1

2

rpWth;fSf;fhd ,uhkhazk;

vd;Diu

md;ghh;e;j khztr; nry;tq;fNs! khzth;fs; jhd; vjph;fhyj; jiyth;fs; vd;gjhy; vdJ vOj;J khzth;fisg; gw;wpajhfNt vg;NghJk; ,Uf;Fk;. Ie;jpy; tisahjJ Ik;gjpy; tisahJ vd;nwhU KJnkhop cz;L. mjw;fhf khzth;fspd; xOf;fj;ij Nkk;gLj;j ty;y Guhzf;fijfisAk;> ,jpfhrf; fijfisAk; vOjpAs;Nsd;. rkak; jhd; xOf;fj;ij tsh;g;gJ. Nkk;gLj;JtJ. flTs; ek;gpf;if cs;s xUtd; vijAk; rhjpf;fyhk;. rkaf;fUj;Jf;fis ek;Gtjd; %yk; kdk; rkhjhdkilAk;> ek;gpf;if cz;lhFk;. ek;gpf;ifAld; nra;Ak; nray;fis ntw;wpaspf;fr; nra;Ak;. mjdhy; flTisg; gw;wpa E}y;fisj; Njbg; gbAq;fs;. mjdhy; cq;fsJ tho;T rpwf;Fk;. vdJ Ie;J E}y;fis ,e;J rka gz;ghl;likr;rpd; gzpg;ghsh; jpU. m. ckhkNf];tud; ntspaplj; jPh;khdpj;Js;shh;. mth; nghWg;Ngw;w gpd;G ,e;J rkak; vd;Wkpy;yhj tsh;r;rpaile;Js;sJ. tpohf;fs;> FU g+irfs; rpwg;ghf eilngWfpd;wd. goe;jkpo;> rka E}y;fs; mr;rplg;gl;L ntsptUfpd;wd. mwnewpg; ghlrhiyfs; kpfTk; rpwg;ghf eilngWfpd;wd. Mrphpah;fis tsg;gLj;j gy;NtWgl;l gapw;rpfs; toq;fg;gLfpd;wd. nkhj;jj;jpy; irtrkaj;jpd; vOr;rpf; fhyk; ,Jntd;W Jzpe;J $wyhk;. mikr;rUf;Fk;> gzpg;ghsUf;Fk;> ,f; fijia fzdp kag;gLj;jpAk;> glq;fis tbtikj;Jk; je;j nry;tp.g.ahopdpf;Fk; ed;wp $wpf;nfhs;fpd;Nwd;.

ed;wp

md;Gld;>

Nf.tp.FzNrfuk;.

3

,uhk mtjhuk;

ghuj ehL kpfTk; nghpaJ. ngUikfs; gyTk; tha;e;jJ. Gz;zpa jPh;j;jq;fs;> Gdpj ejpfs;> tzf;fj;jpw;Fhpa kiyfs;> mlh;e;j nghpa fhLfs; cs;s ehL. mq;F gy Kdpth;fSk;> kfhd;fSk; gpwe;J ehl;bw;Fk;> cyfpw;Fk; mhpa gy Nritfisr; nra;jdh;. mj;Jld; me;ehl;bNy gy NguuRfSk; rpw;wuRfSk; ,Ue;jd. mtw;wpy; xd;W Nfhry ehL. jrujr; rf;futh;j;jp mNahj;jpiaj; jiy efuhff; nfhz;L me;ehl;il ePjp newp jtwhJ Ml;rp Ghpe;J te;jhd;.

jrujd; ePjpahd kd;dd;. mjdhy; mq;F thOk; kf;fs; kpfTk; kfpo;r;rpahf tho;e;J te;jdh;. kd;dd; mNahj;jpapy; cs;s Nfhtpy;fisnay;yhk; ey;y Kiwapy; guhkhpj;jhd;. kf;fs; ve;jtpjkhd FiwghLfSkpd;wp tho;e;jdh;. jrujdpd; muz;kidf;Fg; Gyth;fSk;> Kdpth;fSk;> mwpQh;fSk; te;J jkJ jpwikfis ntspf;fhl;b kd;didAk; kf;fisAk; kfpo;tpj;J nry;th;. mjdhy; kf;fSk;> me;jzh;fSk;> Kdpth;fSk;> rpw;wurh;fSk; jrujd; kPJ mstpy;yhj md;ig itj;jpUe;jdh;.

kf;fs; vy;NyhUk; ve;jtpjkhd FiwfSkpd;wp kfpo;Tld; tho;e;J tUk; NghJ jrujd; kpFe;j kdf;ftiyAld; tho;e;J te;jhd;. mtDf;F Nfhriy ifNfap> Rkpj;jpiu vd;W %d;W kidtpfs; ,Ue;j NghJ ahUf;Fk; gps;is gpwf;ftpy;iy. mjdhy; jrujd; kpFe;j Jauj;Jld; mij trpl;l KdptUf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;. mijf; Nfl;l trpl;lh;>“kd;dh> cdf;Fg; gps;isg;NgW Ntz;Lkhdhy; mjw;F eP xU ahfk; nra;jy; Ntz;Lk;. mjw;F Gj;jpufhNkl;b ahfk; vd;W ngah;. me;j ahfj;ijr; nra;jhy; epl;rakhf cdf;Fg; Gj;jpughf;fpak; fpilf;Fk;” vd;whh;. mjd;gb trpl;lh; ahfj;ij rpwg;ghf elj;jpdhh;. gy Mapuk; me;jzh;fSk;> ,yl;rf;fzf;fhd nghJ kf;fSk; me;j ahfj;jpy; fye;J nfhz;ldh;. mg;NghJ me;j XkFz;lj;jpd; eLtpy; ,Ue;J nja;tg;Ghprd; xUtd; Njhd;wpdhd;. mtdJ ifapy; ghark; epiwe;j nghw;fpz;zk; xd;W ,Ue;jJ. mtd; mijj; jrujdplk; nfhLj;J>“cdJ kidtpfSf;F ,ijg; gq;fpl;Lf; nfhL” vd;W $wp kiwe;jhd;.

jrujd; nghw;fpz;zj;jpy; ,Ue;j gharj;ijj; jdJ kidtpah; %tUf;Fk; gq;fpl;Lf; nfhLj;jhd;. rpy khjq;fspy; %tUk; fh;g;gkile;jdh;. gj;J khjq;fs; Kbe;jJk; Nfhriyf;F xU kfd; gpwe;jhd;. mtDf;F ,uhkd; vd;w ehkj;ij jrujd; R+l;b kfpo;e;jhd;. rpy ehl;fspd; gpd; ifNffpf;F xU kfd; gpwe;jhd;. mtDf;Fg; gujd; vd;w ehkj;ijj; jrujd; R+l;b kfpo;e;jhd;. mjd; gpd; %d;whtJ kidtpahd Rkpj;jpiuf;F ,uz;L Mz; gps;isfs; gpwe;jd. mtw;wpw;F ,yl;Rkzd; vd;Wk; rj;Uf;fd; vd;Wk; ehkk;; R+l;bj; jrujd; kfpo;e;jhd;. jdf;Fg; gps;isfs; gpwe;jikahy; jrujd; kf;fSf;Fk;> me;jzh;fSf;Fk;> Kdpth;fSf;Fk; ntFkjpfSk; ghpRg; nghUl;fSk; toq;fpdhd;. mijg; nghpanjhU tpohthff; nfhz;lhbdhd;. mNahj;jp kf;fs; FJ}fyj;Jld; mt;tpohtpy; fye;J nfhz;ldh;.

,yl;RkzDf;F ,uhkd; kPJ mstw;w md;G ,Ue;jJ. mjdhy; vt;NtisapYk; mtd; ,uhkDld; jhd; ,Ug;ghd;. ,uhkDk; mtdpd; kPJ mstw;w md;ig itj;jpUe;jhd;. ,Ug;gpDk; Vida %tUk; ,uhkd; kPJ mstw;w md;G nfhz;bUe;jdh;. ,uhkDk; mth;fs; kPJ md;G nfhz;bUe;jhd;. jrujDf;F %j;j kfdhd ,uhkdpd; kPJ msT fle;j ghrk; ,Ue;jJ.

chpa taJ te;jJk; jrujd; mth;fSf;Ff; fy;tp fw;gpf;f Vw;ghLfisr; nra;jhd;. Ntjcgepljq;fisAk; ahidNaw;wk;> FjpiuNaw;wk;> tpy;tpj;ij> ths;g; gapw;rp NjNuhl;ly; Kjyhd gy fiyfisAk; mth;fs; fw;Wj; Njh;e;jdh;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkdDk; rfy tpj;ijfisAk; fw;W khtPuuhapdh;. mth;fspd;

4

jpwikiaf; fz;L trpl;lUk; jrujDk; kpf;f kfpo;r;rp nfhz;ldh;. mth;fsJ Nghh;j; jpwikfisf; fz;l kf;fs; mjprapj;jdh;. mth;fsJ jpwikfisf; Nfs;tpg;gl;l may;ehl;lurh;fs; mr;rk; nfhz;ldh;. ,Ue;j NghJk; ,uhkdJ ew;Fzq;fisj; njhpe;J nfhz;l mth;fs; ,uhkDld; el;Gg; G+z MtYw;wdh;. ,uhkdJ mikjpahd Rghtk; midtiuAk; fth;e;jJ.

tpRthkpj;jpudpd; tUif

,uhkDf;Fj; jpUkz taJ te;jij czh;e;j jrujd; mtDf;Fj; jpUkzk; nra;J itg;gjw;fhd Vw;ghLfisr; nra;aj; njhlq;fpdhd;. mjw;fhfg; GNuhfpjh;fisAk;> trpl;liuAk;> mwpQh;fisAk; rigf;F mioj;Jg; Ngrpdhd;. mg;NghJ thapy; fhtyd; xUtd; te;J jrujid tzq;fp>“kfhuh[h; tpRthkpj;jpuh; vd;w Kdpth; jq;fisf; fhz te;jpUf;fpwhh;” vd;whd;.

typik kpf;f ngUikAk; jttypikAk; kpf;f tpRthkpj;jpu Kdpth; jd;idf; fhz te;jpUf;fpwhh; vd;gijf; Nfl;L kfpo;e;j jrujd; jd; rpk;khrdj;ij tpl;bwq;fp mtiu tuNgw;gjw;fhfr; nrd;whh;. tpRthkpj;jpudpd; GfioAk; jttypikiaAk; gw;wp Kd;Ng Nfs;tpg;gl;likahy; mtd; Kdptiug; ngUkfpo;Tld; tuNtw;W> mtiu tzq;fp mur rigf;F mioj;J te;jhh;. tpRthkpj;jpuh; murid tho;j;jp Mrp $wptpl;L Mrdj;jpy; mkh;e;jhh;.

“KdptNu> ey;y Neuj;jpy; ,q;F te;jPh;fs;. vdJ kfd; ,uhkDf;Fj; jpUkzk; nra;Ak; Nehf;Fld; $bapUe;Njd;. jhq;fs; mtid MrPh;tjpj;J jpUkzj;jpw;fhd MNyhridia toq;Fk;gb Nfl;Lf;nfhs;fpd;Nwd;” vd;whd;.

mijf; ftdpf;fhjth; Nghy tpRthkpj;jpuh; nrhd;dhh;>“muNr> ,uhkdhy; vdf;nfhU fhhpakhf Ntz;Lk;” vd;whh;.

“jhq;fs; Kd;G rhjhuz Kdptuhf ,Ue;J gpd;G gyfhyk; jtQ; nra;J ngUk; Kdptuhfp tpl;Bh;fs;. cq;fSf;F vk;ngUkhdhd rptdpd; mUs; epiwa cz;L. jhq;fsJ jpUtb gjpe;jjhy; vkJ ehLk; muRk; ngUk; ed;ikaile;Js;sJ. ngUik ngw;Ws;sJ. jhq;fs; tpUk;Gtijr; nra;tJ vdJ ghf;fpakhFk;. nrhy;Yq;fs;” vd;whd;. mijf; Nfl;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; kpf;f kfpo;r;rpaile;jhh;.

“kd;dh> cdJ ngUe;jd;ikia cdJ Ngr;R vLj;Jf;fhl;LfpwJ. kf;fSf;Fk;> me;jzh;fSf;Fk;> Kdpth;fSf;Fk; kfpo;thd tho;f;ifia mikj;Jf; nfhLj;j cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; te;jpUf;fpNwd;. eP ehd; Nfl;fhkNy mijj; jUtjhff; $wptpl;lha;. cdJ guk;giuapdhpd; jhuhz;ik cd;dplKk; epiwe;jpUf;fpwJ” vd;W $wptpl;Lj; jrujdpd; Kfj;ijg; ghh;j;jhh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;. mJ g+uz kfpo;Tld; ,Ue;jijf; fz;L kfpo;Tld; nrhd;dhh;>“kd;dh> ehd; cyf ed;ikf;fhTk; mRuh;fspd; nfhl;lk; mlq;Ftjw;fhfTk; ahfk; nra;aj; njhlq;fpNdd;. ,uz;L muf;fh;fs; mijf; Fog;gpf; nfhz;bUf;fpwhh;fs;. vg;nghOJk; ahfrhiyia mopj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;fpwhh;fs;.”

“ahh; mth;fs;. mth;fisr; nfhy;Yk;gb MizapLfpNwd;” vd;whd; jrujd;.

“kd;dh> RghF> khhPrd; vd;w ,U muf;fh;fs; GyhiyAk; ,uj;jj;ijAk; vdJ ahf rhiyf;Fs;f; nfhz;L te;J NghLfpwhh;fs;. gyKiw nrhy;ypAk; Nfl;fpwhh;fspy;iy. rhgk; nfhLj;Jr; rgpj;J tpLNtd;. ahfk; nra;gth; xUtUf;F ntFkjp nfhLf;fyhNk jtpuj; jz;bf;fyhfhJ” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

“mg;gbah? jhq;fs; vd;dplj;jpy; vd;d cjtpia vjph;ghh;f;fpwPh;fs;” vd;W jrujd; Nfl;lhd;.

5

“muNr> jq;fs; %j;j kfd; ngUk; tPud;. gyrhyp. mtd; taJ Fiwe;jtdhdhYk; mRuh;fis ,yFthf nty;thd;. ehd; ahfj;ijg; g+h;j;jp nra;a Ntz;Lkhdhy; ahfrhiyf;Ff; fhty; Ntz;Lk;. mjw;Fj; jFjpahdtd; ,uhkd;. mtid vd;Dld; mDg;gp itAq;fs;” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

“KdptNu> mtd; Kiwg;gb gapw;rp ngw;whYk; chpa taij milahjtd;. nghWg;ghf ele;J nfhs;Sk; Mw;wy; ,y;yhjtd;” vd;whh; jrujd;.

“kd;dh> cdJ kfidg; gw;wp KOikahf mwpe;j gpd;G jhd; ehd; ,q;F te;Njd;. mtdhy; cyfk; ngUk; ed;ik milag;NghfpwJ. mtDf;F ve;j Mgj;Jk; tuhJ. ,jd; %yk; mRutk;rk; gaKwy; Ntz;Lk;. ve;j muf;fDk; ,uhkid vjph;j;Jg; Nghhpl KbahJ. mt;tsT gyrhyp mtd;. ,uhkidj; jtpu vtuhYk; mt; muf;fh;fis mopf;f KbahJ. mjdhy; gak; nfhs;shJ ,uhkid vd;Dld; mDg;G” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

mRuh;fisj; jdJ gilia mDg;gp mopf;fj; jpl;lkpl;l jrujd; mijf; Nfl;Lj; jpfpyile;J Nghdhd;. mtd; ,Jtiu Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;Fr; nrd;W vjphpfNshL Nghhpl;bUe;jhy; mDg;gyhk;. mij tpl ,uhkid kl;Lk; fhtYf;Ff; Nfl;ljhy; kpFe;j Jf;fkile;jhd; jrud;.

jrujd; vJTk; NgrhJ mikjpahf ,Ue;jijf; fz;L tpRthkpj;jpuh; rw;Wf; Nfhgkhfr; nrhd;dhh;>“kd;dh> vd;dpy; cdf;F ek;gpf;if ,y;iyah? vdJ jttypikiag; gw;wp cdf;Fj; njhpahjh? vdJ jttypikahy; jhd; ehd; ,ijf; $WfpNwd;. nfhLikfs; nra;Ak; muf;fh;fis mopf;Fk; Muk;g eltbf;if ,J. ,J ,uhkdhy; jhd; eilngw Ntz;Lk;. ,jdhy; cdf;Fk; ,uhkDf;Fk; ,uhr;rpaj;Jf;Fk; ed;ik cz;lhFk;. jhkjpahNj jhkjpf;Fk; xt;nthU fzKk; Mgj;Jf;fs; mjpfhpf;Fk;. mjdhy; mtid vd;Dld; mDg;G” fl;lis ,LtJ Nghyr; nrhd;dhh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

jhd; ,uhkid mDg;ghtpl;lhy; ,uhkid Kdpth; rgpj;J tpLthh; vd;W gae;j jrujd; epidtpoe;J rpq;fhrdj;jpy; rha;e;jhd;.

,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; KdptNuhL nry;yy;

kaf;fk; njspe;J vOe;j jrujd; tpRthkpj;jpuUf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;>“kfh KdptNu> jpUkzk; nra;J gy fhyk; gps;isapy;yhjpUe;J ahfk; nra;Nj ,uhkidg; ngw;Nwd;. mjdhy; vdJ Kg;gilfisAk; ck;Kld; mDg;Gfpd;Nwd;. mj;Jld; ehNd gilfSf;Fj; jiyik jhq;fpr; nrd;W mt;mRuh; ,UtiuAk; mth;fsJ $l;lj;ijAk; NtNuhL mopf;fpNwd;. mtDf;F VjhtJ Neh;e;jhy; vd;dhy; jhq;fpf; nfhs;sNt KbahJ” vd;W fyq;fpdhd;.

“tpRthkpj;jpuUf;F msTf;fjpfkhd Nfhgk; te;jJ. mtuJ KfKk; fz;fSk; rpte;jd>“kd;dh> ghujNjrj;jpy; vj;jid ehLfs; cs;sd. mq;nfy;yhk; nry;yhJ ,q;F te;jjw;Ff; fhuzk; cz;L. jh;kj;jpy; cah;e;j jh;kKila uFFyj;jpy; gpwe;j eP vd;idAk; vdJ jttypikiaAk; vdJ Nehf;fj;ijAk; GhpahJ fyq;Ffpwha;. mj;Jld; eP ehd; Nfl;lijj; jUtjhf thf;Fj; je;Js;sha;. mij kPwg;Nghfpwhah..? nrhy; ehd; nrd;W tpLfpNwd;” vd;W mjl;bdhh;.

mijf; fz;L gae;j trpl;lh; fyf;fj;Jld; jrujdpd; mUfpy; te;J>“kd;dh> ,uhkd; tPud;. Kdpth; vq;Fk; nry;yhJ ,q;F te;jikf;F VNjh xU Kf;fpa fhuzkpUf;fpwJ. Kdpth; jdJ jttypikahy; vijAk; rhjpf;ff; $bath;. mijtpl mthpd; jtg;gyd; kpfTk; typikahdJk; rf;jp tha;e;jJk; MFk;. KdptUf;Ff; Nfhgk; te;J rgpj;jhuhdhy; cq;fs; tk;rk; Kd; nra;j jhd jh;k Gz;zpaq;fnsy;yhk; mope;J tpLk;. mjdhy; ,uhkNdhL ,yl;RkzidAk; mDg;Gq;fs;. ,uhkDf;F Gtpapy; gy jPikfis mopf;f Ntz;ba Njit ,Uf;fpwJ.

6

tpRthkpj;jpudpd; ghJfhg;gpy; ,Ug;gth;fSf;F ve;jj;Jd;gKk; tuhJ” vd;W $wj; jrujd; rk;kjpj;J ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; tpRthkpj;jpuUld; mDg;gr; rk;kjpj;jhd;.

,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; trpl;lhplKk; jrujdplKk; jhaplKk; rpw;wd;idfsplKk; Mrp ngw;wdh;> “,uhkh> cd;id nty;y ahuhYk; KbahJ. cdJ flik ,g;NghJ njhlq;fpAs;sJ. jPikfis mopj;J ed;ikfis cz;lhf;F. Kdpth;fspd; ahfj;ij RghF> khhPrd; vd;w ,U mRuh;fSk; mth;fsJ NridAk; mopj;J tUfpwJ. eP mNahj;jpapd; murdhf Ntz;batd;. mjdhy; kf;fisAk; Kdpth;fisAk; fhg;gJ cdJ fld;. rptdpd; MrpAk; vdJ MrpAk; tpRthkpj;jpuhpd; MrpAk; cdf;Fg; gykhf vt;NtisapYk; ,Uf;Fk;. nrd;W th” vd MrPh;tjpj;jdh;.

,uhkd; jrujdplk; te;J nrhd;dhd;>“je;ijNa fyq;fhjPh;fs;. jPik xUNghJk; ntd;wjpy;iy jPath;fis mopj;J ey;yth;fisf; fhg;gJ mur guk;giuapduJ flik. fyq;fhjPh;fs;. mt;tpU mRuh;fisAk; mth;fsJ $l;lj;ijAk; mopj;J ePjpia epiyehl;l MrPh;tjpAq;fs;” vd;whd;. jrujd; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; MrPh;tjpj;J tpil nfhLj;jhh;.

mjidj; njhlh;e;J Ntjpah;fs; gy;NtW rlq;Ffisr; nra;jdh;. mjd; gpd; ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; tpRthkpj;jpuUld; Gwg;gl;ldh;. mg;NghJ ,e;jpud; Kjyhd Njth;fs; thdpy; ,Ue;J g+khhp nrhhpe;J tho;j;jpdh;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; Njhspy; ,uz;buz;L mk;Guhj; Jzpfis (mk;Gfs; itf;Fk; $L) jhpj;jpUe;jikahy; top epd;w kf;fSf;F mth;fs; %d;W jiyfis cs;s ,uz;L ehfq;fisg; Nghyj; njhpe;jdh;. topfspy; epd;w kf;fs; g+f;fisr; nrhhpe;J jkJ tho;j;Jf;fisj; njhptpj;jdh;.

mth;fs; %tUk; ele;J nrd;W ruhA ejpf;fiuia mile;jdh;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; fisg;gile;jpUe;jdh;. mijf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; nrhd;dhh;>“,UtUk; Mw;W ePhpy; ePuhLq;fs;. me;ePiuf; FbAq;fs;. ehk; fhyq;flj;jf; $lhJ. ke;jpuq;fspy; rpwe;jJ giy> mjpgiy vd;w ,uz;L ke;jpuq;fs;. mtw;iw ehd; cq;fSf;F cgNjrpf;fpNwd;. mk;ke;jpuq;fisf; fw;wth;fs; J}q;fpf; nfhz;bUe;jhNyh my;yJ kiwe;jpUe;jhYk; mRuh;fshy; mth;fis nty;y KbahJ. ,k;ke;jpuq;fis eP epidj;jhy; ngUk; gyrhypahtha;. cd;id nty;y ahuhYk; KbahJ. ke;jpuq;fisr; nrhd;dhy; grpAk; jhfKk; cz;lhfhJ. ,J gpukNjtdhy; cgNjrpf;fg;gl;lit” vd;whh;.

gpd;G ,uhkd; Gdpj ePhpy; ePuhb> mijg; gUfpaJk; tpRthkpj;jpuh; giy> mjpgiy vd;Dk; ,uz;L ke;jpuq;fisAk; mtdJ fhjpy; Xjpdhh;. md;W ,uT KOtJk; rua+ ejpf;fiuapy; %tUk; cwq;fpdh;. muz;kidapy; nrhFrhd gQ;R nkj;ijfspy; gLj;Jwq;fpa ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; Gw;jiuapy; gLj;J cwq;fpdh;.

mq;f Njrk;

nghOJ tpbe;jJk; Gw;wiuapy; cwq;fpa ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; vOe;J ejpapy; ePuhb tpl;Lr; R+hpaid tzq;fpf; fhaj;jphp ke;jpuj;ij n[gpj;J tpl;L tpRthkpj;jpuiu tzq;fpdh;. %tUk; mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;L rua+ ejp fq;ifAld; fyf;Fk; ,lj;jpw;F te;jdh;. ejpf;fiuapy; gy Kdpth;fs; gd;drhiy mikj;Jj; jtk; nra;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;.

mg;NghJ tpRthkpj;jpuh; mk;Kdpth;fspd; tuyhw;iwr; nrhd;dhh;> “,uhkh> kd;kjd; Kd;G fz;Zf;Fg; Gyg;gLk; tbtj;jpy; ,Ue;jhd;. rptngUkhd; jtk; nra;J nfhz;bUe;jhh;. mtuJ jtj;ijf; fiyj;Jg; ghh;tjpNahL $l itj;jy; Ntz;Lk; vd;W Njth;fs; kd;kjid ,ue;J Nfl;ldh;. mjdhy; rptDf;F NkhfTzh;T cz;lhtjw;fhf kd;kjd; rptd; kPJ kyh;f;fizfisj; njhLj;jhd;. jdJ jtj;ijf;

7

fiyj;j kd;kjd; kPJ fLq;Nfhgk; nfhz;l rptd; jdJ new;wpf; fz;izj; jpwe;jhh;. mjdhy; kd;kjd; vhpe;J rhk;gyhfp tpl;lhd;.”

“me;jr; rk;gtk; ele;j ,lk; jhd; ,J. mjdhy; ,g;Gz;zpa g+kpapy; Kdpth;fs; Mjpfhyk; njhl;Lj; jtk; nra;J tUfpwhh;fs;. ,th;fs; vg;NghJk; rptdpd; epidthf ,Ug;gjhy; ghtkpd;wp tho;fpwhh;fs;. mjdhy; ehk; ,d;W ,uT mq;fNjrk; vd;W nrhy;yg;gLk; ,g;Gz;zpa g+kpapy; jq;fpapUe;J ehisa jpdk; fq;ifiaj; jhz;br; nry;Nthk;. ,dp ehk; ePuhb vkJ flikfis Kbj;J tpl;L xt;nthU Kdpth;fspdJk; gd;drhiyf;Fr; nrd;W mth;fis tzq;fp MrpngWNthk;” vd;whh;.

Kdpth;fsJ gd;drhiyf;Fr; nrd;w NghJ tpRthkpj;jpuiuAk;> ,uhkidAk;> ,yl;RkzidAk; jkJ jttypikahy; mwpe;J nfhz;l Kdpth;fs; mth;fs; %tiuAk; ngU kfpo;Tld; tuNtw;W mth;fSf;F czT nfhLj;jdh;. ,uthdJk; rptd; kd;kjid vhpj;j ,lkhd fhkhrpukk; vd;w ,lj;jpw;Fr; nrd;W mt;tplj;ij tzq;fp mq;NfNa jq;fpdhh;fs;.

rua+ejp

nghOJ tpbe;jJk; ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; tpRthkpj;jpu KdptUld; fq;if ejpapd; fiuf;F te;jdh;. mq;F ,Ue;j Kdpth;fs; Xh; Xlj;jpy; mth;fis Vw;wptpl;ldh;. mth;fs; fq;ifiaf; flf;Fk; NghJ Xh; ,lj;jpy; miyfs; NknyOe;J Mh;g;ghpj;jd. mJ ngUk; xypia vOg;gpaJ. mijf;Nfl;l ,uhkd; tpRthkpj;jpu Kdpthplk; Nfl;lhd;>“Rthkp> ,g;ngUk; rj;jk; mr;rj;ijf; nfhLf;fpwJ. ,J vjdhy; Vw;gl;lnjd;W jq;ff;Fj; njhpAkh?”

“,uhkh> ifyha kiyapy; gpukNjtd; jdJ kdjpdhy; xU ePh; epiyia mikj;J mjw;F khzrk; vd;W ngahpl;lhd;. me;j ePH; epiyapy; ,Ue;J ePh; ngUFk; rj;jk; jhd; ,J. mjd; ngah; rua+ ejp. me;ejp mNahj;jpkh efiur; Rw;wp XLfpwJ. gpukd; jdJ kdjpdhy; mikj;J ifyha kiyapy; ,Ue;J ngUf;nfLj;J XLkhW mUspaikahy; jhd; me;ejpf;F rua+ ejp vdg;ngah; Vw;gl;lJ. me;j ejp fq;ifNahL fyf;Fk; rj;jk; jhd; Nfl;Lf; nfhz;bUf;fpwJ. mJ xU Gz;zpa jPh;j;jkhFk;. mij tzq;Fq;fs;” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

,uhkDk;> ,yl;RkzDk; me;j ejpia tzq;fpdh;. Xlk; nkJthff; fq;if ejpapd; njd; fiuia mile;jJ.

Xlj;jhy; ,wq;fp ele;J nry;Yk; NghJ Xh; mlh;e;j fhL vjph;g;gl;lJ. mf;fhL kpfTk; neUf;fkhfTk; ,Us;glh;e;jjhfTk; ,Ue;jJ.

“Rthkp> fhl;L kuq;fs; kpfTk; neUf;fkhf ,Ug;gjhy; vk;khy; cs;Ns nry;y Kbatpy;iy. ,Ushf ,Ug;gjhy; NkNy nry;y Kbatpy;iy. rpy tz;Lfs; $l;lk; $l;lkhfg; gwf;fpd;wd. cs;Ns nfhba kpUfq;fspd; xyp Nfl;fpwJ. fOFfSk;> Me;ijfSk; gwe;J jphpfpd;wd. ,g;gbahd fhL vkJ ,uhr;rpaj;jpy; cz;lh..? ,jd; ngah; vd;d?” vd;W ,uhkd; Nfl;lhd;.

“,uhkh> ,e;jf; fhL xU fhyj;jpy; kpfTk; nropg;ghf ,Ue;jJ. ,q;F kf;fs; te;J jkf;Fj; Njitahd nghUl;fis vLj;Jr; nrd;wdh;. NtW ehLfSf;F ,f;fhl;bD}lhfNt kf;fs; nrd;W te;jdh;. ,g;nghOJ jhlif vd;w muf;fp ,f;fhl;by; trpj;J tUfpwhs;. mts; Mapuk; ahidfspd; gyj;ijf; nfhz;lts;. epidj;j NghJ epidj;j cUit mts; vLg;ghs;. mtSf;Fg; gpwe;jtd; jhd; khhPrd;. jhlif fhl;bd; ngUk; gFjpiaj; jd;Ds; mlf;fp itj;jpUf;fpwhs;. mjdhy; mts; kf;fSf;Fg; gy;NtW tifahd Jd;gq;fisf; nfhLj;Jf; nfhz;bUf;fpwhs;. ,g;NghJ kf;fs; vtUk; ,f;fhl;Lf;Fs;r; nry;y mDkjpf;f khl;lhs;. Mdhy; ehk; ,f;fhl;bD}lhfj; jhd; nry;y Ntz;Lk;. mjdhy; mtjhdkhf ,U. cd;dhy; jhd;

8

mtis mopf;f KbAk;. ehd; nrhy;Yk; NghJ mtis mopg;gjw;fhd Vw;ghl;ilr; nra;” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

jhlif tjk;

tpRthkpj;jpuh; jhlifiag; gw;wpr; nrhd;dJk; ,uhkd; jdJ tpy;iy vLj;J ehzpy; mk;igg; nghUj;jpdhd;. gpd; mk;ig tpl;lhd;. mk;G ehiz tpl;Lg; Gwg;gl;l rj;jk; mf;fhl;il mjpur; nra;jJ. gwitfs; mr;rj;jhy; gwe;jgb fPr;rpl;ld. rpq;fq;fs; fh;r;rpj;jd. Gypfs; cWkpd. ahidfs; gpspwpd. fhL rpy fzq;fs; mjph;e;jJ. mf;fhl;by; thOk; jhlifapd; $l;lj;ijr; Nrh;e;j muf;fh;fs; gaj;jhy; eLq;fpagb jhlif ,Ue;j ,lj;jpw;F Xb te;jdh;.

mr;rj;jj;ijf; Nfl;L mjph;r;rpaile;j jhlif fLq;Nfhgq;nfhz;L mr;rj;jk; te;j jpiria Nehf;fp elf;f mRuh;fs; mtisg; gpd; njhlh;e;jdh;. vd;Wk; Nfshj

mg;gaq;fur; rj;jj;jhy; mts; msTf;fjpfkhff; Nfhgq; nfhz;bUe;jhs;. jhlifAk; muf;fh; $l;lKk; te;j NghJ GOjp vOe;J fhl;il kiwj;jJ.

jhlifia cw;Wg; ghu;j;jhd; ,uhkd;. xU fUq;fy;yhyhd nghpa ghiw xd;W mire;J tUtJ Nghy ,Ue;jJ. jhlifiaf; fz;l ,uhkd;> “jk;gp> mtjhdkhf ,U. mts; kdpjiug; gpbj;J cz;gts;. kf;fs; ahuhtJ ghh;j;jhy; mjph;r;rpahy; ,we;J tpLthh;fs;. ,ts; ngUk; gyrhyp. mj;Jld; khaq;fisAk; je;jpuq;fisAk; nra;J jhf;Fgts;. ,ts; ngz;zhf ,Ug;gjhy; nfhy;yj; jaf;fkhf ,Uf;fpwJ. ,tsJ fhijAk; %f;ifAk; mWj;J iffhy;fis Kwpj;J mDg;g Nahrpf;fpNwd;. mjdhy; ,tshy; tdj;jpy; elkhl Kbahj epiy Vw;gLk;. mjdhy; kf;fs; mr;rkpd;wp thoyhk;” vd;whd;.

,uhkd; nrhy;ypf; nfhz;bUf;Fk; NghJ ,uhkidf; fz;l jhlif kpFe;j Nfhgk; nfhz;L jdJ iffis cah;j;jpathW ,uhkidg; gpbg;gjw;fhf ,uhkid Nehf;fp Ntfkhf Xb te;jhs;. mijf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; rptid epidj;J ke;jpuq;fis n[gpj;jgb ,Ue;jhh;. jhlif kpfTk; Ntfkhf Xb te;J GOjpia thhp ,iwj;jhs;. fhL ,UshdJ. ,uhkd; xU fzk; mjph;e;jhd;. mj;Jld; $l te;j muf;fh;fs; fw;fshy; jhf;fj; njhlq;fpdh;.

9

mijf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; nrhd;dhh;>“,uhkh> ,tisg; ngz; vd;W epidf;fhNj. ,uhl;rjp. kf;fisg; GOg; Nghy fhyhy; erpg;gts;. ,tsJ $l;lj;jpdh; Kdpth;fspd; rptg+irfisAk; ahfq;fisAk; mopg;gth;fs;. mjdhy; jaf;fk; nfhs;shNj. ,ts; ,g;NghJ fz;fSf;Fj; njd;gLfpwhs;. mts; kha cUntLj;jhy; fz;Zf;Fg; Gydhf khl;lhs;. mjdhy; fUiz fhl;lhJ mk;ik tpL” vd;whh;.

mijf; Nfl;l ,uhkd; mtspd; fz;fSf;Fj; Njhd;whjgb epd;W nfhz;L jhlifapd; ml;lfhrj;jhy; vOe;j xypia Nehf;fp mk;Gfis Vtpdhd;. mit jhlifiar; Rw;wp Ntyp Nghy mike;jd. mjdhy; jhlif mira KbahJ. Nfhgj;Jld; fj;jpdhs;. gpd; mk;G Ntypiaj; jfh;j;Jf; nfhz;L MNtrj;Jld; ,uhkid Nehf;fp Xb te;jhs;.

“,uhkh> mtisf; nfhy;. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; mts; cd;idAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; nfhd;W tpLths;” vd;W $w ,uhkd; Xh; mk;ig vLj;Jj; jhlifia Nehf;fp tpl;lhd;. mJ Neuhfr; nrd;W jhlifapd; khh;gpy; gjpa> mtsJ khh;gpy; ,Ue;J ,uj;jk; MW Nghyg; gha;e;jJ. mjdhy; jhlif epyj;jpy; tpOe;jhs;.

kfpo;;e;j tpRthkpj;jpuh;

jhlif epyj;jpy; tpOe;J Jb Jbj;J khz;lJk; mtSld; te;j muf;fh; $l;lk; mywpabj;jgb Xbj;jg;gpaJ. jhlif kiy Nghyr; rhpe;J fple;jijf; fz;L kfpo;e;j tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkdpd; mUNf te;J mtidf; fl;bj; jOtpdhh;.

“,uhkh> kpf;f kfpo;r;rpahf ,Uf;fpwJ. vdJ neL ehisa ftiy jPh;e;jJ. eP tskhf tho;tha;” vd;W MrPh;tjpj;J tpl;Lj;jhd; fw;w midj;j tpj;ijfisAk; ,uhkDf;Fr; nrhy;ypf; nfhLj;jhh;.

“,uhkh> eP khtPud;. ,dp cd;id ve;j xU murdhNyh> muf;fuhNyh nfhy;y KbahJ. mj;Jld; Njth;fshYk; nty;yg;gl Kbahjtd; eP. ehd; nrhy;ypj; je;j ke;jpuq;fs; ve;j vjphpiaAk; nfhy;Yk; rf;jp tha;e;jit. tPuNd> gy;NtW rf;jpfis cila jz;l rflk; vd;w MAjj;ijAk; jh;krflk;> fhyrflk;> tp~;Z rflk; vd;w gilf;fyd;fisAk; cdf;Fj; jUfpNwd;. ,tw;iwAk; mopf;f ahuhYk; KbahJ. mj;Jld; Nkhjfp> rpfhp vd;Dk; ,uz;L fjhAjq;fisAk; cdf;Ff; nfhLf;fpNwd;. mj;Jld; mwr; rq;fpyp> fhyr; rq;fpyp> Kfpw; rq;fpypg; gilfisAk; jUfpNwd;. mRuh;fis mopg;gjw;fhff; fq;fhyk;> fhghyk;> fq;fzk; vd;w Kr;R+yq;fisAk; jUfpNwd;. jh;g;gzk;> Nrhldk;> re;jhgdk;> tpyhgdk; vd;Dk; gilfisAk; fUNts; vd;w fizfisAk;> Nkhfd m];jpuj;ijAk; nfhLf;fpNwd;. ,it cd;id vt;NtisapYk; ghJfhf;Fk;. ,tw;iw VT Kd; nrhy;y Ntz;ba ke;jpuq;fisAk; cdf;F cgNjrpf;fpNwd;” vd;whh;.

mtw;iwf; Nfl;L kfpo;e;j ,uhkd; tpRthkpj;jpudpd; ghjq;fisg; gzpe;J mtw;iwg; ngw;Wf; nfhz;lhd;. mg;NghJ ke;jpu Njtijfs; thdpy; ,Ue;J fPNo ,wq;fp te;J>“ehk; ,dpNky; jq;fspd; fl;lisg;gb ,uhkDf;F vg;nghOJk; Jizahf ,Ug;Nghk;” vd;wd.

“,uhkd; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; Njtijfisg; ghh;j;jhd;. mtw;wpd; cly;fs; nghd;idg; Nghyg; gsgsj;jd. mtw;iwg; ghh;j;J kfpo;e;j ,uhkd;>“kpf;f ed;wp. ,g;NghJ nry;Yq;fs;. NjitNaw;gLk; NghJ miof;fpNwd;” vd;whd;. mj;Njtijfs; thdpy; nrd;W kiwe;jd.

10

tpRthkpj;jpuhpd; ahfk;

mjd; gpd; tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; Xh; Mr;rpukj;jpw;F mioj;Jr; nrd;whh;.

“,uhkh> jpUkhy; thkdd; Ntle;jhq;fp khgypr;rf;futh;j;jpaplk; %d;W mb kz; Nfl;L mtd; nfhLf;f mz;lk; KOtijAk; ,Umbahy; mse;j gpd; %d;whtJ mbia itf;f ,lkpy;yhjjhy; mtdJ jiy kPJ itj;J mtid mopj;j gpd; ,t; Mr;rpukj;jpy; jhd; jq;fpapUe;jhh;. ,jd; ngah; rpj;jhr; rpukk;. mjdhy; ehDk; me;jg; gfthid tzq;fpagb ,e;j Mr;rpukj;jpy; jq;fpj; jtk; nra;J tUfpNwd;” vd;whh;.

“,uhkh> ehd; ,e;j Mr;rpukj;jpy; jq;fpapUe;J nra;J tUk; ahfj;ij mopg;gjw;fhf mRuh;fs; gy jlitfs; ,q;F te;J ahfrhiyia mopj;Js;sdh;. ,g;NghJ ehd; ahfk; nra;aj; njhlq;fg;NghfpNwd;. mij mopf;f mRuh;fs; tUthh;fs;. mg;NghJ eP mth;fis mopj;jy; Ntz;Lk;. ,e;j Mr;rpukk; vdf;F vg;gbahdNjh mJ Nghy cdf;Fk; Kf;fpakhdjhFk;” vd;W kfpo;Tld; $wptpl;L Mr;rpukj;Jf;Fs; %tUk; nrd;wdh;. mq;fpUe;j Kdpth;fs; mth;fis tuNtw;W tzq;fpdh;.

mjd; gpd; tpRthkpj;jpuh; ahfj;ijj; njhlq;fpdhh;. “Rthkp> muf;fh;fshy; ve;j ,ila+Wk; tuhky; fhg;Ngd;. mjw;Fj; jhq;fs; je;j gilf;fyq;fs; cjtpahf ,Uf;Fk;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

tpRthkpj;jpuh; ek;gpf;ifAld; ahfj;ijj; njhlu;e;J elj;jpdhh;. MW ehl;fs; fope;jd. ve;jtpjkhd ,ila+WfSkpd;wp ahfk; eilngw;wJ. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; ,uT gfyhff; fz; tpopj;Jf; fhty; nra;jdh;. MwhtJ jpdk;

11

ahfj;jpd; ,Wjp ehs;. “,yl;Rkzh> MW ehl;fSk; kpf;f mtjhdj;Jld; fhty; fhj;Njhk;. ,d;W ahfk; epiwT ngWk; ehs; vd;gJ mRuh;fSf;Fj; njhpAk;. mjdhy; mijf; Fog;gKw;gLth;” vd;W ,uhkd; $wpf;nfhz;bUe;j NghJ jpBnud;W Nts;tp Nkil jPg;gw;wp vhpe;jJ. mijf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh;>“,uhkh> mRuh;fs; te;J tpl;ldh;. mth;fs; kha cLf;nfhz;L ahfj;ij mopf;f Kw;gLthh;fs;. mjw;Nfw;w tifapy; jhf;Fjiy Nkw;nfhs;Sq;fs;” vd;whh;.

khhPrDk; RghFTk; thdpy; epd;W khaq;fs; gytw;iwAk; nra;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;. thdk; ,Uz;lJ. ngUkio nghope;jJ. Nghy ngU nts;sk; ahfrhiyia Nehf;fp tpiue;J te;jJ. mRuh;fs; gykhff; fj;jpagb ahfrhiyia Nehf;fp Xb te;jdh;. te;j muf;fh;fs; ahfrhiyf;Fs; ,uj;j nts;sk; XLk; gb nra;jdh;. Gdpjkhd ahfrhiy ,uj;j nts;sj;jhy; Njha;e;jJ. thdpy; ,Ue;J ,uj;j nts;sj;ijg; ngUfr; nra;j mRuid ,uhkd; fz;lhd;. mg;NghJ khhPrDk; RghFTk; ahfrhiyia Nehf;fp Xb te;jdh;. mijf; fz;l ,uhkd; khdg; gilf; fUtpia vLj;J khhPrdpd; kPJ Vtpdhd;. mJ fhw;W Nkfq;fisf; fiyg;gJ Nghyg; gwe;J nrd;W khhPrdpd; khh;gpy; Jisj;J mtidj; J}f;fpr; nrd;W J}uvwpe;jJ. ,Ue;j NghJk; mtdJ jttypikahy; khhPrd; ,wf;ftpy;iy. mjdhy; Nfhgq;nfhz;l ,uhkd; gyk; tha;e;j Mf;Nfa mj;jpuj;ij vLj;Jr; RghFit Nehf;fp tpl;lhd;. mJ RghFtpd; neQ;irg; gpse;jJ. mijf; fz;l muf;fh; $l;lk; jg;gpdhy; NghJk; vd;W jiynjwpf;f XbaJ. ve;jtpjkhd ,ila+WfSkpd;wp ahfk; ,dpJ epiwTngw;wJ. mijf; fz;L kfpo;e;j Njth;fs; thdpy; epd;W g+kio nghope;jdh;.

