THE PRICE OF A CHICKEN

We were on our way to Didi's, (my elder cousin sister,) house through the narrow lanes of Kolkata. Jathamoni, (my father’s elder brother), a doctor by profession and by far the most veteran driver in the family was at the wheel.

- Anirban Mukhopadhaya

We had been warned that the 'pada', (neighbourhood), we were driving through was always volatile where cars were concerned and likely to erupt at the slightest driving infraction.

Jathamoni drove very slowly, honking at regular intervals and allowing all passersby right of way. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a squawking hen rushed onto the narrow alleyway and before he could react, had disappeared with a flutter of wings between the front wheels, only to emerge a moment later on the other side, before disappearing into a house with a series of annoyed clucks!

That was it. Before anyone could blink, a motley crowd had surrounded the stationary vehicle, all jabbering and gesticulating in shrill unison. Finally, the owner of the victim avian emerged, holding the hen in his arms and Jathamoni rolled down his window glass for the negotiations expected to follow. The crowd also waited keenly for events to unfold.