A DIVINE ORDEAL

 
Between 5 to 6 P.M. a few games of kho-kho were played, while preparations for atya-patya tonight are afoot. Naval is arranging to have strings of electric bulbs across the compound to provide light. After supper, at about 9 P.M., the game started. The compound was flooded with brilliant illumination and all were in the best of spirits. Baba also seemed to take a very keen interest in the game, although since evening he was much reserved, dull and seemed to be brooding over something.

The game was in full swing, being continued since only half an hour, when all of a sudden, while running across the lines drawn on the ground for the game, Baba collided against Babu (Cyclewalla) with a terrific impact. Apparently his right toe got dislocated.

The very next moment, Baba ran into the dining hall limping on one foot. Immediately he seemed to be suffering excruciating pain, his face was all aghast and pale, and beads of perspiration came out all over the face and body. He even vomited out the stomach contents. All the while, Baba kept on telling us that he was dying, that he wanted to do one thing and quite the contrary has happened!

The gay atmosphere was thus suddenly transformed into one of tense excitement. With anxious faces, and in whispering tones we discussed the possible means of relieving the pain, when twice or thrice Baba repeated that a doctor be brought. In the heat of excitement we all were taken in, even Gustadji whom Baba had that very morning particularly instructed not to call in medical help for him in any case — and so Rustom and Nervous went out for a bone-setter.

Baba was seen to be suffering with violent internal shocks, so much so that in spite of so many of us trying to press and massage his arms and limbs, the whole body was thrilling and vibrating. In spite of the pains and the apparently terrible conditions, Baba explained that he does not mind if instead of the toe, even the whole leg is broken; but it is the internal shocks that are taking the very life out of him, and which the body is hardly equal to bear in this weak condition due to continuous fasting. He said he knew all this and it was one of the phases of his internal working, which not being spent in the direction desired, has come back upon him with such severity.

After an hour or so, the paroxysms of shock ceased, and then measures were adopted to alleviate the external pain of the toe. In order to demonstrate that it was not really the dislocated toe that had caused him so much agony, Baba suddenly got up to the great relief of all, and actually ran around the compound without any limp or lurch. Soon after, the bone-setter arrived! But contrary to allowing him to treat the dislocated toe, Baba even refused him an inspection, and the bone-setter had to return back without even seeing his supposed patient.

Although he was paid his full charges, Rs. 35/- as agreed, the doctor was much disappointed and even mystified. When Rustom in an awkward way finally told him that the patient was now all right and there was no need of any inspection, the doctor could not help putting in, "Even if you don't require any further treatment from me, I won't insist; but what harm is there if I inspect the injury, since I am here, and have received my full fees? An accident, sending you out at late hours in search of medical help from a great distance, you now say, has proved a trivial affair. Perhaps it may develop seriously and there may be only a temporary lull in the pain."

Yet, we somehow managed to take out the bone-setter Saheb and came to Baba in the dining room. Hot water was poured on the injured toe as fomentation, and then a medicinal root applied, and finally it was securely bandaged. Once again, the atmosphere became normal and all began to breathe freely.

Then addressing the party sitting around him, Baba asked, "Can anyone guess as to what is the meaning of this accident?" Thereupon, one by one, all tried to solve the puzzle and gave the possible explanations as per respective opinions; but none came up to the mark. Baba explaining further said, "You remember, I have told you very often that ------- is the most unfortunate of the Circle and that either he will go mad or die some death." All acquiesced in this. Then continuing Baba said, "This shock concerns him, I tried for him but failed. Really he is the unfortunate of the lot and you will hear something about him within a week or so."