ahfk; tpUk;gpathW Kbe;jijf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkdpd; mUfpy; te;J>“,uhkh> ePAk; cdJ jk;gp ,yl;RkzdJk; ngUk; tPuj;jhy; ahfk; ey;ygb Kbe;jJ. ehd; vjph;ghh;j;j gaid mile;jjhy; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; ,Uf;fpNwd;. eP vjph;fhyj;jpy; jPikfis mopj;J ed;ikfs; cz;lhfr; nra;. vd;Wk; vdJ Mrp cdf;Fz;L” vd;W tho;j;jpdhh;. ahfk; nra;j Kdpth;fs; midtUk; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; ghuhl;b tho;j;jp Mrp toq;fpdh;.

kpjpiyg; gazk;

ahfk; nra;atplhky; njhy;iyfs; gyTk; nfhLj;J te;J mRuh;fs; mopj;jikahy; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; ,Ue;jhh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; me;ejpapd; mofpy; nka;kwe;J uj;jdh;. mg;NghJ xU J}Jtd; te;J tpRthkpj;jpuhplk; Xh; Xiyiaf; nfhLj;jhd;. mt;Nthiy kpjpyhGhp kd;dd; IdfdplkpUe;J te;jpUe;jJ. mjpy;>“vdJ kfs; rPijf;Fj; jpUkzk; nra;a vz;zpAs;Nsd;. mjw;Fj; jhq;fs; Nehpy; te;J tho;j;j Ntz;Lk;” vd;wpUe;jJ.

mt;Nthiyiag; gbj;j tpRthkpj;jpuh; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; mioj;Jf; nfhz;L kpjpiyf;Fg; Gwg;gl;lhh;.

mth;fs; nry;Yk; topapy; MWfs;> tha;f;fhy;fs;> fw;ghiwfs;> mlh;e;j fhLfs; njd;gl;ld. mtw;iw kpfTk; rpukj;Jld; fle;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;. mg;gbr; nry;Yk; topapy; xU fw;ghh; jilahf ,Ue;jJ. mjd; Nky; Vwpf;flf;f ,uhkd; jdJ fhiy itj;jJk; mf;fw;ghiw Xh; mofpa ngz;zhf khwpaJ. mg;ngz; ,uhkdJ ghjq;fisg; gw;wpdhs;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; mjph;r;rpapy; ciwe;jdh;.

me;j epfo;itf; fz;l tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkDf;Fr; nrhd;dhh;> “,e;jg; ngz;zpd; ngah; mfypif. Njth; cyfpy; thOk; nfsjk Kdpthpd; gphpagj;jpdp. ,ts;; kpfTk; mofhdts;. mtisg; Nghy xU Nguofp cyfpy; ,y;iy. mtspd; kPJ ,r;ir nfhz;l ,e;jpud;> es;spuT Neuk; te;J Nrty; Nghyf; $t nfsjk Kdpth; tpbe;J tpl;lnjd;W epidj;J ePuhlf; Fsj;jpw;Fr; nrd;whh;. mg;NghJ nfsjk Kdpthpd; cUtpy; te;j ,e;jpud; mfypifAld; $bapUe;jhd;. Fsf;fiuf;Fr; nrd;w nfsjk Kdpth; Fsj;ijg; ghh;j;jJk; ,d;Dk; nghOJ tpbatpy;iy. VNjh R+o;r;rp elf;fpwJ vd;W epidj;Jj; jdJ gd;drhiyf;Fj; jpUk;gpaNghJ ,e;jpudJ nray;

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mk;gykhdJ. mjdhy; Nfhgk; nfhz;l nfsjk Kdpth; jdJ kidtpahd mfypifiaf; fy;yhf khWk;gb rgpj;jhh;. fy;yhf khwp ,Ue;j mfypif cdJ Gdpjkhd ghjk; gl;lJk; rhg ePf;fk; mile;jhs;” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

“rhg ePf;fk; ngw;w mfypif %tiuAk; tzq;fp tpil ngw;Wj; Njt cyfk; nrd;whs;.

“gpd;dh; %tUk; kpjpiyia Nehf;fpr; nrd;wdh;. NghFk; NghJ ,uhkd; tpRthkpj;jpuhplk; Nfl;lhd;>“NjthPh;> ehk; mNahj;jpf;Fr; nry;yhJ Vd; kpjpiyf;Fr; nry;fpNwhk;. jaT nra;J mijr; nrhy;Yq;fs;” vd;whd;.

“,uhkh> kpjpyhGhpapd; murd; [dfd;. mtDf;Fr; rPij vd;nwhU kfs; ,Uf;fpwhs;. mts; Nguofp. ey;y Fztjp. mtSf;F moFk; Mz;ikAk; epiwe;j khtPud; xUtid kzhsdhfj; Njh;e;njLf;fTs;shh;. mth; jDh; ahfk; vd;nwhU ahfj;ijr; nra;fpwhh; ahf Kbtpy; jdJ kfisj; jpUkzk; nra;aTs;stidj; Njh;e;njLg;gjw;fhf xU Nghl;b itf;fpwhh;. mthplk; ‘rptjDR’ vd;nwhU gykpf;f tpy; cz;L. mt;tpy;iy tisj;J xbj;jy; Ntz;Lk;. mt;tpy;iy xbg;gtDf;Nf jdJ kfshd rPijiaj; jpUkzk; nra;J itg;Ngd; vd;W $Wfpwhh;. mt;itgtj;jpy; fye;J nfhs;sNt ehk; nry;fpNwhk;” vd;whh; tpRthkpj;jpuh;.

,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; tpRthkpj;jpuUk; [dfdpd; muz;kidia mile;jdh;. Kdpthpd; tUifia mwpe;j [dfd; XNlhb te;J tpRthkpj;jpuiu tzq;fp tuNtw;wdh;. tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; [dfDf;F tpRthkpj;jpuh; mwpKfk; nra;J itj;jhh;.

ahf kz;lgj;Js; gy;NtW ehLfspd; murh;fSk; gpujhdpfSk; Kdpth;fSk; ,Ue;jdh;. ahf kz;lgk; ,e;jpuNyhfk; Nghy myq;fhpf;fg;gl;bUe;jJ. kz;lgj;jpd; eLNt tpy;Y itf;fg;gl;bUe;jJ. me;j ehl;bd; kd;ddhd [dfd; mq;F te;J nrhd;dhd;>“rigNahh;fNs> rptjDR vd;W $wg;gLk; ,e;j tpy; kpfTk; typik cilaJ. ,jidj; J}f;fp epWj;jp tisj;J ehNdw;WgtDf;Fj; jhd; vdJ kfshd rPijia kzk; Kbj;J itg;Ngd;. murh;fs; te;J Kad;W ghh;f;fyhk;” vd;W $wptpl;L [dfd; jdJ rpk;khrdj;jpy; mkh;e;jhd;.

tpy;ypd; ePs mfyj;ijg; ghh;j;j gy murh;fs; jpifj;Jg; Nghdhh;fs;. rpyh; tpy;iy te;J ghh;j;J tpl;Lr; nrd;wdh;. rpyh; te;J J}f;fpdh;. mth;fshy; mijj; J}f;f Kbatpy;iy. rpyh; vLj;J ehz; njhLf;f Kad;wdh;. Nghl;bf;F te;jpUe;j vtuhYk; tpy;iyj; J}f;ff; $l Kbatpy;iy. mjdhy; kd;ddhd [dfd; kpf;f Jaukile;jhd;.

mg;NghJ tpRthkpj;jpuh; ,uhkidg; ghh;j;Jr; nrhd;dhh;>“kfNd> tpy;iy vLj;J ehizg; g+l;b ,yf;if va;J tpOj;J” vd;whh;.

,uhkd; tpRthkpj;jpuiu tzq;fpdhd;. gpd; rigNahiu tzq;fpdhd;. mjd; gpd; rptjDR vd;w tpy;iyj; njhl;L tzq;fpdhd;. mjd; gpd; tpy;iy kpfTk; ,yFthfj; J}f;fp epWj;jp ehizg; g+l;b ,Oj;jhd;. ngUk; rj;jj;Jld; tpy; Kwpe;J ,uz;lhf epyj;jpy; tpOe;jJ. mijf; fz;l rigNahh; jpifj;Jg; Nghdhh;fs;. vy;yh murh;fshYk; J}f;f KbahjpUe;j me;j tpy;iy ,uhkd; vLj;J cilj;jJ mth;fSf;F Mr;rhpaj;ijf; nfhLj;jJ.

[dfkfhuhrh kpf;f kfpo;Tld; vOe;J cg;ghpiff;Fr; nrd;W NjhopfSld; ,Ue;j rPijia mioj;J te;jhh;. mts; ,uhkdJ Kfj;ijg; ghuhJ epyj;ijg; ghh;j;j gb epd;whs;. mtsJ Kfk; ehzj;jhy; rpte;jpUe;jJ.

“,uhkh> ,ts; vdJ jtg;Gjy;tp rPij. Nghl;bapy; ntd;w cdf;Nf ,ts; cLj;Jilats;. cdJ Fyg;ngUikia ehd; mwpNtd;. ngUik kpf;f cah;e;j gz;Gfis cila cd;idf; fztdhf mila mts; nfhLj;J itj;jpUj;jy; Ntz;Lk;. cdJ je;ijahd jrujr; rd;duth;j;jpf;F ehd; nra;jp mDg;GfpNwd;.

13

cah;e;j gz;ghLfis cila cdJ Fyg;ngUikia vdJ kfs; fhg;ghw;Wths;” vd;W kfpo;Tld; [dfd; $wpdhd;.

[dfd; mDg;gpa nra;jpia mwpe;J kl;by;yhj kfpo;r;rpaile;j jrujd; jdJ Vida Gj;jpuh;fSf;Fk; ngz; Njb ,uhkdJ Rak;guehsd;W mth;fSf;Fk; jpUkzk; nra;J itf;fj; jPh;khdpj;jhd;.

mLj;J te;j Rgjpdj;jpy; ,uhkd; rPijiaj; jpUkzk; nra;jhd;. ,yl;Rkzd; Ch;kpshitj; jpUkzk; nra;jhd;. gujd; khz;ltpiaAk;> rj;JUf;fd; RUjfPh;j;jpiaAk; jpUkzk; nra;jdh;.

rpy ehl;fs; kpjpiyapy; jq;fpapUe;j ,uhkDk; rPijAk; Rgehspy; mNahj;jpf;F te;jdh;. mth;fs; mNahj;jpf;Fj; jpUk;gpf; nfhz;bUe;j NghJ topapy; guRuhkiur; re;jpj;jdh;.

guRuhkiuf; fz;lJk; jrujDf;F kdjpy; mr;rk; Njhd;wpaJ. mtuhy; ,uhkDf;F VjhtJ Mgj;J NeUNkh vdg; gae;jhh;.

guRuhkh; jtk; nra;J gy mhpa tuq;fisr; rptngUkhdplk; ngw;wth;. kpFe;j gyrhyp. vt;NtisapYk; Nfhlhpiaf; ifapy; itj;jpUg;gth;. mtiuf; fz;lJk; gifth;fs; eLeLq;Fth;. murh;fs; mtiu tzq;fp mtUf;F Ntz;batw;iwr;

nra;th;. mth; fhuzkpd;wp ahiuAk; re;jpf;fkhl;lhh;. mth; te;jJ VNjh xU mrhjhuz epfo;ntd;W jrujd; gae;jhd;.

guRuhkh; jrujidf; ftdpf;fhJ ,uhkdplQ; nrd;W>“,uhkh> kpjpiy murdpd; kz;lgj;jpy; typik kpf;f rptjDR vd;w tpy;iy vLj;J xbj;jjhff; Nfs;tpg;gl;Nld;. vd;dplk; ‘tp~;Z jDR’ vd;w gyk; kpf;f tpy; cs;sJ. cd;dhy; mij tisj;J ehNdw;w KbAkh? Kbe;jhy; nra;J fhl;L. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; eP vd;Dld; Nghhpl Ntz;Lk;. kWj;jhy; cd;idAk; cd;Dld; $l te;jth;fisAk; mopj;J tpLNtd;. Kbe;jhy; tpy;iy vLj;J ehNdw;W. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; vd;Dld; NghhpL” vd;W fh;r;rpj;jhh; guRuhkh;.

mtuJ nrhw;fisf; Nfl;Lj; jrujd; gae;J eLeLq;fpdhd;. guRuhkid nty;y KbahJ. mtd; khtPud;. mj;Jld; gy tuq;fisgg; ngw;wtd;. ,uhkDld; $l te;jth;fs; gaj;jhy; eLeLq;fpdh;.

jrujd; guRuhkdpd; ghjq;fisg; gzpe;J>“kfh QhdpNa> ,uhkd; rpWtd;. gykpy;yhjtd;. mtid vJTk; nra;J tplhjPh;fs;” vd;W nfQ;rpdhd;.

guRuhkd; jrujid xU nghUl;lhf kjpf;ftpy;iy. mtd; ,uhkDf;FnfjpNu te;jhd;. ,uhkd; Njiu tpl;L ,wq;fpg; guRuhkhpd; ghjq;fisg; gzpe;jhd;. guRuhkdpd; kpul;lYf;F mtd; mQ;rtpy;iy.“KdptNu> jq;fis tzq;fp Mrpngw Ntz;Lk; vd;W neLehshf epidj;jpUe;Njd;. ,d;W vjph;ghuhjthW jq;fspd; jhprdk;

14

fpilj;jjhy; kpf;f kfpo;tile;Njd;. vq;Nf cq;fsJ tpy; mijf; fhl;Lq;fs;” vd;W Nfl;lhd;.

guRuhkh; tp~;Z jDR vd;w tpy;iy vLj;Jf; nfhLj;jhh;. mijg; Gd;rphpg;Gld; ngw;Wf; nfhz;l ,uhkd; kpfTk; vspjhf mijj; J}f;fp ehiz ,Oj;jhd;. clNd tpy; tise;J ,uz;lhf xbe;jJ. mij epyj;jpy; Nghl;l ,uhkd; guRuhkiu kPz;Lk; tzq;fpdhd;. $l te;jth;fs; kfpo;r;rpahy; Muthuk; nra;jdh;. guRuhkd; ,uhkdpd; mUNf te;J> “eP cz;ikahd tPud;. ngUk;gyrhyp vd;gij xg;Gf; nfhs;fpNwd;. cd; vjph;fhyk; rpwf;f vdJ tho;j;Jf;fs;” vdf; $wp kiwe;jhh;.

kpFe;j gaj;Jld; eLq;fpf; nfhz;bUe;j jrujd; guRuhkd; nrd;wJk; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; te;J ,uhkidg; ghuhl;bdhd;.

$dpapd; R+o;r;rp

mNahj;jpf;F te;j ,uhkidAk; rPijAk; muz;kidapy; Kdpth;fSk; me;jzh;fSk; mwpQh;fSk; kf;fSk; kpfTk; kfpo;e;J tuNtw;wdh;. efu tPjpfs; ahTk; myq;fhpf;fg;gl;ld. tPjpf;F tPjp myq;fhu tisTfSk; kfu Njhuzq;fSk; fl;lg;gl;bUe;jd. kf;fs; kfpo;Tld; Mbg;ghbj; jkJ kfpo;r;rpia ntspg;gLj;jpdh;.

jrujd; jdJ KJikia epidj;J ,uhkDf;Fg; gl;lhgpNrfk; nra;a tpUk;gpdhd;. nghpath;fSk; mwpQh;fSk; ke;jphp gpujhdpfSk; me;jzh;fSk; Kdpth;fSk; ,uhkDf;F KbR+l;b itf;Fk; gb jrujid Ntz;bdh;. jrujd; mjw;F xg;Gf;nfhz;L KbR+l;L tpohTf;fhd Vw;ghLfisr; nra;AkhW ke;jphpkhh;fSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;lhd;.

KbR+l;L tpohTf;fhd Vw;ghLfs; ngUk; vLg;gpy; eilngw;wd. ehLKOtJk; kfpo;r;rpapy; FJ}fypj;jJ. may; ehl;lurh;fSk; gpujhdpfSk; Kdpth;fSk; mij mwpe;J kpf;f kfpo;r;rpaile;jdh;.

,uhkDf;F KbR+l;lg;gLtij mwpe;j ke;jiu vd;w $dp kpFe;j Nfhgj;Jld; ifNfaplk; te;jhs;. mts; jhd; ifNfapd; tsh;g;Gj; jha;. mts; ve;NeuKk; ifNffpAld; ,Ue;J mtis trpag;gLj;jp itj;jpUe;jhs;. $dpapd; nrhy;iyf; ifNffp jl;lkhl;lhs;.

VjhtJ R+o;r;rp nra;J ,uhkd; murdhtijj; jLf;f Ntz;Lk; vd;gNj $dpapd; vz;zkhFk;. jrujd; ifNffp kPJ kpFe;j md;G nfhz;ltd;. mtisf; NfshJ mur tplaq;fs; vijAk; nra;akhl;lhd;. ,J $dpf;Fj; njhpAk;. mjdhy; mts; ek;gpf;ifNahL ifNffpapd; miwf;Fr; nrd;whs;. ifNffp jdJ kfd; gujid tpl ,uhkdpd; kPJ Ngud;G nfhz;lts;.

$dp ifNffpaplk; te;J>“,uhkDf;F KbR+l;lg; Nghfpwhh;fshk;. efuNk tpohf;Nfhyk; g+z;Ls;sJ” vd;W $wpdhs;.

mijf; Nfl;l ifNffp kpFe;j kfpo;Tld;> “mg;gbah ,uhkd; KbR+l;lg;gLtJ jhd; epahak;. ey;y KbT. ehd; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; ,Uf;fpNwd;” vd;W $wpj; jhd; mwpe;jpUe;j ngWkjpahd Kj;J khiyiar; fow;wpf; $dpapd; fOj;jpy; mzptpj;jhs;.

$dp mk;khiyiaf; fow;wp jiuapy; tPrpdhs;. khiy mWe;J mjpy; gjpf;fg;gl;bUe;j Kj;Jf;fs; jiuapy; rpjwpd.

ifNffp Nfhgj;Jld; $dpiag; ghu;j;jhs;. mtSf;F Mj;jpukhf ,Ue;jJ. mijf; ftdpf;fhJ $dp nrhd;dhs;> “Kl;lhs;g; ngz;Nz> cd;dplj;jpy; mjpf md;G cs;std; Nghy ebj;J cdJ fztdhd jruj kd;dd; cd;id ed;whf Vkhw;wp tpl;lhh;. mijawpahj eP kfpo;Tld; vdf;F Kj;J khiyiag; ghprspf;fpwha;. cdJ

15

kfdhd gujd; kPJ ngUk; kjpg;Gk; md;Gk; nfhz;lts; ehd; vd;W cdf;Fj; njhpAk;. mjdhy; gujDf;Ff; NfLtu ehd; tplkhl;Nld;. vdJ capiuf; nfhLj;jhtJ jLj;J epWj;JNtd;” vd;W nfhjpj;jhs; $dp.

“tPz;fijiaf; fijf;fhNj. ,uhkd; vdJ %j;j kfd;. mtd; kPJ ehd; ngUk; md;ig itj;jpUf;fpd;Nwd;. mtd; jhd; %j;jtd;. %j;jtd; ,Uf;f ,isatDf;F vg;gb KbR+l;LtJ? mij ehl;by; cs;s nghpath;fSk; murUk; tpUk;gkhl;lhh;fs;. mJ jhd; mur kuG” vd;whs; ifNffp.

mijf; Nfl;l $dpapd; Nfhgk; mjpfhpj;jJ> “cdf;F ed;ik nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd;gjw;fhfNt ehd; tho;fpNwd;. ,uhkd; KbR+b murdhfp tpl;lhy;> ,e;j ehL KOtJk; mtDf;Fr; nrhe;jkhfp tpLk;. Nfhriyf;F mur me;j];J fpilf;Fk;. mjdhy; mts; cd;id tpl mjpfhuKs;stshf khwptpLths;. mtsJ mDkjpapd;wp ePNah my;yJ cdJ kfdhd gujNdh vJTk; nra;a KbahJ. ,g;Ngh jrujdpd; kidtp eP. gl;lj;J uhzp. gujd; murdpd; kfd;. ,J ,uhkd; KbR+ba gpd;G epiyf;Fkh vd;W Nahrpj;Jg; ghh;. vijAk; Nahrpf;fhJ ,Ue;jhNaahdhy; gpd;G ftiyg;gl Ntz;ba epiy cUthFk;” vd;whs; $dp. mj;Jld; gy kzp Neukhfg; gytw;iw vLj;Jiuj;jhs;. mjdhy; ifNffpapd; kdk; jsh;Tw;wJ. mts; nrhy;tjpYk; cz;ik ,Ug;gjhf epidj;jhs; mjdhy; ,uhkd; kPJk; Nfhriy kPJk; jrujd; kPJk; mtSf;Ff; NfhgKk; ntWg;Gk; te;jJ.

