SPIRITED HELP

(This story is set on earth’s twin planet GAIA2 which is behind us in age but is evolving.)

Early that morning, as the canister reached the shore, Fling the fisherman picked it up and opened it. Dense smoke erupted from it and a genie appeared before him. The genie said “Stranger, I’m a strange visitor to this town. I had been imprisoned by a bad element and will take care of him suitably later. I want to reward you for releasing me. Make a wish.”

Fling couldn’t answer immediately and merely said “Make me rich.”

“Done” and the genie disappeared!

 Fling finished fishing and went home. He told his wife about the incident when she said “You were dumb as usual! You could’ve made many better wishes.” She paused and added “But the result is disappointing: The genie has vanished! You’ll continue to carry your net on your head and continue fishing. You’re no good. You haven’t even been able to make me produce a child.”

Fling was a mild type and shrugged off her comments. She added “At least go to the king and tell him what the genie said. He could throw a couple of coins into your begging bowl.”

He said “I’ve heard you. Let me now go with my catch to the market.” He hoisted the pole with two bamboo baskets at either end on his shoulder and set off.

The small town had not woken up still and as he proceeded he saw a nude woman come running. She had no cloth round her middle but had covered her most feminine part with both palms which seemed inadequate. Fling being a good natured man, immediately stopped, and laying his baskets on the ground said “I’ve some cloth. Use it to cover yourself first.”

She did as he said and thanked him for it.

He asked “What happened to make you run like this?”

She said “My husband often likes to try his luck with the cast of dice. He plays at the place run by Gambler. Last night he lost all his money and traded me. I didn’t approve of it and immediately went and said I would play. Having no money I risked my jewellery and lost. Then I lost the usual cloth I wear. Gambler is an unscrupulous fellow and uses underweight dice often. He knows how to cheat players. He has made a lot of money illegally.”

“Don’t worry. He will receive his punishment.”

“Thank you very much Fling. We all know you. You’re a good man.”

He again resumed walking and the next he saw was the merry-go-round being repaired. Parking his goods he enquired about what was being done. The man doing the repair said “This has been down since two days and I’m making no money. You see I borrowed from Gambler and have been late to return the loan. His men came and broke the toothed wheel which drives the system. Gambler is an unscrupulous fellow and needs to be punished.”

Fling walked on and reached the market where he traded his catch. Standing aside nearby was someone he knew who had a big moustache (BM). Seeing Fling the man made enquiries and then Fling asked “What is new?”

The man said “I’ve just returned from the port. You won’t believe it! Somebody was trying to charter a boat to leave tomorrow or so. The almanac has said the sea would be choppy and there could be storms.”

Fling laughed and said “May be someone wants to visit Monkey Island!”

BM shrugged and said “Who do you think will want to visit aboriginals?  They could be dangerous to move with. May be they would go to Rubi Isle.”

Fling shrugged, took leave of BM and started walking home. As he neared home, he saw an ass being laden with food grains and asked the loader about it. He said “These items are being delivered to Gambler’s home. There is said to be a feast next week.”

“Whatever  for?”

“Some say he is celebrating his daughter’s wedding. We don’t know.”

 Fling again started walking towards his home. On the way he saw a body on his path and assumed it was someone who had died but when he drew near he saw the man breathing. He brought some water from a tub provided for animals to drink and revived the man. The man sat up.

Fling asked “Who are you? Why were you lying on the road?”

The man said “I’m  Gambler’s gardener and I overheard him talking to his wife. I didn’t hear all that was said, but Gambler assaulted me for overhearing. He assumed he had killed me and threw me out on this road. I don’t think I’ll recover from his assault.”

Fling asked “What were they talking about?”

“About leaving this island tomorrow.  He said it would be safer to take Rho along.”

“Who is Rho?”

“I don’t know.”

Fling said “I can go with you if you find it difficult to go alone.”

“No thanks. You go your way. Thank you for your help.”

Reaching home he told his wife about the happenings on his way. She said “Lunch is ready. Finish it and go to liquor dealer (LD). He might know a Rho. It’s only simple curiosity.”

When Fling went into the barn where liquor would be served, LD said “Fling, what brings you here at such an early hour?”

Fling said “Just need some information. Know anyone named Rho?”

LD laughed and said “Never heard such a funny name! I don’t know any Rho. Why do you want to know?”

He glibly replied “Someone mentioned the name. That is all.”

After Fling left, LD closed his shop and rushed to talk to Gambler.

LD said “The fisherman Fling came to me and asked about a man named Rho.”

Gambler said “It’s a good thing you’ve kept me informed. I feel there is some leak. I must try to leave at dawn tomorrow. I had made a show of arranging a feast next week to escape meantime.”

Fling reached home and told his wife about what LD had said. She said “Just your luck. Now don’t waste any time. Take me so that I may have a baby. Even that is uncertain with you.”

Early the same evening Fling decided to see the king most urgently, and was allowed in. The king got full details of the happenings from Fling and immediately summoned the Chief of Police (COP).

The king gave him the background and said “Locate somebody called Rho. He had links with Gambler. And alert the port.”

COP moved very fast and found arrangements were being made to sail out a chartered boat at dawn. That was stopped. Gambler’s premises were searched and Rho was found. He was a heavy set man with a gigantic moustache, a real ruffian to look at.

COP asked Rho “Where’re you from?”

“I’m from Rubi Isle.”

“What is your occupation?”

“I do execution jobs and earn well.”

“Did you assassinate the prime minister?”

“Yes. I planned it on the bidding of Gambler.”

“Why did he want PM to be killed?”

“The PM was investigating Gambler’s doings and could have put him into trouble.”

The King who was in the next room marched in and said “COP, let the law take its course.”

He then held a private meeting with Fling and said “Fling, I had announced a substantial reward for information about the PM’s killer. You brought in the name Rho and the killer has been caught. The entire reward is yours. You’ll be compensated tomorrow morning.”

Fling went home and told his wife about the reward which would make them rich.

She said “It’s good news. The genie has been sincere. They say luck doesn’t usually come single. I’m ready. Don’t waste time. I’m sure there is going to be a result.” He gleefully started with speed!

END