth! ]s jntpm, F m-w-bmfvss Dt±iyw?' "F\n v txm -WXv ]pxnb hm U Fßn-t\- nepw CXv Adnbpw At mƒ Abmtfw Ip - hm-fym- ym CsXm pw s]mdøv hcn- m- m-bn-cn- pw.' "AXp icym-bn-cn- pw. As m C{X-bvs ms {]iv\-ß-fp- m-bn-cpt m? ]gb hm U\v Cu Ip n-ifvss A q- -\m-hm\v {]mb- v.' "F m-w-bmsf am m\v t{]cw? A, A -s\-ßns\ CtX- - n Adn p?' "AtXm?... AXv... R߃ ]ptcm-ln-x- m v Ipº-km-c- q- n ti Imcyw ]pdøp ]dbm ]msn- m m. ]m]w snbvx-h AXv sszh-øn-\p-ap-ºn G p-]-d-bp- -Xm-Wv. AXm-bXv sszh- Øns {]Xn-]p-cp-js apºn. ]s Ip n-ifpw apgp-h G p-]-d- n- n- m- s ImWn- -W-Xv.' "B a\p-jy Cu ]mhw Ip n-isf `oj-wn-s -SvØn-bn-cn- ym-bn-cp- p. Abmfn\n Xncn- p-h-cns Dd p In y-t m-gmwv B\n Cs{Xy- nepw ]d- -Xv.' "CsXmcp henb {]iv\m-b-s m. jntpm-hn\v Dd- mtwm B Ip n Ipg- -Øn-em-bo v?' "Aßn-\ymWv enkn-t n ]d- -Xv. IeymWw Ign- n-s - nepw AΩ-bm-bn-s - nepw Ah - Xns s]mcpƒ s]s v ]nspøw In vwv- m-hpw. AXp-d- n- m Hcp hgn-tb-bp- p. tumœsd ImWn- y. Dd- m- m ] p-a-s m.' "CXp-d- m- m tumœdvss ASvsØm pw t]m. aq{xw ssãv snbvxm axn.' amxyp A ]d- p. "Dd- m-bmtem?' "jntpm, AXmWv htey tnmzyw. AXn\v DØcw A{X Ffp- -. Xev mew BtcmSpw ]db-, {]txy-in v Xncp-ta\n-tbm-Sv. ]gb hm U s] Ip- n-itfmsv A{X \ m-bn- s]cp-am-dvwxv v amt{x At±-l-Øn-\-dn-bp. Imcy-߃ AXn-cp-I-S p F -dn- m B ip m-flmhv t m`n- pw. 17

Rms\m-cmsf ]d- p hnsmw. AbmfvsS Iøn aq{x-øns kmºvfv simsp-øp-hn- m-a-xn. C s Abmsf Ab- mw. As o th AXn-hnsS sim p-h v knã sxtc-kss Iønev simsp-øma-xn. Abmfpw F n\m Ado-WXv FhvSvØym-s ms? Ip oss t]scm pw simsp- -. {] vim v Hcp sndnb Xpºp In ym axn Ahcm Ip oss t]cv \m n- pw, kt`-tsw.' Iøn-ep FÃn-ta v t\m n-s m v A XpS p. "CXv kmmvj-\m-bo v Xs shs m. Ip n-ifv a\p-jy- -sc-t mse Pohn -s.' "icn, At m.' ] n-ta-s-bn-sem pw FØn-bn- n-s pw ap Øv ]S p \n p amhn Nph- n \n psim mwv kwkm-cn- ncp- sx pap t_m[w At m-gmwv jntpm-hn-\p- m-b-xv. t\cnb XWp- p Im v km z-\-ambn Xtem-Sp- p. "At m, Hcp Imcyw IqSn.' "F m jntpm, ]td.' "]tg hm U Cs m Fhn-SymWv?' "Abmtfm? Abmsf CSp- oss ASvØv Hcp ÿeøv B Ip-t ymfv am{xw A\m-Ym-eb-Øn-tebv v am n-bn-cv ym-wv.' jntpm Akz-ÿ-\m-bn. B a\p-jy\v B Ip- n, s] Ip n F hyxym-k-sam- p-ap- m-hn-. "icn-bmwv jntpm ]d- -Xv.' A AXp ]d t mgmwv Xm a\- n I Imcyw Dds ]d- p-sh v jntpm-hn\v a\- n-em-b-xv. amxyp A XpS p. "AXn-s\-s - nepw hgo- m- mw.' A Xncn v Hm^o-kn-te-bv p-xs \S- p. "jntpm, Xm kam-[m-\mbn s]mbvt m. F\n v Hm^o-kn Ipd p tpmen- v.' Ipd p ] - -dn-iƒ hmßn t]mimw. ] n-h-f- n \n v ]pdøp IS- p-tºmƒ jntpm Btem- Nn- p. 9. "Pnknbv v Fßs\ v enkn-t o?' ] - -dn-ifp k niƒ Gev]n- p-tºmƒ jntpm tnmzn- p. "C w simg-s m pw ImWvWney. AhvsSyms FWo v \S vwv v.' " mepw Hcp IÆv m m \ Xv tn n. ]ns, \Ω-fv m- o v FÃn-ta v kmmvj-\m- n-øcmw v amxyp A ]d- n- v v. Fs m- ymwv hmß- Xv v Hcp enãv m -Ww. \msf hmßns m- -cmw. \mfy-, a - m-fv, Xn -fm-gvn. ]ns thsdmcp Imcyw. PnkosS aq{xw ssãv snøm simsp- m ]d- n- v v. \Ω-sfm pw snø-. Ip o-em- o v Hm^o-knev knã sxtckss Iønev simspøm axo v ]d- n v v. Ahcv snbvtxm-fpw. Hcp sndy Ip n thww, ChvsS- mt m?' "aq{xw ]cntim-[n m a\- n-emt m?' "Mpw. Ip nt m?' " mhpw, IgvIn FSv -Ww. Rm Igp-In-Ø-cmw.' "tn n hmßn-sh m axn. Cs m-øs ] nt?' "snømtem.' Abmƒ Ip n-i-fpss apdn-bn-tebv p \S- p. Pnknbpw B\nbpw Hmtcm ssivãv _p pw Xpd- psh v kwkm-cn- p-i-bm-bn-cp- p. Ft m Imcy-amb hnj-b-am-bxp-sim v jntpm apdn-bpss hmxn \n p- -X-h I n-. s]s v B\n NmSn Fgp-t - p. "km!' "Fßns\ v Pnknbv v? Pnkn Ahn-sS-Øs Ccp-t m-fp, Fgp-t -.' Ahƒ ]s Ccp- n-. "Cs m t`zmbn km.' "KpUv.' jntpm hcm- -bn-tebv p IS- p-tºm-gmwv enkn-t n Ip n-bp-ambn hcp- -Xv. Xm AXn-s\- n Pnkn-tbmSv H pw ]d- n-s - -bmƒ Hm Øp. kmc-an-. Nne Imcy-߃ enkn-t - nbv v hn p-sim-sp- p-i-bmwv \ -Xv. kmw]vƒ AS-ßnb Ip n IS-em- n s]mxn v IΩn n Hm^o-kn-tebv v \S ptºmƒ Ip n- Iƒ kviqƒ hn p hcn-i-bm-bn-cp p. Ip n-i-sf- mcpwiqsn H n- m Øp hnfn- p. "jntpm km...' BZy-am-bn- m-bn-cn- Ww hm Us\ m-wp-tºmƒ Ah B Øp-hn-fn- p- -Xv. ssu\n-mvdq-an Ah v th n Nmbbpw Fs - nepw ]e-lm-chpw ImØp-In-S- p- m-hpw. Nmb F pw ]Xn-hp- - Xm-Wv. Ip n-iƒ sship-t cw kviqƒ hn p hcp-tºmƒ Fs - nepw ]e-lmcw D m- n-s m-sp- - W-sa v ]d- n- p- v. Ioi-bn sh t^m i -ap- m- n. ho n \n m-wv. F mwv hnfn- pi IqSn snøm- 18

ØXv F ]cm-xn. "AtΩ Rm hfsc Xnc- n-em-wv. HmSn- msn \S- zm-wv. Chn-SsØ amt\-psc ]d- p-hn- p. Cs m AtßcvsS tpmeow snø-ww. Rm \msf sshio v hcmw. t]msc...' "AsXms t\cn v ImWptºm ]d-bmw. enpn F p ]d-bpwp?...icn, icn.' `mky-øn\v knã sxtck Hm^o-kn H -bv m-bn-cp- p. Ip n simsp-ø-t mƒ Ah ]d- p. "_m_p-t - Cs m hcmw v ]d- n v v CXv simt mhm. Abmfv jntpm-hns\ ImW-. Bfv simd v sni v t\m W sss m-wv. kzim-scyms a\- n shbv pw, ]s Abmfv F n-\mwv Ado-WXv?' "CXns dnkƒ v F -gmwv In zm?' "thkw In pw m txm -W-Xv. In ym t^m snbvxv ]d- m-t msc?' "icn.' Xncn v ÿm]-\-øn-tebv v \S- p-tºmƒ Abmƒ Btem-Nn- p. CsXmcp shdpw Dd- m- am{xm-wv. C\n? Abm-fpsS apºn B ]Xn-\- p-im-cn-bpss `mhn am{x-am-bn-cp p At mƒ. amxyp A F mwv ]d-bpi F -dn-bn-. If-bm At±lw kω-xn- ptam F pw Adn-bn-. \ΩpsS axw AXns\ms FXn-cmWv Fs ms ]d-bptam Bthm? ]ns ]Xn-\ p hb v {]mbw am{xw. Cu {]mb-øn Hc-Ω-bm-hp- -Xns dnkviv F