Translated from the Original Hindi by

Kanwar Dinesh Singh

That day, he wished to see the boundary between India and Pakistan which once was one country―how does it feel to be two now? They were two; both were suspicious of each other. There was security on both sides. There was some land in the middle which no one owned. Both could stand on it. He was standing there, but not alone—he had his wife with him, along with eighteen armed soldiers and their commander too.

How could they leave him alone in front of the soldiers of another country! Not only that, but the commander had said in his ear, “The soldiers from there may call you for tea. Don’t accept their invitation; you never know what happens. Your wife is with you, and then, yesterday, we killed their six smugglers.”

He replied, “No. How can I go there?” And his mind said―“How do you think me so stupid? I am a human; I know how to distinguish between myself and the other. I do have this much sense.”

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that the soldiers from there really came towards him. They were sturdy Pathans. They shook hands with him very heartily.

It was Eid that day. He congratulated them. They once again joined hands with him with great warmth and said, “Come over here. Have a cup of tea with us.”

He had an answer ready with him. Smiling very politely, he said, “Thank you very much. It would have been a great pleasure to be sitting with you, but I have to return today, and the time is short. I am sorry for today.”

Likewise, there was some talk of courtesy when, suddenly, a herd of goats from Pakistan passed by them, leaping and entering the border of India. Everyone looked at them at the same time. A moment later he asked, “Are they yours?”

One of them replied with a deep grin, “Yes, sir! They are ours. They are animals, not knowing how to make a difference.”

*** Kanwar Dinesh Singh, Poet, Storyteller, Critic and Translator (English/Hindi)  kanwardineshsingh@gmail.com