A Small Truth, Big Impact

It was a hot afternoon in Porbandar. little Mohan was sitting in the veranda outside the house, playing with a mango seed. Beads of sweat covered his hair. Just then, his close friend Mehtab came running.

- Dr K Rani

“Mohan! Why are you sitting here? I thought you went to the temple with your mother.”

Mohan shook his head. “No, I didn’t feel like going today.”

Mehtab looked at him for a moment, then spoke softly. “Can I say something... you won't get angry, will you?”

“Go on,” Mohan said.

Mehtab looked around to make sure no one was listening, then leaned in and whispered into his ear.

“Do you know why the English are so powerful? Because they eat meat. And us? Just rice and lentils, without even onions or garlic. If you eat meat, too, you can become strong like them.”

Mohan looked at him in surprise.

“Mummy has forbidden it. We are not allowed to eat such things at home.”

“Don’t tell your mother. Just come with me once. Just once. Then you’ll understand what real strength is.” Mohan fell silent. A strange turmoil stirred inside him. The next afternoon, while his mother was sleeping, Mohan slipped two paisa into his pouch and quietly left with Mehtab. Winding through the lanes, they reached a back alley where an old man was roasting meat.

“Two bowls,” Mehtab said.

Mohan’s heart was pounding. Without asking anything, the old man handed them the bowls. Mohan took a bite. A bitter smell and strange taste filled his mouth. He swallowed it, but his stomach felt uneasy. Mehtab, however, was eating comfortably, as if it were an everyday affair.