“eP nrhy;tJ rhp jhd;. ,uhkDf;F KbR+l;Ltjhfj; jPh;khdpj;J mjw;fhd nraw;ghLfs; jPtpukhf eilngWfpd;wd. ,e;epiyapy; mij vg;gbj; jLj;J epWj;JtJ” vd;W Nfl;lhs; ifNffp.

“,uhkDf;F KbR+l;l eP rk;kjpf;ff; $lhJ. gujDf;F KbR+l;lg;gly; Ntz;Lk;. ,uhkd; fhl;bw;Fr; nry;yy; Ntz;Lk;” vd;whs; $dp.

“,J elf;ff; $ba tplakh?” Vkhw;wj;Jld; Nfl;lhs; ifNffp.

“,uT cd;NdhL KbR+l;L tpohitg; gw;wpf; fye;Jiuahl murh; tUthh;. mg;NghJ ,uz;L tuq;fisf; Nfs;” vd;whs; $dp.

“,uz;L tuq;fsh?” mjprag;gl;lhs; ifNffp.

“Kd;G xUKiw Njth;fSf;fhf mRuh;fSld; jrujd; Nghh; nra;j NghJ eP jrujDf;F cjtp nra;jha;. mjdhy; kfpo;e;j jrujd; cdf;F ,uz;L tuq;fs; jUtjhf xg;Gf;nfhz;lhh;. eP clNd tuq;fisf; NfshJ rkak; tUk; NghJ Nfl;fpNwd; vd;wha;. ,g;Ngh mjw;fhd Ntis te;Js;sJ. jaq;fhky; Nfs;” vd;whs; $dp.

$dp $wpagb ,uT jrujd; te;jJk; Nfl;gnjd;W KbTf;F te;jhs; ifNffp.

,uT Ntis te;jJ. jrujd; KbR+l;L tpohTf;Fj; Njitahdtw;iwr; nra;J tpl;L mijf; ifNffpaplk; $Wtjw;fhf te;jhd;.

,uT Ntisapy; jd;id ed;whf myq;fhpj;J kfpo;Tld; fztid tuNtw;Fk; ifNffp md;W myq;fhuk; vJTk; nra;ahJ gLj;jpUe;jhs;. mtspd; mq;fq;fspy; ve;j Mguzq;fSk; ,Uf;ftpy;iy. Mguzq;fs; jiuapy; rpjwpf; fple;jd. jiy fiye;jpUe;jJ. Kfk; tPq;fpf; fWj;jpUe;jJ.

ifNffpapd; me;jg;Guk; ,Ul;lhf ,Ue;jJ. mjdhy; fytug;gl;l jrujd; “ifNffp” vd;W mioj;jhd;. gjpy; ,y;iy> mjdhy; kPz;Lk;>‘ifNffp’ vd;W mioj;jhd;. gjpy; nrhy;yhJ ifNffp tpf;fp tpRk;gp mOjhs;.

jrujd; mtspd; mUNf nrd;W>“ifNffp> ,d;W cdf;F vd;d ele;jJ? Vd; mOfpwha;? nrhy; nrhy;” vd;W mtrug;gl;lhd;. mtdpd; Fuypy; gjl;lKk; ftiyAk; njhpe;jJ.

16

ifNffp VNjh elf;ff; $lhjJ ele;J tpl;lijg; Nghy tpk;kp tpk;kp mOjhs;. gpd;>“cq;fSf;F vd; kPJ cz;ikahd md;gpUe;jhy; vd;idf; NfshJ vg;gb ,uhkDf;F KbR+l;lj; jPh;khdpg;gPh;fs;” vd;whs; Nfhgj;Jld;.

“X mJth. gpio jhd;. mjw;fhfth mOfpwha;?” vd;W ghrj;Jld; Nfl;lhd; jrujd;.

mjw;fhfj; jhd; mOfpNwd;. rpy tUlq;fSf;F Kd;G vdf;F ,uz;L tuq;fs; jUtjhf thf;Fj; je;jPh;fs;”

“Xk; epidtpUf;fpwJ. ,g;NghJ Ntz;LkhdhYk; Nfs; jUfpNwd;” vd;whd; jrujd;.

“,g;NghJ jUtPh;fsh? vijf; Nfl;lhYk; jUtPh;fsh? gpd;G Ngr;Rkhwf; $lhJ” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“vdJ tk;rNk Ngr;R khWtjpy;iy vd;W cdf;Fj; njhpAk;. gpwNfd; re;Njfg;gLfpwha;. clNd Nfs;” vd;whd; jrujd;.

“vdf;Fj; njhpAk; ePq;fs; rj;jpak; jtwhjth; vd;W. ,uz;L tuq;fspy; xd;W vdJ kfd; ehlhs Ntz;Lk;. mNj rkak; ,uhkd; gjpdhd;F Mz;Lfs; tdthrk; nry;y Ntz;Lk;”

mijf; Nfl;Lj; jrujd; jpifj;Jj; jpfpyile;J Nghdhd;. ,bnahd;W fhJ topahf neQ;Rs; ,wq;fpaijg; Nghy ,Ue;jJ.

“ifNffp ePah ,g;gbg; NgRfpwha;? ,uhkd; jhd; vdJ %j;j kfd;. gujdpy; ghu;f;f ,uhkd; kPJ jhd; mjpf ghrk; itj;Js;Nsd; vd;W mbf;fb nrhy;thNa mJ ebg;gh?” ftiyahy; Ngr KbahJ jtpj;jhd; jrujd;.

“vdf;F ehd; Nfl;l ,uz;L tuq;fisAk; jUfpwPh;fsh ,y;iyah? jutpUg;gkpy;yhtpl;lhy; nrhy;Yq;fs;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“ehd; ,y;iy vd;W nrhy;ytpy;iy. ,uhkd; gw;ww;wtd;. mtNd gujDf;F KbR+l;b itg;ghd;. Mdhy; vd; capuhd ,uhkidf; fhl;Lf;F mDg;ghNj. mtidg; gphpe;J xU fzk; $l ehd; caph; tho khl;Nld;. jaT nra;J ,uhkidf; fhl;Lf;F nry;yr; nrhy;yhNj” ,ue;jhd; jrujd;.

ifNffpapd; kdk; cWjpaile;jJ. vJ ele;jhYk; tpl;Lf; nfhLf;ff; $lhJ vd;W epidj;jhs;.

“,uhkh.. ,uhkh.. vd; capNu cd;idg; gphpe;jhy; ehd; caph; thokhl;Nld;. flTNs ifNffp ,uf;fg;glkhl;lhsh?” vd;W jLkhwpagb epyj;jpy; rha;e;jhd; jrujd;. jrujdJ nfQ;ry;> kd;whl;lk;> mOif vJTk; ifNffpapd; kdij ,sfg; gz;ztpy;iy. mts; jdJ nfhs;ifapy; cWjpahf ,Ue;jhs;.

gl;lhgpNrfj;jpw;fhd Maj;jk;

gl;lhgpNrfk; eilngWtjw;fhd Maj;jq;fis ke;jphp Rke;jpuDk; trpl;l KdptUk; nra;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;. may; ehl;lurh;fSk; ke;jphp gpujhdpfSk; Kdpth;fSk; kf;fSk; tuj; njhlq;fpdh;.

,uhkd; kq;fy ePuhbdhd;. gpd; Mil mzpfis mzpe;J nfhz;L jhahd Nfhriyaplk; te;J tzq;fp Mrp ngw;whd;. gpd; je;ijapd; miog;ig vjph;ghh;j;Jf; fhj;jpUe;jhd;.

17

jrujd; ifNffpapd; me;jg;Gwg; gLf;if miwapd; jiuapy; Raepidtpd;wpf; fple;jhd;. ifNffp muz;kid itj;jpaUf;Ff; $l mijr; nrhy;ytpy;iy. jrujd; ,uhkd; kPJ mjpf ghrk; nfhz;ltd;. mjdhy; kaf;fk; jPh;e;J vOe;jhy; ,uhkidf; fhl;Lf;Fr; nry;y mDkjpf;f khl;lhd; vd;W ifNffp epidj;jhs;. mjdhy; ke;jphpahd Rke;jpuiu mioj;jhs;.

“ke;jphpahNu> Kd;G kd;dh; vdf;Fj; jUtjhff; $wpa tuq;fs; ,uz;ilAk; Nfl;Nld;. mjdhy; mth; mjph;r;rpaile;J kaq;fptpl;lhh;. Mtd nra;Aq;fs;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

ke;jphp Rke;jpuh; kpFe;j tUj;jk; nfhz;lhh;. tuq;fisf; NfSq;fs;. gujd; ehl;il Msl;Lk;. mjw;fhf ,uhkd; fhl;Lf;F Vd; nry;y Ntz;Lk;? ,uhkd; fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;why; kd;dhpd; caph; gphpe;J tpLk;. mijf; ftdj;jpy; nfhs;Sq;fs;” vd;whh; ke;jphp.

“,J rk;ge;jkhfahhpd; fUj;Jf;fisAk; ehd; Nfl;fkhl;Nld;. ,g;NghJ nrd;W ,uhkid mioj;J thUq;fs;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“rhp kfhuhzp” vd;w Rke;jpuh; ,uhkdplk; nrd;W ifNffp jd;idr; re;jpf;fr; nrhd;d tplaj;ijj; njhptpj;jhh;.

jhd; KbR+l;lg;gLtijf; Nfs;tpg;gl;l rpw;wd;idahfpa ifNffp jd;id Mrph;tjpf;f miof;fpwhs; vd;w kfpo;Tld; ,uhkd; ifNffpapd; me;jg;Guj;jpw;F te;jhd;. mq;F epd;w ifNffpiaf; fz;lJk;>“md;idNa> vd;id MrPh;tjpAq;fs; vd;W mtsJ ghjq;fisj; njhl;L tzq;fpdhd;. jd;id tzq;fp tpl;L kfpo;Tld; epd;w ,uhkidg; ghh;j;jJf; ifNffp nrhd;dhs;>“,uhkh> cdf;Fg; gjpyhf cd; jk;gpf;F KbR+l;l Ntz;Lk;. mj;Jld; eP gjpd;ehd;F tUlk; tdthrk; nry;y Ntz;Lk;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“,J cq;fs; tpUg;gkh?” vd;W Nfl;lhd; ,uhkd;.

“,y;iy kfNd> ,J cd; je;ijapd; tpUg;gk;. ,ij mth; fl;lisahfr; nrhd;dth;. mij Nehpy; cd;dplk; nrhy;yj; jaq;Ffpwhh;. mg;gbr; nrhd;dhy; cdJ jha; Nfhgpg;ghs; vd;Wk; mQ;Rfpwhh;. mjdhy; vd;idr; nrhy;yr; nrhd;dhh;. mjdhy; jhd; nrhy;fpNwd;. vdf;F tpUg;gkpy;iy” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“mg;gbah? kpf;f kfpo;r;rp. ,J je;ijapd; fl;lisahf ,Ue;jhYk; rhp> cq;fsJ tpUg;gkhf ,Ue;jhYk; rhp mij ehd; kdg;g+h;tkhf Vw;Wf;nfhs;fpNwd;. mJ vdJ flikahFk;. vdJ jk;gp gujd; ngUk; tPud;. ehl;il Msf;$ba jFjpAs;std;. mjdhy; ehd; ,g;nghONj Gwg;gLfpNwd;” vd;W nrhy;yp tpl;Lr; nrd;whd; ,uhkd;.

mr;nra;jp fhl;Lj; jPiag; Nghy efunkq;Fk; gutpaJ. gpd; may;ehLfSf;Fk; gutpaJ. ehl;L kf;fspd; kfpo;r;rp mw;Wg; NghdJ. kf;fs; jkJ tPl;ilAk; tPjpfisAk; myq;fhpg;gij epWj;jpdh;. Mly; ghly; ,ir epfo;r;rpfs; ahTk; epWj;jg;gl;ld. kf;fs; kpFe;j Jauj;Jld; elkhbdh;.

ifNffpaplk; tpilngw;w ,uhkd; jhaplk; te;J ele;jtw;iwr; nrhy;yp tzq;fp Mrp ngw;W tpil ngw;whd;. jrujd; ePjpf;Fkhwhff; ifNffpAld; Nrh;e;J jpl;lkpl;Lr; nrayhw;Wfpwhd; vd;W Nfhriy epidj;Jg; ngUe;Jd;gg;gl;lhs;. vy;yhk; $dpapd; rjpnad;Wk; $dpapd; nrhw;gb ifNffp elf;fpwhs; vd;Wk; mts; epidj;jhs;.

jhaplk; tpilngw;w ,uhkd; murh;f;Fhpa cilfisf; fise;J tpl;Lr; rhjhuz FbkfdJ cilfis mzpe;J nfhz;lhd;.

18

,uhkDld; rPijAk; Gwg;gl;lhs;

,uhkdpd; jtf;Nfhyj;ijAk; rhjhuz ciliaAk; fz;l rPijf;Fj; Jf;fk; nghq;fpaJ. murFkhudhd mtid me;jf; Nfhyj;jpy; ghh;j;J mOjhs; rPij.

“ehjh cq;fisg; gphpe;J xU fzk; $l ehd; ,q;F ,Uf;fkhl;Nld;. ePq;fs; ,Uf;Fk; ,lk; jhd; vdf;Fr; nrhh;f;fk;. mjdhy; ehDk; cq;fSld; fhl;Lf;F tUfpNwd;” vd;whs; rPij.

rPij mg;gbr; nrhy;ths; vd;W njhpe;j ,uhkd; nrhd;dhd;> “vdJ gphpakhd kidtpNa> eP mur tk;rj;jpy; gpwe;J rfy nrsghf;fpaq;fSlDk; tsh;e;jts;. fhL fuLKulhdJ. gw;iwfs;> Kl;fs;> nfhba ghk;Gfs;> nfhba kpUfq;fs; epiwe;jJ. mjdhy; eP ngUe;Jd;gg;gLtha;. mj;Jld; muz;kidapy; tho;e;j eP Fbir mikj;J tho KbAkh? gdpAk;> kioAk;> Nfhu ntapYk; tUj;Jk;. Mifahy; muz;kidapNyNa jq;fpapU” vd;whd;.

mtsJ ngw;NwhUk; mijNa nrhd;dhh;fs;. ahh; vijr; nrhy;ypAk; mts; Nfl;ftpy;iy. mts; nrhd;dhs;>“ePq;fs; ,Uf;Fk; ,lk; jhd; vdf;F mNahj;jp. xU ngz; fztidg; gphpe;J tho;tJ nfhLikapYk; nfhLik. muz;kidapy; tho;e;Njhk;. ,dpf;fhl;by; tho;Nthk;. rpy ehl;fs; gofpdhy; mJ tof;fkhfp tpLk;. mjdhy; ehDk; cq;fSld; tUNtd;. jaT nra;J vd;idAk; mioj;Jr; nry;Yq;fs;” vd;whs; rPij.

,uhkDk; rPijAk; fhl;Lf;Fr; nry;yg;NghFk; nra;jpia mwpe;J JbJbj;Jg; Nghdhd; ,yl;Rkzd;. ifNffpiaAk; jrujidAk; fLikahfj; jz;bf;fg;NghfpNwd; vd;W R+Siuj;jhd;.

mijawpe;j ,uhkd; ,yl;Rkzdplk; te;J $wpdhd;>“jk;gp> flTs; xt;nthUtiuAk; xt;nthU fhuzj;jpw;fhfj; jhd; gilj;Js;shh;. mth;fs; fUtpy; ,Uf;Fk; NghNj tpidg;gb mth;fSf;F clYk; flikfSk; toq;fg;gLfpd;wd. mj;Jld; mth;fsJ tho;f;if KiwAk; jPh;khdpf;fg;gl;L tpLfpwJ. vdJ tpjp mJ.

19

mij nty;y KbahJ. vkf;F ghpNrh jz;lidNah NtW vtuhYk; toq;fg;gl khl;lhJ. vkJ tpjpg;gb ahTk; elf;Fk;. ftiyg;glhNj” vd;whd;.

,yl;Rkzd; ,uhkdpd; kPJ mstpy;yhj ghrk; nfhz;ltd;. mz;zd; fhl;by; ngUe;Jd;gg;gl jhd; muz;kidapy; ,d;gkhf tho;tjh vd epidj;Jj; jhDk; mth;fSld; nry;y tpUk;gpdhd;.

,uhkDk; ke;jphpkhUk; Kdpth;fSk; vt;tsNth vLj;Jr; nrhy;ypAk; mtw;iwf; NfshJ jhahd Rkpj;jpiuaplKk; kidtpahd Ch;kpshtplKk; mDkjp ngw;W ,uhkidg; Nghyj; jtf;Nfhyk; g+z;L ,uhkDld; Gwg;gl;lhd; ,yl;Rkzd;.

mth;fs; jtf;Nfhyk; g+z;L tPjptopahff; fhl;Lf;Fr; nry;Yk; NghJ ehl;L kf;fs; fjwp mOjdh;. Mapuf;fzf;fhNdhh; mth;fspd; gpd; nrd;wdh;. gyh; ,uhkdJ fhiyg; gpbj;Jf; nfhz;L fhl;bw;Fr; nry;y Ntz;lhnkd;W kd;whbdh;.

mNahj;jp efu kf;fs; jd; kPJ nfhz;l md;ig epidj;J nefpo;e;J Nghdhd; ,uhkd;. mg;NghJ mtDf;Ff; ftiy cz;lhdJ. mijr; rpukg;gl;L mlf;fpdhd;.

“vd; mUik kf;fhs;> ePq;fs; vd;kPJ itj;j md;ig epidf;f vdf;Fg; ngUikahf cs;sJ. cq;fis tpl;Lg; gphptJ vdf;F Ntjidiaj; jUfpwJ. ,Ug;gpDk; je;ijapd; fl;lisia vd;dhy; kPw KbahJ. nghpath;fs;> je;ij nrhy; kpf;f ke;jpuk; ,y;iy vd;W nrhy;ypAs;sdh;. mij kPwyhkh? kPwpdhy; gopf;fhshNtd; my;yth. je;ijapd; fl;lisia epiwNtw;WtJ jhd; kfdpd; flik. mjdhy; kfpo;Tld; tpil jhUq;fs;. mJ jhd; ePq;fs; vdf;Fr; nra;Ak; NgUjtp” vd;whd;.

mijf; Nfl;l kf;fs; xUthW Njwp kpFe;j ftiyAld; mth;fSf;F tpil nfhLj;jdh;. mth;fisf; fhl;bw;Ff; nfhz;L nrd;W tplj; Njh; jahuhf epd;wJ. ,uhkDk;> rPijAk;> ,yl;RkzDk; Njhpy; Vw ke;jphpahd Rke;jpuh; Njiu Xl;bdhh;. vt;tsNth jLj;Jk; Nfshky; kf;fs; Njiug; gpd; njhlu;e;J nrd;wdh;.

efu vy;iyiaf; fle;jJk; Rke;jpuh; Njiu Ntfkhf Xl;bdhh;. kf;fs; rpwpJ rpwpjhf epd;wdh;. ,Wjpapy; vy;NyhUk; epd;W tpl;ldh;. ,uT Mapw;W. Njiu Xh; Mw;wq;fiuapy; epWj;jpdhh; Rke;jpuh;. md;W ,uT mth;fs; mt;thw;wq;fiuapy; jq;fpdh;. Kjd; Kjyhfr; rPij Gw;wiuapy; gLj;J cwq;fpdhs;. mtSf;F epj;jpiu tutpy;iy. ,uT KOtJk; gaq;fuf; fdTfs; te;jd.

eLr;rhk Ntis ,uhkd; Rke;jpuiu vOg;gp Njhpy; Vwpg;Gwg;gl;lhd;. rPijAk; ,yl;RkzDk; $lr; nrd;wdh;.

ed;whf tpbAKd; Njh; Xh; ,lj;jpy; epd;wJ. %tiuAk; ,wf;fp tpl;L Rke;jpud; ehl;Lf;Fj; jpUk;gpdhh;. top njUf;fspy; kf;fs; epd;W mOJ nfhz;bUe;jdh;. mijg; ghh;f;fr; Rke;jpuUf;Ff; ftiyahf ,Ue;jJ.

jrujdpd; Jauk;

muz;kid itj;jpah; Raepidtw;wpUe;j jrujid kpfTk; mtjhdj;Jld; ftdpj;jhh;. ehiye;J jpdq;fs; nrd;Wk; mtUf;Fr; RaepidT jpUk;gtpy;iy. mijawpe;J mth; ehl;by; cs;s ngUk; epGzj;Jtk; tha;e;j itj;jpah;fis mioj;jhh;. may;ehl;L itj;jpah;fSk; nra;jp mwpe;J te;J Nrh;e;jdh;. ,Ue;Jk; jrujdpd; cly; epiyapy; khw;wk; Vw;gltpy;iy. mtuJ epidTfs; ahTk; ,uhkd; kPJ ,Ue;jjhy; mth; ‘,uhkh ,uhkh’ vd;W epkplj;jpw;Fg; gyKiw Kzfpf; nfhz;bUe;jhh;.

muz;kid itj;jpah; ke;jphpahd Rke;jpuDf;Fr; nrhd;dhh;>“,g;NghJ epiyik Nkhrkhf ,Uf;fpwJ. ,uhkd; te;J ‘mg;gh’ vd;W mioj;jhy; mth; Raepidtilthh;. Vw;ghL nra;Aq;fs;” vd;whh;.

20

Rke;jpuh; mijf; ifNffpf;F vLj;Jr; nrhy;ypAk; mts; Nfl;ftpy;iy. ,t;tsT fhyKk; ,uhkd; jhd; vdJ gps;isnad;wJ ebg;gh ,y;iy jpl;lkpl;l ehlfkh vd;W vz;zpdhh;. mj;Jld; fztDf;F xU rpW Jd;gk; Vw;gl;lhYk; Jaug;gl;Lj; jd;Dapiuf; nfhLj;NjDk; jdJ fztdpd; capiuf; fhg;ghw;w epidf;Fk; ghujg; ngz;zh ,ts;. muf;fp vdTk; epidj;jhh;.

