A Second-Hand Story

I will narrate an incident which I overheard people talking.

Broken fences, hoof prints, gnaw veggies, droppings and stench of cattle smell was in the air.

On seeing the grave of his beloved veggie garden, a resident grumbles, “O! my… my…my…my”.” This is the limit”. “That's it”. “This is too much”.” I should do something. I must …he had had it today.” and waits prepared for a smoking conversation with the WA-DEE-PA. Clouded with anger he waits standing punishing his already tired legs. A couple of minutes later, a shadowy figure slowly approaches. “It must be the WA-DEE-PA, it is, he is definitely him”, exclaimed the poor resident ready to pour out his frustrations.

 The dialogue begins …

 RESIDENT: Hey you, hey---  

WA-DEE-PA: Who? Me.

RESIDENT: Yes you. Your cattle have raided my garden again; this happens time and again, every time. I have even lost the count. I will---

WA-DEE-PA: Please sir, do not get angry. What has happened had happen. Let bygones be bygones.

RESIDENT: It is easy for you to forget, but I am the victim. Only the foot knows where the shoe pinches.

WA-DEE-PA: Yes, you are right. I agree. I will pay you the compensation. But, the question is, how do you want me to make the settlement---

RESIDENT: What do mean?

WA-DEE-PA: I mean, how do you want to make the settlement? … the age old way or the 21^st century style.

RESIDENT: What do you really mean?

WA-DEE-PA: Let me explain, you get a bottle of ara in the age old way and a bottle of beer in the 21^st century style as compensation for your loss.

I could not hear the rest.

Cattle are a menace. The organic veggies in particular face the repeated wrath of it and the residences’ weekend toil is a fruitless labour.