Monu's new sherwani
KAVITA SIVARAMAKRISHNAN
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Monu couldn't wait to wear his new sherwani to school. He could just imagine the look on the faces of his classmates.
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Monu the elephant always complimented himself on his sense of humour. Monu's idea of fun was to pass uncouth, crude remarks on others. Munni the deer chided him, "Monu, it is mean. You really don't spare anyone. Passing rude, critical remarks in the guise of humour is not a joke. It is insensitive."
But this always fell on deaf ears. And today it was Bolu's turn to be mocked.
"You should have seen the expression on Bolu's face, he didn't take it well. What you did was disgusting, even if it had evoked laughter, you should have shown some restraint," commented Munni.
"I can't help it, if people are touchy and wear their feelings on their sleeve," retorted Monu. "Bolu's hairdo was definitely hideous. I cannot imagine going out like that." Monu didn't care as he was thinking of his uncle who was to visit him after a long time. He loved his uncle's rare visits for his uncle always brought him beautiful, exquisite gifts.
Very unsettling
This time his uncle bought him a magnificent sherwani. It was breathtakingly beautiful. The only thing that his uncle had forgotten was the size. Monu had definitely grown since his uncle last met him. "My! My! Look how you have grown Monu. I should have a bought a bigger sherwani."
"What a pity, such a beautiful creation," thought Monu. "Well size didn't matter after all, I will tuck in my stomach and hold my breath and the sherwani will be a perfect fit." Monu gazed at himself in the mirror and lo! it did fit perfectly. Monu couldn't wait to surprise his friends.
But as soon as Monu entered the classroom, there was silence. Monu couldn't tuck his stomach in for long, as he thought he would explode and finally gave in; there were some titters and some repressed laughter. Monu tried to ignore them and was feeling uncomfortable throughout the lesson. As soon as Monu left the classroom the animals broke into uncontrollable laughter. Monu couldn't sleep that night.
The next day Munni saw a rather glum Monu.
"Monu it looks as if you didn't have a good sleep last night," said Munni.
"Did I look so bad in my sherwani?"
Munni hemmed and hawed and finally said, "Well not quite. You definitely looked handsome Monu, but the sherwani was just a tad too tight."
"Why were they laughing at me? It was mean and offensive," fumed Monu.
"Look who is talking about meanness. You have always prided on your sense of humour; their laughter shouldn't have affected you at all. You should have taken things in the right sense and laughed it off. C'mon Monu, when you passed offensive mark at others, you didn't mind. You had a good laugh and never gave it a thought. So passing rude, insensitive, cutting remarks is not as easy as taking some, is it?" Monu didn't laugh.
"You know," said Munni, "You should have just ignored them. But if something is really bothering you then you should sort it out with them."
Monu was hesitant but he did it. "Munni, your suggestion worked. They said the sherwani was a little too tight for me and I resembled a cartoon figure. I always thought I was perfect but when I imagined the cartoon figure, I couldn't control my laughter too! Surely I must have looked funny." The next day Monu and Munni chanced to meet Bolu the Bear. He had a different hairdo now, which was the talk of the town. Monu kept quiet. Munni was surprised, "What has come upon you Monu, didn't you see Bolu's funny hairdo?"
"I've learnt my lesson," replied Monu.
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