NkYk; ,uz;L ehl;fs; fope;jd. jrujd; Raepidtile;jhh;. mth; Kjypy; Nfl;lJ>“,uhkd; vq;Nf? mtid mioj;J thUq;fs;. ,uhkh.. ,uhkh.. eP vq;Nf nrd;wha;” vd;W mOjhh;.

cz;ikia kiwf;f Kbahnjd;W czh;e;j Rke;jpuh;>“,uhkd; ehl;by; ,y;iy. fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;W tpl;lhd;” vd;whh; Rke;jpuh;.

“INah ,uhkh” vd;W mywpdhh; jrujd;.

mg;NghJ mthpd; mUfpy; ,Ue;j ifNffp nrhd;dhs;>“cq;fsJ epiyia tpsf;fpr; nrhy;yp mth;fis mioj;J tUkhW gy tPuh;fisf; fhl;Lf;F mDg;gpNdd;. mth;fisf; fz;L gpbf;f Kbatpy;iy” vd;W $rhky; ngha; nrhd;dhs; ifNffp.

“mth;fs; vd;why; NtW ahh; ahh; nrd;wdh;?” jrujd; kpFe;j Jauj;Jld; Nfl;lhd;.

“,uhkd; jdpNa nry;tij tpUk;ghj ,yl;Rkzd; ehd; jLj;Jk; NfshJ nrd;W tpl;lhd;. mJ Nghyr; rPijAk; ,uhkd; ,Uf;Fk; ,lk; jhd; vdf;F mNahj;jp vd;W $wpr; nrd;W tpl;lhs;. mts; ahhpdJ nrhy;iyAk; Nfl;fhJ gpbthjkhfr; nrd;W tpl;lhs;. ,g;NghJk; gy tPuh;fis ehd; fhl;Lf;F mDg;gpAs;Nsd;. ,J ke;jphpf;Fj; njhpAk;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“ke;jphpahNu> ePq;fs; jhNd Njiu Xl;br; nrd;W ehl;bd; vy;iyapy; ,wf;fpdPh;fs;. mjw;Fs; vq;Nf mth;fs; nrd;wpUg;ghh;fs;?” vd;W Nfl;lhh; itj;jpah;.

“itj;jpaNu> ifNffp ahiuAk; mDg;gtpy;iy. mts; ehlfkhLfpwhs;. ,t;tsT fhyKk; kdJs; elj;jpa ehlfj;ij ,g;Ngh Nkilapy; elj;Jfpwhs;. mts; nrhy;tnjy;yhk; ngha;. ed;F jpl;lkpl;Lr; nrayhw;Wfpwhs;. mtSk; jhlif Nghd;wnjhU muf;fp jhd;. muf;fh;fs; jkJ Raeyj;ijg; ghh;g;ghh;fNs jtpu mLj;jth;fsJ Jauj;ijf; fzf;fpy; vLf;fkhl;lhh;fs;” vd;whh; Rke;jpuh;.

“,uhkh> ,uhkh ,g;Ngh eP ve;j tdj;jpy; ,Uf;fpwha;. fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;W rpy ehspy; khakhf kiwe;Jtpl;lhah? vdJ tPuh;fs; gw;wpy;yhjth;fsh? mth;fshy; vg;gb ,uhkidf; fz;Lgpbf;f KbahJ Nghapw;W” vd;W mOjthW $wpath; nksdkhdhh;.

rpy epkplq;fspd; gpd; nrhd;dhh;>“eP nfhbats;. jpl;lkpl;Lg; ngha;fs; gy $wp vd;idAk; ehl;L kf;fisAk; Vkhw;wp tpl;lha;” vd;W mOjth;. fz;fis %bdhh;. muz;kid itj;jpah; mtiug; ghprPypj;J tpl;L mth; ,we;J tpl;lhh; vdf; $wpdhh;.

jrujd; ,we;j nra;jp Nfl;L mNahj;jp mjph;e;jJ. ,t;tsT ehSk; jrujd; ngz; gpj;Jg; gpbj;jtd;. ifNffpapd; nrhw;gb ehlf khbdhd; vd;W epidj;j kf;fs; jrujd; ,we;jJk; jrujdpy; Fw;wkpy;iy vd;gijj; njhpe;J Mj;jpukile;jdh;. muz;kidiar; Rw;wp epd;W Nfhrkpl;ldh;.

jdJ fzth; ,uhkidf; fhl;Lf;Fr; nry;YkhW $wtpy;iy vd;Wk;> $dpAk; ifNffpAk; Nrh;e;J nra;j rjpahy; jhd; ahTk; ele;jJ vd;W ,uhkdpd; jha; Nfhriy mwpe;J JaUw;whs;.

mg;NghJ gujd; Nffa ehl;by; ,Ue;jhd;. jrujd; ,we;j nra;jpia mwpe;J kpf;f Jauj;Jld; mtd; mNahj;jpf;F te;jhd;.

21

gujdpd; Jauk;

gujd; mNahj;jpf;F te;j NghJ kf;fs; tPjpfspy; Jauj;Jld; epd;W ifNffpiaj; jpl;bf; nfhz;bUe;jdh;. mth;fs; gujidf; fz;lJk; mtDf;nfjpuhff; Nfhrk; vOg;gpdh;. mtidf; nfhy;y Ntz;Lk; vd;wdh;. mijf; Nfl;Lj; jpifj;Jg; Nghdhd; gujd;. mtDf;Fj; Jf;fkhf ,Ue;jJ. ,uhkd; kPJ kpFe;j md;G nfhz;l jd; jhah ,j;jidf;Fk; fhuzk; vd;W Jf;fg;gl;lhd;.

mtd; jdJ jhia ntWg;Gld; re;jpj;jhd;. mts; nrhd;dhs;>“gujh> ,dp eP jhd; murd;. mjw;fhd Vw;ghLfs; midj;ijAk; nra;J tpl;Nld;” vd;W kpf;f kfpo;Tld; $wpdhs; ifNffp.

gujd; mijf; Nfl;L mstw;w Nfhgk; nfhz;lhd;>“,uhkd; jhd; vdJ %j;j kfd; vd;ghNa. xU jha; nra;Ak; nrayh ,J. ngz; ,dj;Jf;Nf ntl;ff; Nflhd nraiyr; nra;J tpl;L vd;id kfpo;Tld; tuNtw;fpwhah? vdf;F ePq;fhj gopiaj; Njbj; je;Js;sha;” vdf; nfhjpj;jhd;.

“kfNd> vy;yhtw;iwAk; cdJed;ikf;fhfj; jhd; nra;Njd;. vdJ kfd; murdhdhy; vdf;Fj; jhNd ngUik”vd;whs; ifNffp.

“ngUik jPatopapy; tuf; $lhJ. mijf;FWf;F topapy; ehlTk; $lhJ. eP ngUik vd;fpwha;. njUf;fspy; kf;fs; $b epd;W muf;fp> fztidf; nfhiy nra;j ghjfp vd;W jpl;Lfpd;wdh;. ehd; R+hpatk;rj;jpy; gpwe;jtd;. ePjp jhd; vd; caph; %r;R. ehd; mur ghuj;ij Vw;fkhl;Nld;. tPuh;fSld; ehDk; fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;W mz;zidj; Njbf; fz;L gpbj;J mioj;J te;J %bRl;b itg;Ngd;” vd;W $wp kuThp jhpj;Jf; fhl;Lf;Fr; nry;yg; Gwg;gl;lhd;. mijf; fz;l rj;JUf;fDk; mtDld; kuThp jhpj;Jf; fhl;Lf;Fg; Gwg;gl;lhd;.

ehl;L kf;fs; kpFe;j kfpo;Tld; gujidg; Gfo;e;jdh;. gujDk; rj;JUf;fDk; midthplKk; tpilngw;Wf; fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;wdh;. mth;fNshL jha;khUk; ,dj;jth;fSk; nghpath;fSk; ehl;Lkf;fSk; Nrh;e;J nfhz;ldh;. vg;gbahtJ ,uhkidr; rkhjhdg;gLj;jp mioj;J tuNtz;Lk; vd;W gujd; cWjpahf ,Ue;jhd;.

fhl;by; ,uhkd;

Rke;jpudpd; Njuhy; ,wq;fpa ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; rPijAk; njd; jpir Nehf;fp elf;fj; njhlq;fpdh;. fuL Kulhd ghijapy; elf;fr; rPij kpfTk; Jd;gg;gl;lhs;. mijg; ghh;j;j ,yl;Rkzdpd; fz;fs; fyq;fpd. ifNffp kPJ Mj;jpuk; te;jJ.

gpwe;jjpy; ,Ue;J muz;kidapy; nrhFrhd tho;f;if tho;e;j rPij Jd;gg;gLtij mtdhy; nghWj;Jf; nfhs;s Kbatpy;iy. ele;J nrd;w rPij ‘mk;kh’ vd;wthW jdJ tyJ fhiyj; J}f;fpdhs;. mjpy; xU Ks; Vwp ,Ue;jJ. ,uj;jk; ngUfpaJ. ,uhkd; mij mfw;wp tpl;L rpwpJ Neuk; ,isg;ghWk; gb nrhd;dhd;. %tUk; xU kuepoypy; mkh;e;jdh;.

rPij ftiyg;gltpy;iy> “ngz;fs; fztdpd; tPL nrd;why; gy Jd;gq;fis mDgtpf;f Ntz;Lk;” vd;W epidj;jhNs jtpur; nrhy;ytpy;iy. ,yl;Rkzd; fhl;bd; cs;Ns nrd;W fdpfisg; gwpj;J te;J ,uhkDf;Ff; nfhLf;f ,uhkd; rPijf;Ff; nfhLjhd;. muz;kidapy; mWRit czTfis cz;l mth;fs; fha;fisAk;> fdpfisAk;> fpoq;FfisAk; cz;ldh;. mJ ,yl;RkzDf;Ff; ftiyia mspj;jJ.

22

mq;Nf mth;fs; jq;Ftjw;fhf xU Fbir mikj;jdh;. ,uhkDk; rPijAk; ,utpy; mf;Fbirapy; jq;Fk; NghJ mth;fSf;Ff; fhtyhf ,yl;Rkzd; tpopj;jpUe;jhd;.

gpd; %tUk; ele;J nrd;W fq;iff; fiuia mile;jdh;. mq;Nf Mapuf;fzf;fhd Ntlh;fs; trpj;J te;jdh;. mth;fSf;Fj; jiytd; Ffd;. mtd; rpwe;j tpy; tPud;.

fq;iff; fiuapy; Vuhskhd glFfs; jhpj;J epd;wd. mg;gFjp KOtJk; Ffdpd; Mjpf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;jJ. mtd; ,uhkidg; gw;wp Kd;Ng Nfs;tpg;gl;bUe;jhd;.

,uhkd; ,yl;RkzDlDk; rPijAlDk; fq;iff; fiuf;F te;Js;shd; vd;W Nfs;tpg;gl;l Ffd; fq;iff; fiuf;F te;J ,uhkid tzq;fpdhd;.

mg;NghJ Ntlh;fs; gyh; Ffdpd; fl;lisg;gb fhl;by; cs;s gy mhpa nghUl;fisf; nfhz;L te;J ,uhkdpd; Kd; te;J ,uhkdpd; Kd; itj;jdh;>“Rthkp> ,tw;iw vkJ fhzpf;ifahf Vw;wUsy; Ntz;Lk;” vd;W Ffd; tzq;fpf; Nfl;lhd;.

Ffdpd; md;igf; fz;L kfpo;e;j ,uhkd; ,yl;RkidAk; rPijiaAk; FfDf;F mwpKfk; nra;J itj;jhd;.

,uhkd; Ffid mioj;J fl;bj; jOtpdhd; gpd;>“FfNd> cd;idg; gw;wp KOikahf mwpe;jtd; ehd;. mjdhy; cd;id vdJ rNfhjudhf Vw;Ws;Nsd;. ,dp Nky; eP vd;id mz;zh vd;Nw mio jk;gp. ,t;tsT fhyKk; vdf;F ,yl;RkzDk;> gujDk;> rj;JUf;fDk; jhd; rNfhjuh;fs;. ,d;W Kjy; ePAk; vdJ rNfhjud;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

mijf; Nfl;Lf; Ffd; kpf;f kfpo;r;rpaile;jhd;. Xh; murFkhud; Ntldhd jd;idj; jk;gp vd;wij mtdhy; ek;g Kbatpy;iy.

“mz;zh> vd;idj; jhq;fs; jq;fs; rNfhjudhf Vw;wij vd;dhy; ek;g Kbatpy;iy. kpf;f kfpo;r;rp. ehd; nra;j jtg; gad; mJ. mjdhy; ePq;fs; vk;Kld; rpy ehl;fs; jq;fpapUj;jy; Ntz;Lk;” vd;whd;.

,uhkd; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; Ffdpd; Nfhhpf;ifia Vw;Wf; nfhz;lhd;. mjdhy; %tUk; Ffdpd; ,Ug;gplj;jpw;Fr; nrd;wdh;. Ffd; fhl;by; cs;s gotiffisAk; kw;Wk; czT tiffisAk; nfhz;L te;J %tUf;Fk; nfhLf;f mth;fs; kpfTk; kfpo;Tld; mtw;iw cz;ldh;.

rpy ehl;fs; FfDld; jq;fpapUe;j %tUk; Gwg;gl;ldh;. Ffd; mth;fisg; glfpy; Vw;wpr; nrd;W fq;if ejpapd; kWgf;fj;jpy; tpl;lhd;. mq;Nf gy Kdpth;fs; ,Ue;jdh;. mth;fs; mth;fis tuNtw;W cgrhpj;jdh;. Kdpth;fspd; Ntz;LNfhSf;fpzq;f mth;fs; rpy ehl;fs; mq;F jq;fpdh;.

gpd;G Kdpth;fsplk; tpilngw;Wr; rpj;jpu $l ghh;tjk; vd;w ,lj;ij mile;jdh;. mq;F Xh; Mr;rpukk; mikj;J mjpy; jq;fpdh;.

Ffd; ,uhkiuAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; rPijiaAk; fq;ifapd; kWfiuapy; ,wf;fp tpl;Lj; jpUk;gpa NghJ Ntlh;fs; gyh; Xb te;J Ffid tzq;fp tpl;Lr; nrhd;dhh;fs;>“muNr> ,uhkiuj; je;jpukhff; fhl;Lf;F mDg;gp tpl;L Ml;rpiag; gpbj;j gujd; gilAld; vkJ gpuNjrj;ij Nehf;fp tUfpwhd;. ,uhkh; ,q;F jhd; cs;shh; vd mwpe;J mtiuf; nfhy;y tUfpwhh;fs;” vd;wdh;.

“ez;gh;fNs> clNd nrd;W vkJ ,dj;jtiu MAjq;fSld; tur; nrhy;Yq;fs;. ehk; ,we;j gpd;G jhd; mth;fs; ,t;tplj;ij tpl;Lr; nry;y Ntz;Lk;. mjdhy; mth;fs; vtiuAk; capUld; tplhjPh;fs;. nfhd;W FtpAq;fs;” vd;whd;.

mtd; $wpaJk; Ntlh;fs; Mapuf;fzf;fpy; MAjq;fSld; Ftpj;jdh;. Ffdpd; jiyikapy; Ntlh;fs; mzptFj;J epd;wdh;.

23

mth;fspd; vjpNu gujDk; mtDld; te;jth;fSk; MAjq;fSld; epd;wdh;. Ffd; Kd;Nd jtf;Nfhyj;Jld; epd;w gujidg; ghh;j;jhd;. mtdJ Kfk; fha;e;J fWj;jpUe;jJ. $l te;jth;fspd; KfKk; ftiyahy; %lg;gl;bUe;jJ. mijf; fz;l Ffd; vJTk; mwpahJ fytuj;Jld; epd;whd;.

mg;NghJ gujd; MAjq;fis epyj;jpy; Nghl;L tpl;L Ffid Nehf;fpf; fuq;Ftpj;jgb te;jhd;. Ffd; gujDld; fijj;j gpd;G gujdpd; ey;y gz;Gfis mwpe;J nka;rpyph;j;jhd;.

“FfNd> mz;zd; jhd; vdJ caph;. mth; cd;idj; jdJ jk;gp vd;W nrhd;djhy; ePAk; vdf;Fr; rNfhjud;. mjdhy; jaT nra;J mz;zd; ,Uf;Fk; ,lj;jpw;F vd;id mioj;Jr; nry;. mtiur; rkhjhdk; nra;J mioj;Jr; nrd;W KbR+l;l tpUk;GfpNwd;” vd;whd;.

gujdpd; ey;y cs;sj;ijg; Ghpe;J nfhz;l Ffd; gujdpd; vz;zj;ijg; ghuhl;bdhd;. gpd; mth;fis ,uhkd; ,Uf;Fkplj;Jf;F mioj;Jr; nrd;whd;.

gujd; ,uhkidf; fhzy;

rpj;jpu $lj;jpy; ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; rPijAk; ,Ue;j NghJ jk;ik Nehf;fp xU $l;lk; tUtij ,yl;Rkzd; fz;lhd;. J}uj;jpy; te;j NghJk; tUgtd; gujd; vd;W fz;L nfhz;lhd;. jhAld; Nrh;e;J R+o;r;rp nra;J Ml;rpiag; gpbj;j gujd; ,g;NghJ gilAld; te;J ,uhkid mopf;f tpUk;Gfpwhd; vd;Nw ,yl;Rkzd; vz;zp kpf;f Nfhgq; nfhz;lhd;.

clNd FbYs;r; nrd;whd;. mtdJ Nfhyj;ijf; fz;l ,uhkd; VNjh tpghPjk; ele;J tpl;lnjd;W czh;e;J mtid md;NghL ghh;j;jhd;>“mz;zh> gujd; gilAld; ,q;F vk;ikj; Njb tUfpwhd;. muirf; nfhLj;j gpd;G Vd; ,e;j Gj;jp. ehk; fhl;by; $l epk;kjpahf ,Uf;ff; $lhjh? mth;fNshL Nghhpl vdf;F mDkjp jhUq;fs;” vd;W MNtrj;Jld; $wpdhd;.

“,yl;Rkzh> gujd; mg;gbahdtd; my;y. vd; kPJ capiu itj;jpUg;gtd;. mtrug;glhNj” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

rPijAk; mijNa nrhd;dhs;>“mth;fs; NghUf;F te;jhy; Ffd; vkf;Fj; jfty; je;jpUg;ghd;. mtrug;glhNj vd;whs; rPij. mijf; Nfl;lJk; ,yl;Rkzd; kdk; rw;W MWjyile;jJ.

gujDf;F mg;gpuNjrr; R+o;epiyiaAk; mth;fs; thOk; FbiyAk; fz;l NghJ mOif gPwpl;lJ. ngUq;FunyLj;J mOjthW>“mz;zh> mz;zh” vd Fowpagb ifiaj; jiyf;F Nky; $g;gpa gb Xb te;jhd; gujd;. rj;JUf;fDk; mt;thNw te;jhd;. $l te;j gilapdUk; mt;thNw te;jdh;. te;jth;fs; midtUk; MAjq;fis epyj;jpy; Nghl;L tpl;L epyj;jpy; tpOe;J tzq;fpdh;.

“mz;zh” vd mioj;jthW gujDk; rj;JUf;fDk; Xb tu ,uhkd; kpf;f kfpo;Tld; Gd;difj;J ,UtiuAk; fl;bj;jOtpdhd;. gujdhy; Ngr Kbatpy;iy. tpk;kp tpk;kp mOjhd;.

“,yl;Rkzh> eP ghf;fpathd;. mz;zNzhL ,Uf;fpwha;. ehk; ghtk; nra;jth;fs;. mz;zidg; gphpe;jpUf;fpNwhk;. ehKk; ,q;NfNa jq;f tpUk;GfpNwhk;” vd;whd; gujd;.

“gujh> eP vk;Kld; Nghhpl tUfpwha; vd;W jhd; epidj;Njd;. vd;id kd;dpj;J tpL” vd;whd; ,yl;Rkzd;. ,uhkidf; fz;l kfpo;r;rpapy; ke;jphp Rke;jpuUk; gil tPuUk; kfpo;r;rp Muthuk; nra;jdh;.

24

gujd; je;ij ,we;j nra;jpia ,uhkDf;F kpf;f tUj;jj;Jld; nrhd;dhd;. mijf; Nfl;l ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; rPijAk; fyq;fpdh;.

mq;fpUe;j Kdpth;fs; fq;iff; fiuapy; jrujdpd; Mj;krhe;jpf;fhd g+irfisr; nra;jdh;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; gujDk; rj;JUf;fDk; mjpy; fye;J nfhz;ldh;.

fphpiafs; epiwtile;jJk; gujd; ,uhkdpd; mUfpy; te;J> mtid tzq;fp tpl;Lr; nrhd;dhd;>“mz;zh> jhq;fs; mNahj;jpf;F te;J Ml;rpg; nghWg;ig Vw;Wf; nfhs;s Ntz;Lk;” vd;whd;.

“gujh> je;ijapd; nrhw;gb ehd; fhl;Lf;Ff;F te;Njd;. mth; $wpa fhyk; tiu ,q;NfNa tho;Ntd;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“ehd; mij Vw;Wf; nfhs;fpNwd;. je;ijapd; cj;juTg;gb fhl;Lf;F te;jPh;fs;. ehd; Ml;rpiag; nghWg;Ngw;Nwd;. mJ Kbe;J tpl;lJ. ,g;NghJ ehNd tpUk;gp cq;fsplk; Ml;rpg; nghWg;ig xg;gilf;fpNwd;. mij Ntz;lhk; vd;W $whjPh;fs;. Vw;W vy;NyhhpdJk; tpUg;gj;ijg; g+h;j;jp nra;Aq;fs;” vd;W ,ue;jhd; gujd;.

