The Little Rock

                            The Little Rock

Abhijit Chakraborty

The casket was opened and Chottu has seen his father’s last face. He could not weep because his mother probably wept his part. He stared at the sleeping face of his father. The people were gathered in a large number to see the last time of a person who always loved others. 

Chottu suddenly ran to the mountain. His mother was first surprised to see his running but when her conscience came back she cried for her. A neighbor was running after Chottu but lost the vision in the middle of the path. The river was flowing like a wind and Chottu sat on a big rock where he used to sit with his father. The sun brightened the watery silver surface of the river. He searched something beside the rock. 

Chottu’s father was on the way to the burning ghat but everyone was asking for Chottu. His mother was then not crying what she had done previously. She was then worried for his son. She asked everyone to wait for Chottu but the setting sun made their foot movement fast. 

Chottu at last found the little rock which was given by his father for good luck. Probably his father believed in Destiny and, it might be believed that this little rock would bring good fortune to his son. Chottu picked up the rock and kept it in his pocket and started to run. 

When Chottu reached the burning ghat his father’s body became a bucket of ashes. The last flame was still keeping his eyes open. He threw the little to the last flame and then immerged the it with the ashes to the river. His mother asked about it, he answered, “Ma, I don’t want my fortune without you.” At last he cried on the lap of his mother.