The Price of Mangoes

As the sun dipped low, a colourful market came alive at the edge of Chetganj Forest. Fruit and vegetable stalls popped up everywhere.

- Amitabh Shankar Roy Chaudhary

Bobby bear, Lulu lioness, Poppy parrot, and many other animals and birds stood proudly beside their carts, all filled with fresh, juicy mangoes.

“Come taste the famous Banarasi Langra mango! If you miss a mango this sweet, your whole evening will turn sour!” Bobby was shouting.

Poppy’s voice was no less loud either.

“The Malihabadi Dusseheri mango is here! Once you taste these, every other mango will seem bland. Check your pockets and grab some... come get the finest mangoes in the whole forest!” Poppy called out loudly.

“Hey! Who cares about the others when I’m here? It has even rained on us—we are the true kings of taste!” the Chaunsa mangoes on Lulu’s cart How could Bobby’s Langra mangoes tolerate such boasting? “Don’t praise yourselves too much. Everyone knows who the real favourite is!” they replied proudly.

By now, customers had started arriving. The peahen from Mahmoorganj, the deer from Sarnath, and the ducks from Shankudhara had all come with their children to buy mangoes. Two great friends, Roro rabbit and Maddy monkey, also arrived from Karoundi forest.

“Hey, bro, do something! I really feel like eating mangoes,” Roro said.

“But man, our pockets are completely empty. Let me think of some way we can get mangoes for free,” Maddy mused.

Both went and stood in front of Bobby’s cart.

“At what price are you selling the mangoes, Uncle?” Maddy asked. “₹200 a kilo. How much do you want?” Bobby asked.

Maddy felt dizzy. “Oh my goodness! This is sheer robbery in daylight. Why only 200? Just say 2,000,” Maddy said.

“Hey, boy, don’t act clever! If you don’t want to buy, get moving,” Bobby said, turning his face away.

“Oh, why are you angry, Uncle?