“gujh> je;ij vd;idg; gjpd;ehd;F tUlq;fs; fhl;by; ,Uf;FkhW $wpAs;shh;. mthpd; tpUg;gg;gb me;jg; gjpd;ehd;F Mz;LfSk; ePjhd; mNahj;jpia Ms Ntz;Lk;. mJ jhd; Kiw. mjdhy; vd;idj; jaT nra;J tw;GWj;jhNj” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“mz;zh> jq;fisf; fhl;Lf;Fr; nrd;W thOk;gb $wpath; vdJ jha;. ,g;NghJ vdJ jhahUk; kw;Wk; ,U md;id khUk; $l te;jpUf;fpd;wdh;. ,g;NghJ vdJ jhahiuf; nfhz;L nrhy;y itf;fpNwd;” vd;W $wpf; ifNffpia mioj;J te;jhd;.

“vd;id kd;dpj;J tpL ,uhkh. nfLfhyk; te;jhy; Gj;jp jLkhWk;. $dpapd; nraw;ghl;lhy; vdJ cs;sk; khwptpl;lJ. jw;Nghija epiyiag; ghh;j;jJk; vdJ kdk; Jd;gg;gLfpwJ. mjdhy; te;J muRg; nghWg;ig Vw;Wf; nfhs;” vd;whs; ifNffp.

“md;idNa> cq;fsJ Ntz;LNfhis ehd; Vw;fkhl;Nld;. cq;fs; tpUg;gg;gb gujd; ehl;il Msl;Lk;. chpa fhyk; Kbtile;jJk; ehd; te;J cd;dplk; mur nghWg;ig Vw;Wf;nfhs;fpNwd;. mJ tiu ePNa murdhf ,Ue;J ehl;il ey;y Kiwapy; Ml;rp nra;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

NfhriyAk; Rkpj;jpiuAk; tpk;kp tpk;kp mOjdh;. ,uhkd; mth;fisj; Njw;wpdhd;. ,Ug;gpDk; mth;fshy; mOifia epWj;j Kbatpy;iy.

mg;NghJ gujd; nrhd;dhd;> “mz;zh> vk; md;Gj; je;ij jq;fspd; gphpitj; jhq;f KbahJ ,we;J tpl;lhh;. ehl;L kf;fs; je;ijiaAk; jq;fisAk; ,oe;J ngUe;Jd;gg;gLfpd;wdh;. vdJ tpUg;gj;ij Vw;why; midtUk; kfpo;th;. Mdhy; mij Vw;fj; jhq;fs; kWf;fpwPh;fs;. mjdhy; ehd; xU KbTf;F te;J tpl;Nld;” vd;W $wpepWj;jpdhd; gujd;.

,uhkd; mtid ghh;j;jhd;>“cdJ Kbitr; nrhy;” vd;wJ ,uhkdpd; ghh;it.

rpwpJ Neuk; nksdkhf epd;w gujd; nrhd;dhd;>“mg;gh ,Ue;j mhpaizapy; Kiwg;gb mkuNtz;bath; jhq;fs;. mg;gb ,Uf;ifapy; vd;dhy; vg;gb mjpy; mku KbAk;. vd; tho;ehspy; me;j mhpaizapy; xU epkplq; $l mkukhl;Nld;” vd;W kpfTk; cWjpahfr; nrhd;dhd; gujd;.

mijf; Nfl;l vy;NyhUk; jpifg;gile;jdh;>“,J vd;d Ngr;R. ,jd; mh;j;jk; vd;d?”vd;W Fok;gpdhh; Rke;jpud;.

25

“mz;zh> jhq;fs; ,Uf;f Ntz;ba mhpahrdk; mJ. mjdhy; jq;fs; ghJiffisj; jhUq;fs;. mtw;iwr; rpq;fhrdj;jpy; itj;J tpl;Lj; jpdKk; mij tzq;fpa gpd; ehl;ilg; ghpghypg;Ngd;” vd;whd; gujd;.

mUfpy; ,Ue;Njhh; jpifj;jdh;. ,g;gb xU ghrKs;s jk;gpah vd mjprapj;jdh;. mijf; Nfl;l ,yr;Rkzd; jhd; gujidj; jtwhfg; Ghpe;J tpl;Nld; vd;W fyq;fpdhd;.

“Ntz;lhk; gujh. Kiwg;gb elg;gJ jhd; ePjp. eP vdf;fhf mhpaiz VW” vd;W ,uhkd; nrhd;d NghJ gujd; nrhd;dhd;> “mz;zh> cq;fs; tpUg;gj;ij ehd; Vw;wJ Nghy vdJ tpUg;gj;ijAk; jhq;fs; Vw;whf Ntz;Lk;. ,J vdJ md;Gf; fl;lis” vd;whd; gujd;.

,uhkdhy; mjw;Fg; gjpy; $w Kbatpy;iy. rpwpJ jLkhwpdhd;. mg;NghJ gujd; nrhd;dhd;>“,J fl;lis my;y. vdJ tpUg;gk;. mjdhy; vdJ tpUg;gj;ijj; jaT nra;J g+h;j;jp nra;Aq;fs;. jhq;fs; tdthrk; Kbe;J jpUk;gp tUk;tiu jq;fs; gpuepjpahf ,Ue;J nraw;gLNtd;. mNahj;jpapy; ,Uf;f khl;Nld;. ee;jpf;fpuhkj;jpy; ,Ue;J nfhz;L ey;yhl;rp nra;Ntd;” vd;whd;.

“rhp> cdJ tpUg;gk; Nghy; el” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“kpfTk; kfpo;r;rp mz;zh. gjpd;ehd;F Mz;Lfs; Kbe;jJk; jpUk;gp te;J tply; Ntz;Lk;. xU ehs;j; jhkjkhdhYk; ehd; mf;fpdpg; gpuNtrk; nra;Ntd;. ,J jq;fs; kPJ Miz” vd;whd;. mtdJ fz;fshy; fz;zPh; topar; rpW Foe;ij Nghy mOjhd;. mijf; fz;l ,uhkDf;F nka;rpyph;j;jJ. ,t;tsT ghrk; vd;kPJ itj;jpUf;fpwhdh vd;W mjprag;gl;lhd;. gujidf; fl;bj; jOtp Kj;jkpl;lhd;. gpd; jdJ ghJiffisf; nfhLj;jhd;.

mtw;iw thq;fpa gujd; mtw;iwj; jdJ fz;fspy; xw;wp tpl;L mtw;iwj; jdJ jiy kPJ itj;jhd;.

vy;NyhUk; kpf;f Jauj;Jld; ,uhkdplkpUe;J tpil ngw;wdh;. ,uhkd; kpFe;j ftiyNahL ,yl;RkzDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;>“ehk; fhl;Lf;F te;jikahy; gyuJ md;igg; Ghpe;J nfhz;Nlhk;. tUtnjy;yhk; ed;ikf;F vd;W nghpath;fs; nrhy;thh;fs;. mJ cz;ik” vd;whd;. mtdJ Fuy; jsh;e;jJ.

gQ;rtb

rpy ehl;fs; nrd;w gpd;G ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; rPijAk; rpj;jpu$lj;ij tpl;Lg; Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;wdh;. topapy; njd;gl;l Gz;zpa jPh;j;jq;fspy; ePuhb> mq;Fs;s jyq;fisj; jhprpj;jdh;. gpd; njw;F Nehf;fpr; nrd;wdh;. nry;Yk; topapy; Kdpth;fspf; Mr;rpukq;fs; ,Ue;jd. mq;F nrd;Wmth;fis tzq;fp mth;fsplk; Mrp ngw;wdh;. gpd; mk;Kdpth;fSld; jq;fpapUe;J ,isg;ghwpdh;. Kdpth;fs; kdk; kfpo;e;J mth;fSf;Fg; gy tuq;fis mspj;jdh;. rpy Kdpth;fs; jhk; rptdplk; ngw;w MAjq;fis md;Gld; toq;fpdh;.

,g;gbahfg; gj;J Mz;Lfs; fope;jd. fhl;L tho;f;if mth;fSf;F kpFe;j kfpo;r;rpiaAk; cw;rhfj;ijAk; nfhLj;jJ. Kdpth;fs; mth;fSld; ciuahb kfpo;e;jdh;.

mth;fs; %tUk; Nfhjhthhp ejpf;fiuapy; cs;s gQ;rtb vd;Dk; ,lj;jpw;F te;jdh;. gQ;rtb kpfTk; mofhd ,lk;. vq;Fk; kuq;fs; Nrhiyahf epd;wd. mtw;wpy; Vuhskhd fha;fSk; fdpfSk; ,Ue;jd. mofhd g+Q;nrbfSk; epd;wd. mtw;iw Neuk; NghtJ njhpahJ rPij ghh;j;J urpj;jhs;. Vuhskhd mofhd gwitfs; mq;F ,Ue;jd. mofpa xU gQ;rth;zf; fpsp rPijapd; md;gpy; fl;Lg;gl;L mtNshL ,Ue;jJ.

26

,yl;Rkzd; mt;tplj;jpy; xU Fby; mikj;jhd;. %tUk; mjpy; jq;fpapUe;jdh;.

R+h;gdifapd; tUif

%tUk; kpfTk; kfpo;Tld; mq;F ,Ue;j NghJ R+h;g;gdif vd;Dk; muf;fp me;jg; gf;fkhf te;jhs;. kpfTk; mtyl;rdkhd Njhw;wj;ij cilats;. mJ Nghyf; nfhba Fzq;fisAk; cilats;. ,uf;fkpy;yhjts;. mj;Jld; khahfhhpaq;fis kpf vspjhfr; nra;gts;. jdJ cUtj;ijj; Njitf;Nfw;wgb khw;wpf; nfhs;gts;.

ghuj ehl;bw;F mUNf ,yq;if vd;nwhU mofpa ehL cz;L. me;j ehl;ilf; FNgud; Mz;L te;jhd;. mofhd ,yq;ifia ,uhztd; vd;w muf;fd; ifg;gw;wp Mz;L te;jhd;. mtdJ rNfhjhp jhd; R+h;g;gdif.

,uhtzd; rpwe;j rptgf;jd;. Ntjq;fisAk; cgepljq;fisAk; fw;wtd;. tPiz thrpg;gjpy; ifNjh;e;jtd;. mtd; rhkNtjg; ghly;fis ,irAld; ghbr; rptid kfpo;tpg;gtd; mjdhy; rptd; kfpo;e;J mtDf;F thisg; ghprspj;jhh;. ,d;Dk; gy MAjq;fisAk; mtd; rptdplk; ngw;wtd;.

mtd; kpFe;j gyrhyp. mg;NghJ tho;e;jth;fs; ,uhtzid tplg; gyk; Fiwe;jth;fs;.mjdhy; mtd; midtiuAk; gaKWj;jp itj;jpUe;jhd;. mtd; rptidj; jtpu NtW vtiuAk; kjpj;jjpy;iy. mjdhy; vtuhYk; jd;id vJTk; nra;a Kbahnjd;W epidj;J ,Wkhe;jpUe;jhd;. jd;id tplg; gyrhyp vtUk; ,Uf;ff; $lhnjd;Wk;> jd;id kdpjh;fs; kl;Lky;y NtW ve;j capuhYk; nfhy;y KbahJ vd;w tuj;ij rptngUkhdplk; ngw;wikahy; mtd; jpkpuhd Mztj;jpdhy; Ml;nfhs;sg;gl;bUe;jhd;. me;j tuj;jpd; rf;jpahy; Njth;fis ntd;W mth;fis mbikahf;fpdhd;.

Kdpth;fs; ahfk; nra;jhy; jd;id tplr; rptdpd; tuq;fshy; gyrhypfshfpj; jd;idj; jhf;Fthh;fs; vd;W gae;J Kdpth;fs; nra;Ak; ahfq;fis mopj;J te;jhd;. Kdpth;fisr; rpiwg;gLj;jpdhd;.

mtd; jdf;nfd xU nfhbiaAk; cUtfpj;J itj;jpUe;jhd;. mtdJ tPizf;nfhb vq;Fk; gsgsj;Jg; gwe;J nfhz;bUe;jJ. mj;Jld; mtd; rptdJ ngaiuj; jdJ ngaNuhL ,izj;J ,uhtNz];tud; vd itj;jhd;. ehl;by; cs;sth;fs; midtUk; ,uhtNz];tud; vd;W miof;f Ntz;Lk; vd;W fl;lisapl;lhd;.

gQ;rtbf;F te;j R+h;g;gdif mq;fpUe;j Mr;rpukj;jpd; thrypy; ,yl;Rkzd; fhty; fhg;gijf; fz;lhs;. mj;Jld; Mr;rpukj;jpy; ,Ue;J ntspNa te;j ,uhkidAk; rPijiaAk; fz;L mth;fspd; moiff; fz;L kaq;fpdhs;.

jhd; gyk; nghUe;jpa ,uhtNz];tudpd; jq;ifahjyhy; jhd; epidj;jtw;iwnay;yhk; nra;ayhk; vd;W vz;zpdhs;.

,uhkdpd; mofpy; kaq;fpa R+h;g;gdif jdJ tpfhukhd Njhw;wj;ijf; fz;lhy; ,uhkd; tpUk;gkhl;lhd; vd;W njhpe;J jd;id Xh; mofpa Njtij Nghy cUkhw;wp ,uhkdpd; vjpNu Ngha; epd;whs;.

jhd; Ntlk; khw;wpa NghJk; rPijf;F ,izahd mofpahf khwKbatpy;iy vd;w Nfhgk; mtspd; kdjpy; vOe;jJ. Nkhfj;Jld; mts; rphpj;jhs;.

jdf;Fj; njhpahky; ,uhkDf;F Kd; ,ts; vg;gb te;jhs;. ahh; ,ts; vd;W ,yl;Rkzd; Nahrpj;jhd;.

,uhkd; mtis md;Gld; Nehf;fp>“ngz;Nz> eP ahh;? ,e;jg; gaq;fukhd fhl;Lf;Fs; jdpNa vg;gb te;jha;? cd; ngah; vd;d?” vd;W fdpTld; Nfl;lhd;.

27

“vdJ ngah; R+h;g;gdif gyk; nghUe;jpa khkd;dd; ,uhtzdpd; rNfhjhp. ,g;gFjp kpFe;j moFilaJ. mjdhy; jpdKk; moif urpf;f tUNtd;. ,e;jg; g+kpapd; moif tpl eP mofhf ,Uf;fpwha;. Njtdh eP. cd;idg; Nghd;w XH; mofd; ,t;Tyfpy; ,y;iy. mjdhy; cd; kPJ fhjy; nfhz;L tpl;Nld;. vd;idj; jpUkzk; nra;J nfhs;. cdf;Fj; Njitahd nghd; nghUis vd; mz;zdplk; ngw;Wj; jUfpNwd;” vd;whs; fdpTld;.

“ngz;Nz> ehd; jpUkzkhdtd;. ,ts; jhd; vdJ kidtp. xU ngz; jpUkzkhdtid tpUk;gf; $lhJ. mJ Nghy jpUkzkhdtd; ,d;ndhU ngz;iz tpUk;gyhfhJ. ,J kuG. kuG vd;gJnjhd;W njhl;Lf; iff;nfhs;Sk; Kiw. mjdhy; ghtk; te;J NrUk;. mj;Jld; xUtDf;F xUj;jp vd;w Nfhl;ghLilatd; ehd;. mjdhy; ve;jg; ngz;izAk; ehd; VnwLj;Jg; ghh;f;fkhl;Nld;. ,J vdJ tpujk;. mjdhy; cd; kdjpy; Njhd;wpa jPa vz;zq;fis mfw;wp tpL” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“NguofNd> cd;idg; Nghd;w mofd; vkJ tk;rj;jpy; ,y;iy. cdf;F mUfpy; vg;NghJk; ,Uf;f Mirg;gLfpNwd;. cd; moifg; ghh;j;J urpj;Jf; nfhz;Nl ,Uf;fyhk;. cdJ ,dpankhopiaf; Nfl;Lf; nfhz;Nl ,Uf;fyhk;. jaT nra;J vdJ vz;zj;ijg; g+h;j;jp nra;” vd;whs; R+h;g;gdif.

“,J jPa Mir. tpl;L tpL” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“tpl;L tpl Kbatpy;iy. kuThp jhpj;jhYk; cd;idg; ghh;j;jhy; murtk;rj;jtd; Nghyj; Njhd;WfpwJ. murh;fSk;> muf;fh;fSk; gy ngz;fis kze;J nfhs;thh;fs;. mJ jtwpy;iy. mjdhy; vd;id eP kze;J nfhs;syhk;” vd;whs; R+h;g;gdif.

“eP epidg;gJ Nghy ehd; mur FLk;gj;ijr; Nrh;e;jtd; jhd;. Mdhy; Vfgj;jpdp tpujd;. vdJ kidtpiaj; jtph;e;j Ntnwe;jg; ngz;izAk; kdjhy; $lj; jPz;l khl;Nld;. tPzhz jPathh;j;ijfisg; NgRtij tpLj;J ,q;fpUe;J nrd;W tpL” vd;W fLq;Nfhgj;Jld; nrhd;dhd; ,uhkd;.

Nkhf kaf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;j R+h;g;gdif ,uhkdpd; Ngr;ir nrtp kLf;fhJ>“cd;idj; jhd; ehd; jpUkzk; nra;Ntd;. vdJ rNfhjuh;fsplk; nrhd;dhy; cd;idj; J}f;fp te;J vd;dplk; xg;gilg;ghh;fs;” vd;whs;.

,uhkd; mt;thW $wpa gpd;G ,yl;Rkzdplk; nrd;W R+h;g;gdif>“cd; mz;zd; kWf;fpwhd;. ePahtJ vd;idj; jpUkzk; nra;” vd;whs;.

“ehDk; jpUkzkhdtd;. mz;zidg; Nghy ehDk; Vfgj;jpdp tpujd;. vdf;Ff; Nfhgk; tUKd; nrd;W tpL” vd;whd; ,yl;Rkzd;.

,yl;Rkzdpd; Ngr;R mtspd; Nfhgj;ijj; J}z;baJ>“cq;fs; ,UtiuAk; nfhd;W tpLNtd;. vdJ tpUg;gj;jpw;F ,zq;Fq;fs;” vd;wthW jdJ gioa cUitg; ngw;whs; R+h;g;gdif.

mtsJ Nfhukhd cUt mikg;igf; fz;L rPij gae;J mywpdhs;. ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; mikjpahf epd;wdh;. mts; nky;y nky;yj; jdJ nghpa fhy;fisj; J}f;fp itj;J mth;fis Nehf;fp te;jhs;. mijf; fz;l ,yl;Rkzd; mtsJ %f;ifj; jdJ thshy; mWj;jhd;. R+h;g;gdif ngUq;FunyLj;Jf; fj;jpdhs;. jhlifiaf; nfhd;wtd;. ,tNdh ,td; vd;idAk; nfhd;W tpLthNdh vd epidj;J mt;tplj;ij tpl;L mfd;whs;.

,uhtzdpd; rig

28

jiytphpNfhykhfg; ngUq;FunyLj;Jf; Fowpagb R+h;g;gdif ,uhtzdpd; mur rigf;F Xb te;jhs;. mtsJ %f;iff; fhztpy;iy. Kfnkq;Fk; ,uj;jk; gutpf; fha;e;jpUe;jJ. mijf; fz;l ,uhtzd; jpifj;Jg; Nghdhd;. ghrKs;s mtdJ neQ;rk; ghpjtpj;jJ. vd;d ele;jJ vd;W mtdhy; Ghpe;J nfhs;s Kbatpy;iy. mur rig jpifj;jJ.

R+h;g;gdif jdf;F Neh;e;j mty epiyiag; gw;wp kpFe;j rpdj;Jld; vLj;Jiuj;jhs;. ,uhtzdpd; ,uj;jk; nfhjpj;jJ. clNd mth;fisg; gpbj;Jf; nfhy;y Ntz;Lk; vd;W epidj;jhd;.

,uhtzd; kpFe;j gyrhyp. mtDf;Ff; Fk;gfh;zd;> tpgPldd; vd;w ,U rNfhjh;fs; ,Ue;jdh;. ,uhtzdJ kfd; ,e;jpu[pj;. kpFe;j gyrhyp. mtid tpl NtW Gj;jpuq;fSk; ,Ue;jdh;.

“mz;zh> Nfhjhthhp ejpf;fiuapy; mg;gpuNjj;jpd; vopiy kpFe;j kfpo;Tld; urpj;Jf; nfhz;L gQ;rtb vd;Dk; ,lj;ij mile;Njd;. mq;Nf mikf;fg;gl;bUe;j g+e;Njhl;lj;jpy; Xh; Mr;rpukk; ,Ue;jJ. mjpy; Nguofpahd xU ngz;izf; fz;Nld;. mg;gbahd Nguofpia cynfq;Fk; NjbdhYk; fz;L gpbf;f KbahJ” vd;whs;.

Nguofp vd;wJk; ,uhtzdpd; kdk; rydg;gl;lJ> “ahh; mts;?”vd;W Nfl;lhd;.

“mtspd; ngah; rPij. ngUk; gyrhypAk; ahuhYk; nty;y Kbahjtdhd cdf;Fg; nghUj;jkhdts; mts;. mjdhy; mtis cd;dplk; nfhz;L te;J Nrh;g;gpg;gjw;fhf mtisg; gpbj;Njd;. mjdhy; ,uhkDk;> ,yl;RkzDk; vd;idj; jLj;J vdJ %f;if mWj;J tpl;ldh;. Njth;fNs cdJ Ngr;irf; Nfl;lhy; mQ;rp eLeLq;Fth;. ,yl;Rkzd;> “ahh; ,uhtzd; cdJ rNfhjudh? me;j muf;fid xU nehbapy; nfhy;Ntd;” vd;whd;. mJ jhd; vdf;Ff; ftiyahf ,Uf;fpwJ” vd;whs; R+h;g;gdif.

“mg;gbahd tPudh mtd;” ,uhtzd; Nfl;lhd;.

