We believe in what we see. Seeing is believing. Moreover, the experience is the best teacher. What we see and experience is true. So was my experience about the unexpected guest, a total stranger.
The night was cold and breezy. The clock struck nine. I wrapt myself in a shawl and went to the nearby Irani Resturant ‘Friends Corner’. It was an usual resort of college students. A group of half of a dozen yay and garrulous collegians was sitting round the marble table and sipping hot coffee. I posted myself in my favourite corner with soft light and ordered for black coffee.
The shutters of the window were rattling due to strong breeze. My attention was diverted to the heated discussion among the enthusiastic college guys. The unpractical youths were talking about international politics. The boy in high-neck coat was praising Castro, the Cubian leader. He called him the greatest man.
The other in Persian tone said, “Imam Khumaini is the greatest man”. In the meanwhile, a hippi-like stranger entered the coffee-room unperceptably. Then he moved from the adjourning table and joined the zealous group. He was an unexpected man and became a party to the discussion. Though he was like an uninvited guest, we asked him to share coffee. He obliged readily. Being familiar, I also joined them. [the_ad id=”17141″]
To keep up the discussion, the chap in black Sherwani spoke in and said, “You are wrong. In my opinion, Mr. Jinnah was the greatest”. The intruder (unexpected guest) could not help expressing his views and observed, “No body is great, I am the greatest one; I will prove it soon”. All laughed at the audacity of the anarchist.
The fat funny boy with actor’s looks about him; interrupted and romarked. ‘I think a great leader is also a good actor. In my opinion. nibody can compare with the actor President Regan” As the heated debate was on the stranger suddenly looked into his watch: excused himself, took leave of the company and walked away. The general remark on his departure was:
What a rogue! A big fool’.
The cups were emptied. The company prepared to pay the bill and leave. The Persian youth advanced to pay the bill. As he put his hand into his pocket, he found it picked. Then the lad in Sherwani offered to toe the bill. As he put his hand into the side pocket, his purse was missing. He was in a fix, rather ashamed.
The amused proprietor soon joined them and asked what had happened. The puzzled reply was, “Our pockets have been picked. It must be the Hippi. the unexpected guest”! They were correct. The stranger (the guest) had proved that he was the greatest one. As the proprietor walked up the counter, he was stunted. Oh! the cash box was also missing.
They all burst into the chorus: “Indeed he was the greatest, for he has over reached us all. He has befooled us”. What an experience!