m-bn-cn- pw. t]ms AsXms Ign- m Pohn-X- Imew apgp-h B Ip n A\p-`-hn-t n hcp am\-kn-i-k-ω ±hpw \mw-t -Spw. Hs - -gn v Cu Ip -IrXyw snbvx, Hcp s] Ip- n-bpss PohnXw \in- n Bƒ v ]pxnb ta n p-d-߃ ImWn p simsp- p-ibpw snbvxn-cn- p- p. Cu temi-øn\v Ft m XI-cm-dp- v. H p-in X\nbv v CXn \ns ms Hgn-hm-bn-t m-imw. As - n CXn-s\ms FXn-cmbn s]mcp-xmw. Hgn-hm-bn-t m- Ip- Xv `ocp-xz-am-wv. apdn-bn-se-ønb DSs\ B\n h p. "km, Hcp Imcyw ]d-bm-\v m-bn-cp- p.' "]td tamsf.' "F\n v PnknsS Imcy-Ønev t]sym-bn-cn- p-wp.' "Ft?' "Ah-fn v ]d-øm-wv...' `b-tømss ]n n-tebv p t\m n-s m v Ahƒ XpS p. "\n\-s s H w Nmhm ]t zm v. Ahƒ v H bv v Nmhm hø, As m c p-t]cpw IqSn acn- mw- v.' "\o F p ]d p?' "F\n v ] n- m- v. Ahfpw Nmh-, kmdv Fs - nepw hgn I p-]n-sn vwv mhpw- v ]d p.' "Rm AXn\p th n {ian- p-sim- n-cn- ym-wv. Bfl-lXy Hcp ]cn-lm-c-, -{]-iv\-ßfv ]cnl-cn- ymwv th -Xv. \nß-fnxv a p Ip n-i-tfm-ssm pw ]d- n- n- s m?' "C km.' "Cs m Rm\pw enkn-t ow amxyp A \pw ams{x Adn- n- p- p. Fs - nepw snøm-sa p ]d-bp. ]ns, Ahsf H v {i n- -Ww, H bv v Fß pw hns-cvxv.' "icn km, Rm t]ms. Pnkn _møvdq-anev t]mb X w t\m n h Xm Rm.' cm{xn F p awn-tbmss knã sxtck hnfn- p. ]cn-tim-[-\m-^ew t]mkn- o-hm-wv. "amxyp A Cs m {^obmtwm?' jntpm tnmzn- p. "] n-ta-s-bn-ev v. H v t^m snbvxn v t]mbm axn.' t^m snbvxp. "Xs hnfn- m \n zm-bn-cp- p Rm, dnkƒ v Adn ns? ChnsS hcp, kwkm-cn- mw.' jntpm ASp- -f-bn t]mbn. "enkn-t - n, Rm amxyp A s\ ImWm t]m m-wv. Ip n-iƒ v ` Ww Bbm Ah Ign-t m-s. Fs ImØv\n -. ]ns PnkosS Imcyw. dnkƒ v In n, \Ωfv `b Xv X ym-wv. Ahsf H v \t mww {i n- -Ww. B\n Cs m ]d-ømwv Ah-tfmSpw PnkosS H w acn- m ]t zm v tnmzn- q- v. Ipg-s m- pw- m- msx t\m -tw.' amxyp A apºn-ep Iºyq- kv{io\n t\m n Ft m {_ukv snøp-i-bm-bn-cp- p. jntpm-hn-t\msv Ccn- m BwKyw ImWn v At±lw tamwn- -dn-tebv v Xncn- p. Hc p an\p- ns hns-hn\p tijw At±lw kwkm-cn- m XpS-ßn. "jntpm, \ΩsS apºnev c v hgn-i-fm-wv -Xv. BZy-tØXv t]meo-kn-e-dn-bn- em-wv. c m-atø-xv, F\n v Hcp ]ptcm-ln-x F \ne-bn ]d-bm hnj-a- v AXm-bXv Hcp ]pxnb Poh Ah-km-\n- n v B s] Ip nsb c n- ym- v -Xm-Wv. I Øm-hn\v \nc- mø Hcp Imcyw snbvx a\p-jys\ C\n Hcn- epw ]m]w snøm\mhmø hn[w Hcp \ne-bn-em- pw snøm. CXn BZy-tØ- XmWv \ap v tkbv^m-bn- p- -Xv. t]meokv Imcy-߃ \S-Øn-s m- pw.' "AXp th At m. AXm Ip nbv v shj-amhpw.' "AXmWv Rm ]d-bm t]mw-xv. Ah B Ip nsb tnmzyw snøm-\pw sxfn-sh-sp- n\pw t]meokv tãj-\n-tebv pw CSp- n-bn-tebv pw tims-xn-bn-tebv pw simt mhpw. am[y-a-ßsfms Aßn-s\-sbmcp Imcyw In m ImØv\n m-wv. Ah-cn-Xns ]n m-se-bm-bn-cn- pw. ]ns simtd 19