“,y;iy mz;zh> ngUk; tPud; xU ngz;iz khdgq;fg;gLj;Jtdh” eP clNd gQ;rtbf;Fr; nrd;W ,UtiuAk; nfhd;W tpl;Lr; rPijiaf; fth;e;J th. cd;idg; Nghd;w tPuDf;Fj; jFjpahdts; mts;. vd;id mtkhdg;gLj;jpa mth;fisf; nfhd;why; jhd; vdJ kdk; rkhjhdkhFk;” vd;whs; R+h;g;gdif.

R+h;g;gdifapd; Ngr;rpdhy; ,uhtzdpd; kdjpy; rPijiag; gw;wpa vz;zk; Njhd;wp tsh;e;jJ. mtsJ NguoF mtdJ kdjpy; Njhd;wpaJ. Neuk; Mf Mf ,uhtzdpd; kdjpy; rPijapd; epidTfs; mjpfhpj;jd. rptgf;jdhd mtDf;F mg;NghJ ePjp epahak; njhpatpy;iy.

Vtyhsh;fis mDg;gpj; jdJ khkdhd khhPrid miog;gpj;jhd;. khhPrd; te;jJk; ,uhtzd; jdJ jpl;lj;ij tphpthf mtDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;. mijf; Nfl;l khhPrd; kWj;jhd;. mtd; ,uhkidg; gw;wp mwpe;jpUe;jikahy; gae;jhd;.

,uhtzd; ePjp epahak; ghu;g;gjpy;iy. vij epidj;jhYk; nra;J Kbj;J tpLthd;. mjdhy; ,uhtzd; mtid kpul;bdhd;. gpd; vr;rhpj;jhd;. mjdhy; gae;j khhPrd; xj;Jf; nfhz;lhd;. ,f;nfhbatdhy; ,wg;gij tplg; Gz;zpatdhd ,uhkdhy; ,wg;gJ Nky; vd;W epidj;jhd; khhPrd;.

khhPrDk; ,uhtzDk; gQ;rtbf;F te;jdh;. ,uhtzd; kiwe;J epd;whd;. rPij g+e;Njhl;lj;jpy; kyh;fisg; gwpj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhs;. mtisf; fz;lJk; ,uhtzdJ nka;rpyph;j;jJ. R+h;g;gdif nrhd;dJ Nghy; mg;gbahd xU Nguofpia mtd; fhztpy;iy. mtd; jdJ G];gf tpkhdj;jpy; vy;yh cyfq;fSf;Fk; nrd;W te;jpUf;fpwhd;. Mdhy; ,g;gbahd NguoFs;s ngz;iz mtd; fhztpy;iy.

kyh; gwpj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;j rPijf;F mUfpy; khhPrd; Xh; mofpa nghd;dpwkhd khdpd; cUntLj;J te;J Nka;e;jhd;. jdf;Fr; rpwpJ J}uj;jpy; te;J epd;w nghd;khdpd; moif urj;Jg; ghh;j;jhs; rPij. mg;gbahd moFs;s khid mts;

29

fhl;by; ,Jtiu fhztpy;iy. mjdhy; mjd; kPJ Mir nfhz;L mijg; gpbj;Jj; jUkhW ,uhkidf; Nfl;lhs;.

rPij jpUkzkhd ehspypUe;J ,uhkdplk; vijAk; Mirg;gl;Lf; Nfl;ljpy;iy. mjdhy; jdJ kidtpapd; me;jr; rpW Miriag; g+h;j;jp nra;a ,uhkd; mk;igAk; tpy;iyAk; vLj;Jf; nfhz;L khidg; gpbf;fr; nrd;whd;.

g+e;Njhl;lj;jpy; cyhtpa kha khidg; gyKiw ,yl;Rkzd; re;Njfj;Jld; ghh;j;jhd;. mJ Vida khd;fis tpl NtWgl;bUe;jJ. kpfTk; mofhfTk; ,Ue;jJ. mjdhy; mtd; ,uhkDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;.

“mz;zh> me;j khid cw;Wg; ghUq;fs;. rhjhuzkhf khd;fis tpl mJ NtWghLs;sjhf ,Uf;fpwJ. New;W muf;fpahd R+h;g;gdif mofpa ngz;ZUtpy; te;J jd;idj; jpUkzk; nra;AkhW $wpaijg; Nghy ,JTk; muf;fh;fspd; kha Ntiyahf ,Uf;fyhk;. mjdhy; rw;Wr; rpe;jpj;Jr; nraw;gLq;fs;” vd;whd;.

,t;thW ,yl;Rkzd; $wpaJk; ,uhkd; re;Njfj;Jld; khidg; ghh;j;jhd;. mJ rhjhuz khd;fis tpl NtWgl;bUe;jJ njhpe;jJ.

,uhkd; jaq;fpaijf; fz;l rPijf;Fj; Jf;fkhf ,Ue;jJ. mts; ,uhkdplk; te;J> “me;j khd; vdf;F Ntz;Lk;. gpbj;Jj; jhUq;fs;” vdf; nfQ;rpdhs;. mOJ tpLths; Nghyj; njhpe;jJ.

murtk;rj;jtshd rPijapd; me;jr; rpW Miriag; g+h;j;jp nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd;W jPh;khdpj;j ,uhkd; ,yl;RkzDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;> “jk;gp> vdJ kidtp ,Jtiu vd;id vJTk; Nfl;ftpy;iy. vjpYk; Mirg;gl;lJk; ,y;iy. ,d;W Nfl;fpwhs;. mijg; g+h;j;jp nra;tJ fztdhd vdJ flik my;yth. xU Ntis ,J muf;fh;fspd; khia Ntiyahf ,Ue;jhYk; mij vkJ gyj;jhy; Kwpabf;fyhk; jhNd. gag;glhNj. ehd; jpUk;gp tUk; tiu rPijf;Ff; fhtyhf ,U” vd;W $wptpl;L khdpd; mUNf nrd;whd;.

,uhtzdpd; jpl;lg;gb ,uhkd; te;jJk; khhPrdpd; tbtpy; ,Ue;j khakhd; Xlj;njhlq;fpaJ.

,uhkd; mijj; Juj;jpf; nfhz;L ntF J}uk; te;J tpl;lhd;. mijg; gpbf;f Kbatpy;iy. ,uhkd; kpfTk; fisj;Jg; Nghdhd;. Mdhy; khd; Kd;ig tpl Ntfkhf XbaJ. mjdhy; Nfhgk; nfhz;l ,uhkd; Xh; mk;ig vLj;J khid Nehf;fp mk;igr; nrYj;jpdhd;.

khdpd; clypy; mk;Ggl;lJk; mJ muf;fdhd khhPrdhf khwpaJ. gpd; khhPrd; jdJ Fuiy ,uhkdpd; Fuyhf khw;wp>“,yl;Rkzh> rPjh.. vd;idf; fhg;ghw;Wq;fs;” vd;W gykhff; fjwptpl;L khhPrd; ,we;J Nghdhd;.

khhPrdpd; fjwpa mywy; rj;jk; fhnlq;Fk; vjpnuhypj;jJ. mJ rPijf;Fk; ,yl;RkzDf;Fk; Nfl;lJ.

mt;thW fj;jpaJ ,uhkd; vdr; rPij epidj;Jg; gae;jhs;. ,uhkDf;F VNjh Mgj;J te;J tpl;lJ vd;W mQ;rpdhs;. mtspd; cly; eLq;fpaJ. rpy fzq;fs; mjph;e;J nrayw;wpUe;j rPij Raepidtile;J ,yl;Rkzdpd; mUNf te;jhs;.

“,yl;Rkzh> cdJ mz;zhtpd; fjwy; rj;jk; cdf;Ff; Nfl;ftpy;iyah? NfshjJ Nghy epw;fpwha;. vdf;Fg; gakhf cs;sJ nrd;W ghh;j;J th” vd;whs;. mtsJ cly; eLq;fpaJ. fz;fshy; fz;zPh; tope;jJ.

“jhNa> me;jf; fjwy; rj;jk; vdJ mz;zdJ fjwy; rj;jk; my;y. mtuJ Fuy; vd;Fj; njhpahjh? ,jpy; VNjh khak; ,Uf;fpwJ. R+h;g;gdifia mtkhdg;gLj;jpaikahy; muf;fh;fs; VNjh R+o;r;rp nra;fpwhh;fs;” vd;W ,yl;Rkzd; $Wk; NghJ rPij Nfhgj;Jld; nrhd;dhs;>“rhp. cdJ mz;zdJ Fuy; ,y;yhtpl;lhYk; vd;d ele;jnjd;W nrd;W ghh;j;J th” vd;whs;.

30

“rw;Wg; nghWq;fs;. mz;zh ngUk; gyrhyp. rfy ty;yikfisAKila jhlifiaf; nfhd;wth;. mtiu ahUk; nty;y KbahJ. ,J muf;fh;fspd; R+o;r;rp” vd;whd;.

mjdhy; kpf;f Nfhgk; nfhz;l rPij gjl;lj;Jld; nrhd;dhs;> “vdf;F cdJ mz;zdpd; Fuy; njhpAk;. mthpd; fjwy; rj;jk; jhd; mJ. mJ njhpe;Jk; eP nrayw;wpUg;gijg; ghh;f;f vdf;Fr; re;Njfkhf ,Uf;fpwJ. cdJ neQ;rpy; tQ;rfkhd vz;zk; ,Uf;fpwJ” vd;W rPij MuhahJ jfhj thh;j;ijfisf; $wp Vrpdhs;.

mijf; Nfl;Lr; rfpf;f Kbahj ,yl;Rkzd; jdJ mk;ig vLj;J rPijapd; Kd;ghf xU Nfhl;ilr; fPwpdhd;. gpd;> “vJ ele;jhYk; ,f;Nfhl;ilf; fle;J jhq;fs; ntspNa tuf;$lhJ” vd;W fl;lisapl;L tpl;Lg; Gwg;gl;lhd;.

,uhtzd; rPijiaf; flj;jy;

,tw;iwnay;yhk; kiwe;jpUe;J mtjhdpj;j ,uhtzd; ,yl;Rkzd; nrd;wJk; xU re;epahrpiag; Nghy Ntlkpl;Lr; rPijapd; mUNf te;jhd;. mtspd; Kfk; mOjikahy; tPq;fpf;fWj;jpUe;j NghJk; mJ ,uhtzDf;F Nguofhfj; njhpe;jJ.

“jhNa> ePz;l J}uk; ele;jikahy; kpfTk; fisj;J tpl;Nld;. ,uz;L

ehl;fshf czT cz;ztpy;iy. grpf;fpwJ. VjhtJ czT jhUq;fs;” vd;W ,ue;jhd; ,uhtzd;.

rPij re;epahrpiag; ghh;j;jhs;. ,uhtzd; jdJ khatpj;ijahy; jdJ Nfhyj;ij cz;ikahd rptf;Nfhykhf;fpapUe;jhd;. mtdJ Kfj;jpy; grpf;fis njhpe;jJ.

rPij xU jl;by; czT tiffis itj;J vLj;J te;jhs;. re;epahrp rPij tUKd; mf;Nfhl;ilf; flf;fg; ghh;j;jhd;. mg;NghJ mf;NfhL jPahf khwpaJ. mjdhy; mtd; Nfhl;Lf;F ntspNa epd;whd;.

,ijawpahj rPij> kpf;f grpNahL te;jpUf;Fk; re;epahrp kPJ ,uf;fk; nfhz;L ,yl;Rkzd; fPwpa Nfhl;ilj; jhz;b te;J czTj; jl;il ePl;bdhs;.

clNd ,uhtzd; rPijapd; fuq;fisg; gw;wpg; gpbj;jhd;. rPij jpkpwpdhs;. mtdplkpUe;J tpLglg; Nghuhbdhs;. mtshy; Kbatpy;iy. ,uhtzd; mtisj; J}f;fpr; nrd;W jdJ tpkhdj;jpy; Vw;wpdhd;. gpd; tpkhdj;ij ,yq;ifia Nehf;fpg; gwf;f tpl;lhd;.

tpkhdj;jpy; ,Ue;j rPij gykhff; fj;jpdhs;. mtSf;Fj; jhd; nra;j jtW Ghpe;jJ.

rPijapd; mywy; rj;jk; kuj;jpd; kPJ mkh;e;jpUe;j gwitfspd; murdhd rlhATf;Ff; Nfl;lJ. rlhA kpfTk; gyrhyp. jw;NghJ taJ nrd;wikahy; KJikaile;jpUe;jJ.

mg;NghJ Mfhaj;jpy; xU ngz;zpd; mgaf;Fuy; Nfl;lJ. vd;W kpy;yhjthW Mfhaj;jpy; ngz;zpd; mtyf;Fuy; Nfl;ljhy; mJ vd;d vd;gij mwptjw;fhfr; rlhA Mfhaj;jpd; cr;rpf;Fg; gwe;J nrd;W ,uhtzdpd; tpkhdj;ij tl;lkpl;lJ.

tpkhdj;jpy; ,Ug;gts; rPijnad;Wk; mtis ,uhtzd; flj;jpr; nry;fpwhd; vd;Wk; njhpe;J nfhz;l rlhA ,uhtzid %h;f;fj;jdkhfj; jhf;fpaJ. mJ jdJ $hpa myfhy; nfhj;jpAk; efq;fshy; fPwpAk; jhf;fpaJ.

,uhtzd; rlhA tpz;,wf;iffisj; jdJ thspdhy; ntl;b tpOj;jpdhd;. rpwif ,oe;j rlhA epyj;jpy; tpOe;J Ntjidahy; JbJbj;jJ.

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mijf; fz;L Mj;jpuk; nfhz;l rPij> “nfhba muf;fNd> eP tPuKs;stdhf ,Ue;jhy; vdJ fztNdhL Nghhpl;L mtiu ntd;w gpd; flj;jpapUf;fyhk;. mJ jhd; tPuDf;F moF. gyrhypapd; mZFKiw. mij tpl;L tpl;L vd;idj; jdpikg;gLj;jp tpl;L khWNtlj;jpy; te;J vd;idf; flj;jpr; nry;fpwha;. ,J jhdh cdJ tPuk;> gyk;. cdJ jPanraiyj; jLf;fte;j Kjpa gwitahd rlhAit ,uf;fkpd;wpf; nfhd;w eP rptgf;jdh? rptidr; rhl;bg; gpiog;G elj;Jfpwha;. cdf;F ntl;fkhf ,y;iy. vdJ fzth; Rj;jtPuh;. gyrhyp. mtuhy; jhd; eP mopag;Nghfpwha;” vd;whs; rPij.

,uhtzd; mtsJ Ngr;irf; Nfl;ftpy;iy. mtd; ,yq;ifia Nehf;fp tpkhdj;ij tpiuthfr; nrYj;jpf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;.

rPij jdJ Mguzq;fs; midj;ijAk; fow;wpj; jdJ Kd;jhidiaf; fpopj;J mjpy; itj;Jf; fl;b mij epyj;jpy; Nghl;lhs;.

tpkhdk; ,yq;ifia te;jile;jJ. ,uhtzd; gzpg;ngz;fis mioj;Jr; rPijiaj; J}f;fpr; nrd;W mNrhf tdk; vd;w ee;jtdj;jpy; rpiwitf;Fk;gb gzpj;jhd;. rpiwitf;fg;gl;l rPijf;Fg; gy muf;fpfisf; fhty; itj;jhd;.

,uhkd; rPijiaj; Njly;

,yl;Rkzd; me;j khaf; Fuy; te;j jpiria Nehf;fp Ntfkhfr; nrd;whd;.

,uhkd;> rPij jdf;F VNjh Mgj;J te;J tpl;lJ vd;W fyq;Fths; vd;W vz;zpj; jhd; jq;fpapUe;j Fbiy Nehf;fp Ntfkhf te;jhd;. ,yl;Rkzd; gyrhyp tPud;. mjdhy; rPijf;F ve;j Mgj;Jk; tu mtd; tplhd;. mts; gae;jhy; chpa tifapy; rkhjhdk; $Wthd; vd;w epidNthL ,uhkd; te;J nfhz;bUe;jhd;.

te;jJ cz;ikahd khd; my;y. mJ khakhd;. mRuh;fspd; R+o;r;rp vd;W mwpahJ rPijAk; ,yl;RkzDk; fyq;Fthh;fs; vd;W vz;zpf; ftiyg;gl;lhd; ,uhkd;. jhd; ,yl;Rkzd; nrhd;dijf; NfshJ tpl;lij epidj;Jf; ftiyg;gl;lhd;. mg;NghJ ,yl;Rkzd; mq;Nf te;jhd;.

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33

,yl;Rkzidf; fz;l ,uhkd; xU fzk; mjph;e;jhd;. eLf;fhl;by; ahUkpy;yh Ntisapy; mtd; te;jJ ,uhkidf; fytug;gLj;jpaJ.

,yl;Rkzd; te;J FbyUNf ele;j rk;gtj;ijf; $wpdhd;. gpd; ,UtUk; Fbiy Nehf;fp tpiuthfr; nrd;wdh;.

,UtUk; Fbiy mile;J rPijiaj; Njbdh;. mtis mq;F fhztpy;iy. mjdhy; mth;fs; fhl;Lf;Fs; Njbdh;. Xhplj;jpy; rlhA jdJ ,wf;iffs; ntl;lg;gl;Lj; JbJbj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jij ,uhkd; fz;lhd;.

“,uhkh> ,uhtzd; vd;w muf;fd; jdJ tpkhdj;jpy; te;J rPijiaf; flj;jpr; nrd;whd;. mijj; jLf;f Kad;Nwd;.vd;idj; jhf;fp tpl;Lr; nrd;W tpl;lhd;. eP ,yq;iff;Fg; Ngha; mtis kPl;L th” vd;W $wptpl;L rlhA ,we;J tpl;lJ.

rlhATf;F ,Wjpf; fld;fis ,UtUk; nra;jdh;.

fp~;fpe;ij

,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; ,yq;if ,Uf;Fk; njd;jpirg; gf;fkhf ele;J te;jdh;. mg;NghJ fp~;fpe;ijia thyp vd;gtd; Mz;L te;jhd;. mf;fhL KOtJk; Fuq;Ffs; tho;e;J te;jd. mtw;wpd; murd; jhd; thyp. mtd; kpFe;j gyrhyp. khtPud;. mtid ahuhYk; Nghhpl;L nty;y KbahJ. mtNdhL Nehpy; Nghhpl;lhy; NghhpLgthpd; gyj;jpd; miuthrpg; gFjp thypf;Fr; nrd;W tpLk;. mg;gb xU tuj;ij mtd; ngw;wpUe;jhd;. mtd; xU ngUk; rptgf;jd;.

thypapd; jk;gp Rf;fphPtd;. thypapd; kfd; mq;fjd;.

Je;J}gp vd;w Xh; muf;fd; xUKiw thypAld; Nghhpl;lhd;. Je;J}gp vd;w muf;fd; khatpj;ijfs; nra;tjpy; ifNjh;;e;jtd;. mtd; epyik GhpahJ thypiag; NghUf;F mioj;jhd;.

Je;J}gp nghpanjhU Fifapy; tho;e;J te;jhd;. mjdhy; mtd; Fiff;Fs; ,Ue;jthNw NghUf;fhd miog;ig tpLj;jhd;. Fiff;Fs; thyp te;jJk; mtidj; je;jpukhff; nfhy;yj; jpl;lkpl;lhd;.

Je;J}gp Fiff;Fs; kiwe;jpUe;J NghUf;F mioj;jjhy; thyp Fiff;Fs; Eioe;jhd;. mg;NghJ jdJ jk;gpahd Rf;fphPtidf; Fifapd; thrypy; fhty; nra;AkhW fl;lisapl;L tpl;Lr; nrd;whd;.

gy ehl;fs; nrd;Wk; Fiff;Fs; ,Ue;J thyp jpUk;gp tutpy;iy. mjdhy; kpf;f Jd;gkile;j Rf;fphPtd; [hk;gthid mioj;J vd;d nra;ayhk; vd;W Nfl;lhd;. nghpath;fSld; MNyhrid elj;jpdhd;. Mdhy; KbntLf;f Kbatpy;iy.

rpy ehl;fs; fope;jd. xU ehs; thrypy; fhty; ,Ue;j Rf;fphPtd; Fifapd; cs;spUe;j ,uj;jk; Mwhfg; ngUfp te;jijf; fz;lhd;. Rf;fphPtd; [k;gthidAk; mDkhidAk; mt;t+h;g; nghpath;fisAk; mioj;J te;J fhl;bdhd;. mth;fs; Je;J}gp vd;w muf;fd; thypiaf; nfhd;W tpl;lhNdh vd;W mQ;rpr; rpyehl;fs; fhj;jpUe;jdh;. thyp tutpy;iy. mjdhy; me;j muf;fd; thypiaf; nfhd;W tpl;lhd; vd;W midtUk; jPh;khdpj;jdh;.

gyk; kpFe;j thypiaNa nfhd;w muf;fd; vjph;tUk; ehl;fspy; jk;ikAk; mt; muf;fd; nfhd;W tpLthd; vd epidj;J me;j Fifapd; thriyg; nghpanjhU ghiw xd;why; %b tpl;L ehl;Lf;Fj; jpUk;gpdh;.

34

thyp ,we;jikahy; me;ehl;Lg; nghpath;fs; Rf;fphPtid ehl;bd; mur gjtpia Vw;Wf;nfhs;Sk;gb tw;GWj;jpdh;. Rf;fphPtd; thyp capNuhL ,Ue;jhy; jd;idf; nfhd;W tpLthd; vdg; gae;J mij kWj;jhd;.

Rf;fphPtdpd; Ngr;irf; Nfl;f kWj;j nghpath;fs; vy;NyhUkhfr; Nrh;e;J Rf;fphPtDf;F Kb R+l;b itj;jdh;.

Fiff;Fs; Eioe;j thypiaj; jdJ khar; nray;fshy; gy tpj;ijfisf; fhl;bdhd; Je;J}gp. gy ,lq;fspy; khwp khwpj; Njhd;Wthd;. ,g;gbahf thypiag; gy topfshYk; Vkhw;wpdhd;. mjdhy; thyp kpfTk; rypg;gile;jhd;. rpy rkak; fLq;NfhgKw;whd;. rpy ehl;fs; Njhd;whJ kiwe;jpUe;j Je;J}gp md;W Gwg;gl;L te;j NghJ thyp kiwe;jpUe;jhd;. gy kzp Neukhf thypiaj; Njba Je;J}gp mtidf; fhzhikahy; mtd; jdf;Fg; gae;J nrd;W tpl;lhd; vd epidj;j NghJ vjph;ghuJ tpjkhf mtd; Kd;Njhd;wpa thyp mtidj; jdJ fjhAjj;jhy; mbj;Jf; nfhd;whd;. mtdJ clypUe;J ntspNawpa ,uj;jk; jhd; Fif thrypy; te;J epd;wJ.

gy ehl;fs; Je;J}gpNahL Aj;jk; nra;jjdhy; kpFe;j fisg;gile;jpUe;j thyp Fifapy; rpy ehl;fs; Xa;ntLj;j gpd; ntspNa te;j NghJ Fifapd; thry; nghpanjhU ghiwahy; milf;fg;gl;bUe;jijf; fz;L fLq;Nfhgq;nfhz;lhd;.

jd;idf; Fifapy; milj;J tpl;Lr; Rf;fphPtd; Ml;rpiaf; ifg;gw;wp tpl;lhd; vd;W thyp epidj;jhd;.

Fifia milj;j ghiwia tpyf;fp ntspNa te;j thyp thrypy; Rf;fphPtidf; fhzhikahy; fLq;NfhgKw;whd;.

mtd; muz;kidf;F te;j NghJ Rf;fphPtd; rpk;khrdj;jpy; ,Ue;jhd;. mijf; fz;L rpdKw;w thyp Rf;fphPtidj; jhf;fpdhd;. mq;fpUe;jth;fs; ele;j rk;gtq;fis thypf;Ff; $wpa NghJk; mij mtd; Vw;whJ Rf;fphPtidf; nfhy;y Kad;whd;. mjdhy; Rf;fphPtd; Xb kiwe;J tpl;lhd;. thyp Rf;fphPtdpd; kidtpiar; rpiwg;gpbj;Jj; jdJ kidtpahf;fpf; nfhz;lhd;.

Rf;fphPtd;> thyp jd;idf; nfhd;W tpLthd; vd epidj;J hprpaKf gh;tjk; vd;w kiyapy; cs;s Fif xd;wpy; kiwe;J tho;e;jhd;. mtDld; mDkhDk; [hk;gthDk; $l ,Ue;jdh;.

mg;gbr; Rf;fphPtd; thOk; NghJ xUehs; rPij jdJ Kd;jhidiaf; fpopj;J mjpy; jdJ eiffisf; fl;ba tPrpa nghjpiaf; Fuq;F xd;W vLj;J te;J Rf;fphPtdplk; nfhLj;jJ. mij thq;fpg; ghh;j;j Rf;fphPtd; ghJfhg;ghf itj;jhd;.

Fuq;F nfhz;L te;J eiffisf; nfhLj;j rpy ehl;fspd; gpd; ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; fp\;e;ijf;F te;jdh;.

,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; fz;l mDkhd; kfpo;r;rpg; ngUq;Fld; Xb te;J ,uhkdpd; ghjq;fisg; gw;wpdhd;. Mde;jf; $j;jhbdhd;. Xbdhd;. Js;spdhd;. ,uhkid tyk; te;J tzq;fpdhd;.

mDkdpd; gf;jpiaf; fz;L kfpo;e;j ,uhkd; mDkidf; fl;bj; jOtpdhd;. mth;fs; kfpo;Tld; ciuahbdh;. thduq;fs; mth;fSf;Fg; goq;fSk;> fha;fSk;> fpoq;FfSk; nfhz;L te;J nfhLj;jd. ,uhkUk; ,yl;RkzDk; mth;fspd; cgrhpg;ghy; kdk; kfpo;e;jdh;.

mjd; gpd; mDkhd; ,uhkidAk; ,yl;RkzidAk; Rf;fphPtdplk; mioj;Jr; nrd;W mwpKfg;gLj;jpdhd;.

Rf;fphPtd;> thyp jdf;Fr; nra;j nfhLikfis vLj;Jf; $wpj;jd;id thypaplkpUe;J fhg;ghw;WkhW Nfl;Lf;nfhz;lhd;.

,uhkdpd; tuyhw;iw kpFe;j ftiyAld; Nfl;l Rf;fphPtd; jhDk; thdu $l;lq;fSk; rPijia kPl;f cjTNthnkdf; $wpdhd;. ,uhkd; jd; kPJ Rf;fphPtd; nfhz;l md;Gf;fhfr; Rf;fphPtdpd; kidtpia kPl;Lj; jUNtd; vd;W $wpdhd;.

35

“Rf;fphPth> ,yl;Rkzidg; Nghy ePAk; vdJ rNfhjud; tUk; topapy; re;jpj;j Ffdpd; md;ig epidj;J kfpo;e;J mtid vdJ rNfhjudhf;fpNdd;. ,g;NghJ cdJ md;gpd; jd;ikia czh;e;J cd;idAk; vdJ rNfhjudhf Vw;Wf;nfhz;Nld;. ,g;NghJ vdf;F Ie;J rNfhjuh;fs;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;. mijf; Nfl;l Rf;fphPtDf;F nka;rpyph;j;jJ.

“,uhkh> thypiaf; nfhy;tnjd;gJ kpfTk; rpukkhd fhhpakhFk;. mtd; ngUk; gyrhyp. mj;Jld; mtNdhL Nehpy; Nghh; nra;a KbahJ” vd;W Rf;fphPtd; nrhd;dNghJ> “tPuDf;F tPud; itafj;jpy; cz;L. xU fhyj;jpy; ngUk; gzf;fhud; kWNtis gpr;irf;fhudhfyhk;. mJ Nghy gpr;irf;fhud; gzf;fhudhfyhk;. ,J fhy khWghL” vd;w ,uhkd; thypahy; nfhy;yg;gl;L vhpa+l;ba gpd; kiyNghyf; Ftpe;jpUe;j Je;J}gpapd; vYk;Gf; Ftpaiy fhyhy; vl;b cijj;jhd;. mit ntF J}uj;jpw;F mg;ghw; nrd;W kio Nghy tpOe;jd.

mLj;J thpirahf epd;w VO khkuq;fis jdJ Xh; mk;ghy; Jisapl;Lf; fhl;bdhd;. mijf; fz;l Rf;fphPtd; kpf;f kfpo;tile;J ,uhkdpd; jpwikiag; ghuhl;bdhd;.

“,uhkh> ehd; ,g;NghJ thypia type;J NghUf;F miof;fpNwd;. mJTk; cd;id ek;gp” vd;W $wpr; Rf;fphPtd; thypiag; NghUf;F mioj;jhd;.

me;j miog;gpdhy; kpFe;j rPw;wk; nfhz;l thyp NghUf;F te;jhd;. ,UtUk; fl;bg;Guz;L ky; Aj;jk; nra;jdh;. thyp gaq;fukhfj; jhf;fpdhd;. Rf;fphPtd; gytPdkile;jhd;. mjdhy; jg;gp Xb te;J ,uhkDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;>“,uhkh> cd;id ek;gpj;jhd; me;jf; nfhbatNdhL Aj;jk; nra;Njd;. Vd; eP vdf;F cjttpy;iy” vd;W tUj;jj;Jld; Nfl;lhd;.

“ePq;fs; ,UtUk; Njhw;wj;jpy; xUtiug; NghyNt ,Uf;fpwPh;fs;. mjdhy; ePq;fs; rz;ilapLk; NghJ vd;dhy; milahsk; fhz Kbatpy;iy. mjdhy; jhd; ehd; mk;G va;atpy;iy. ,g;Ngh eP milahsk; njhptjw;fhf xU khiyia mzpe;J nry;” vd;whd;.

Rf;fphPtd; kpf;f kfpo;tile;J khiyia mzpe;jhd;. gpd;G thypiag; NghUf;F mioj;jhd;>“Njhw;Wg; Ngha; jiy njwpf;f Xbatd; kPz;Lk; NghUf;F miof;fpwhdh? Kd;G mtid ehd; nfhd;wpUf;f Ntz;Lk;” vd;W ngUq;Nfhgk; nfhz;L Nghhpl te;jhd; thyp.

kpfTk; gaq;fukhfg; Nghh; eilngw;wJ. tPuhNtrj;Jld; thyp Nghhpl;lhd;. mg;NghJ Rf;fphPtd; jLkhwp epyj;jpy; tpOe;jhd;. mt;Ntis thyp jdJ fjhAjj;ijj; J}f;fpr; Rf;fphPtidj; jhf;f Kw;gl;lhd;.

mg;NghJ kiwe;jpUe;j ,uhkd; tpy;iy tisj;J thypapd; khh;igf; Fwpitj;J mk;ig tpl;lhd;. mJ tpiuthfr; nrd;W thypapd; neQ;irg; gpse;jJ. thyp mjph;r;rpAld; neQ;rpy; Vwp ,Ue;j mk;ig ,Oj;J ntspNa vLj;jhd;. mjpy; ,uhkdJ ngah; gjpf;fg;gl;bUe;jJ thypf;F Mr;rhpaj;ijAk; mjph;r;rpiaAk; nfhLj;jJ.

,uhkd; kiwtplj;jpypUe;J ntspg;gl;L thypapd; Kd; te;jhd;>“ahh; ,td;? Vd; vd;idf; nfhy;y Ntz;Lk;?” vd;W epidj;jthW ,uhkidg; ghh;j;jhd;>“ahh; eP. ehkpUtUk; rNfhjuh;fshdhYk; gifth;fs;. ehk; rz;ilapLk; NghJ xUtUf;Fr; rhh;ghf ,Ug;gJ NtW. kiwe;jpUe;J jhf;FtJ JNuhfr; nray;. eP tPudh? ,Jth cd; tPuk;” vd;W thapy; te;jgb Vrpdhd; thyp.

,uhkd; thyp nra;j Fw;wq;fis tpgukhff; $wpaNghJ thyp jhd; nra;jJ Fw;wk; jhd; vd;W xg;Gf; nfhz;lhd;.

36

“,uhkh> vdJ jk;gp Rf;fphPtd; ey;ytd;. Mdhy; tPud; my;y. mtDf;F KbR+l;bg; ghJfhg;ghf ,U. vdJ kfdpd; vjph;fhyj;ij cdJ ifapy; xg;gilf;fpNwd;. mtid ey;y Kiwapy; tsh;g;gJ cdJ nghWG;G” vd;W $wp caph;Jwe;jhd;.

rpy ehl;fs; fope;jJk; ,uhkd; Rf;fphPtDf;Ff; fp\;fpe;ij kd;ddhf KbR+l;b itj;jhd;.

murdhd Rf;fphPtd; thdug; gilapdiu mioj;Jj; jpwikahd gy tPuh;fisj; Njh;e;njLj;jhd;. mth;fis ehd;F FOtpduhfg; gphpj;jhd;. gpd; rPijiaj; Njb xt;nthU FOtpdiuAk; xt;nthU jpirf;F mDg;gp itj;jhd;.

,yq;ifia Nehf;fpr; nry;Yk; FOtpy; mDkhDk; mq;fjDk; [hk;gthDk; NkYk; gy tPuh;fSk; ,Ue;jdh;.

mDkhdpd; jiyikapy; ,yq;ifia Nehf;fpj; njd;jpirahfr; nrd;w FOtpdh; mg;gFjpapy; cs;s fhLfs; kiyfs; kw;Wk; ,lq;fisnay;yhk; mtjhdj;Jld; Njbdh;.

mth;fs; ftdkhfj; Njbagb flw;fiuia mile;jdh;. mg;gFjp NrJ vd;W miof;fg;gLk; gFjp. mJ ,yq;iff;Fk; fly; gFjpf;Fk; eLtpy; ,Ue;jJ.

fliyj; jhz;br; nrd;why; jhd; ,yq;ifia mila KbAk;. mjw;Fg; nghUj;jkhdtd; mDkhd; vd;W [hk;gthd; jPh;khdpj;J mDkid ,yq;iff;Fr; nrd;W rPijiaj; NjLkhW nrhd;dhh;.

37

thAgfthdpd; Gj;jpudhd mDkhd; gy mjPj jpwikfisf; nfhz;ltd;. mtd; gwitiag; Nghy thdpy; gwf;ff; $ba ty;yik cs;std;. vy;NyhhpdJk; tpUg;gj;ij Vw;W mDkhd; Mfhakhh;f;fkhf ,yq;ifia Nehf;fpg; Gwg;gl;lhd;. Gwg;gl;l rpy kzp Neuj;Js; mDkhd; ,uhtzdpd; muz;kid mike;j Nfhl;il thrypy; ,wq;fpdhd;.

Nfhl;ilapd; thriyg; gy muf;fh;fs; fhty; nra;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;. xt;nthUthpd; ifapYk; MAjq;fs; ,Ue;jd. kpfTk; gUj;j cliy cila mth;fs; Nfhl;il thriy kpfTk; mtjhdj;Jld; ghJfhj;jdh;.

mDkhidf; fz;l thapw;fhtyh; mtid cs;Ns nry;ytplhJ jLj;jdh;. mjdhy; Nfhgk; nfhz;l mDkhd; thapw; fhtyh; midtiuAk; nfhd;W tpl;L cs;Ns nrd;whd;.

cs;Ns nrd;w mDkhd; me;efhpd; fl;llq;fisg; ghh;j;jhd;. mit thid Kl;Lk; gbahf cah;e;jpUe;jd. jpUk;gpa gf;fnky;yhk; mofpa g+ kuq;fs;. tpjk; tpjkhd mofpa g+f;fis cila kuq;fs;.

mtw;iw ,urpj;Jg; ghh;j;jgb cs;Ns nrd;whd; mDkhd;. ,uhtzdpd; muz;kidg; gf;fk; te;jhd;. kpfTk; caukhd mofpa muz;kid mJ. nghd;idg; Nghyg; gsgsj;jJ. muz;kidf;F Kd;ghf ,Ue;j mofpa kzp kz;lgj;Js; muf;fh;fs; Mbg;ghb kfpo;e;J nfhz;bUe;jdh;. vq;Fk; nry;tr; nropg;Gj;njd;gl;lJ.

mDkd; ,uTNtis te;jikahy; rPijia tpbe;j gpd;G NjLNthk; vd epidj;jhd;. ,utpYk; muz;kid gfy; Nghyf; fhzg;gl;lJ. muz;kid vq;Fk; xspg;gpufhrkhf ,Ue;jJ.

mDkd; gfy; ,uthfr; rPijiaj; Njbdhd;. mtisf; fhztpy;iy. ,uhtzd; ghjhsr; rpiwapy; rPijia kiwj;J itj;jpUg;ghNdh vd;W vz;zpdhd;. me;j vz;zk; mtDf;Fg; ngUe;Jaiuf; nfhLj;jJ. vdpDk; kdk; jsutpy;iy. mjdhy; mtd; njhlu;e;J Njbdhd;.

vjphpy; Xh; mofhd Nrhiy njd;gl;lJ. mjw;Fs;r; nrd;W Njlj; njhlq;fpdhd;. mq;F xU nghpa kuj;jpd; mbapy; xU ngz; NrhfNk cUthf mkh;e;jpUg;gijf; fz;lhd;. mtsJ Kfk; tPq;fpf; fWj;jpUe;jJ. fz;fshy; fz;zPh; tope;J nfhz;bUe;jJ. mtsJ Njhw;wj;ij; ghh;j;jhy; rPij Nghy; ,Ue;jJ.

me;jg; ngz; ftiyNahL ,Ue;jhYk; mofhf ,Ue;jhs;. nky;ypa cliy cilatshf ,Ue;jhs;. mj;Jld; jiytphpNfhykhfTk; ,Ue;jhs;. mtisr; Rw;wp kpfTk; gUj;j cliy cila gy ngz;fs; ,Ue;jdh;. mth;fsJ cUt mikg;gpy; ,Ue;J mth;fs; muf;fpfs; vd;W mDkd; czh;e;J nfhz;lhd;.

mDkd; jd;id xU rpW Fuq;fhf khw;wpf; nfhz;L rPij ,Uf;Fk; kuj;jpd; Nky; te;J mkh;e;jhd;. mts; jhd; rPij vd;W czh;e;J nfhz;l mDkd; fhtYf;F ,Uf;Fk; muf;fpah; epj;jpiuahFk; tiu nghWj;jpUe;jhd;.

mth;fs; epj;jpiuahdJk; mDkhd;> “uhk;.. uhk;..uhk;..” vd ,uhk ehkj;ijg; gf;jpAld; nkJthf cr;rhpj;jhd;. jpBnud;W jdJ fzthpd; ehkk; Nfl;fpwNj. ,J fzth; ,y;iy mRuh;fspd; khakh vd;W rpe;jpj;Jg; gae;jhs; rPij.

mts; rpiwg;gl;l ehspypUe;J jpdKk; muf;fpfs; gy khaq;fisr; nra;J mtis kdkhw;wk; nra;a Kad;wdh;. mJ Nghyj; jhd; ,JTk; vd;W epidj;jhs; rPij.

38

mg;NghJ mDkd; ,uhkehkj;ij cr;rhpj;jthW kuj;jpy; ,Ue;J Fjpj;Jr; rPijapd; mUNf te;J tzq;fpdhd;. rPij mJ muf;fh;fspd; khak; vd;Nw epidj;jhs;. mDkd; jdJ cz;ikahd cUtj;ij vLj;jhd;.

“jhNa> gag;glhjPh;fs;. ehd; ,uhkgpuhdpd; J}Jtd;. thAgfthdpd; Gj;jpud;. vdJ ngah; mDkd;. jq;fspd; gf;jd;. jq;fsJ fztUk; ,yl;RkzDk;> Rf;fphPtdpd; muz;kidapy; jq;fpapUf;fpd;wdh;. vkJ muruhd Rf;fphPtd; jdJ gilfis mDg;gpj; jq;fisj; NjLk;gb gzpj;Js;shh;. mjdhy; jhd; ehk; njd;jpirahfj; Njb ,yq;iff;F te;Njhk;. vd;Dld; te;jth;fs; flypd; mf;fiuapy; cs;sdh;. ,J ,uhkgpuhd; je;j Kj;jpiu Nkhjpuk;” vd;W $wpa mDkhd; ,uhkd; nfhLj;j Nkhjpuj;ijr; rPijaplk; nfhLj;jhd;.

mij thq;fpg; ghh;j;j rPij. mJ jdJ fzthpd; Nkhjpuk; vd;gij czh;e;J kfpo;Tld; jdJ fzfspy; xw;wpf; nfhz;L tpk;kp tpk;kp mOjhs;.

“jhNa> vjw;Fk; mQ;rhjPh;fs;. ehd; jq;fspd; ,Ug;gplj;ij mwpe;J tpl;Nld;. ,g;nghONj ehd; nrd;W ,uhkgpuhDf;Fr; nra;jpiar; nrhy;Ntd;. mth; giliaj; jpul;b te;J ,uhtNzhL Nghuhb mtidf; nfhd;W jq;fis kPl;ghh;. ,J cWjp” vd;whd; mDkd;.

Kj;jpiu Nkhjpuj;ijf; fz;ljhYk;> mDkhd; $wpa cWjp nkhopia ek;gpajhYk; rPijapd; kdk; njsptile;jJ. jdJ fztd; jd; kPJ itj;jpUf;Fk; ghrj;jhy; mth; clNd Gwg;gl;L te;J jd;id kPl;ghh; vd;W cWjpahf ek;gpdhs;.

rPij itj;jpUe;j R+lhkzpia mDkdplk; nfhLj;J jd;idf; fz;ljd; milahsg; nghUshf mijj; jdJ fztdplk; nfhLf;FkhW nrhd;dhs;.

mDkhd; jd; jpwikiaf; fhl;ly;

rPijaplkpUe;J kfpo;Tld; tpilngw;w mDkhd; jhd; ,yq;iff;F te;J nrd;wij muf;fh; gaj;Jld; czu Ntz;Lk; vd;W epidj;jhd;. jhd; ngUk; gyrhypnad;gijf; fhl;bdhy; tug;NghFk; Mgj;ij epidj;J muf;fh;fs; gag;gLthh;fs;. mjdhy; rPijiaf; nfhLikg;gLj;j khl;lhh;fs; vd;Wk; mDkhd; epidj;jhd;.

me;j vz;zk; te;jTld; kpFe;j Nfhgq;nfhz;L mNrhf tdj;ij mopf;fj; njhlq;fpdhd;. mq;F epd;w kuq;fisg; gpLq;fp te;j mRuh;fisj; jhf;fpdhd;. mDkhidf; fl;Lg;gLj;j Kbahj muf;fh;fs; ,uhtzdplk; mij Kiwapl;ldh;.

“Fuq;fh..? kpfg; nghpa Fuq;fh.. xU Fuq;ifg; gpbj;Jf; nfhy;y Kbahj ePq;fs; tPuh;fsh? ehd; nrd;W me;jf; Fuq;ifg; gpbj;J tUfpNwd;” vd;W Nfhgj;Jld; Gwg;gl;lhd; ,uhtzdJ kfd; ml;raFkhud;. mtdpd; gpd;dhy; Vuhskhd muf;fh;fs; MAjq;fSld; nrd;wdh;.

mofhf ,Ue;j mNrhftdk; rpijf;fg;gl;bUe;jJ. mijf; fz;L fLq;Nfhgq; nfhz;l ml;raFkhud; mDkidg; gpbf;Fk;gb fl;lisapl;lhd;. muf;fh; gil mDkhidg; gpbf;f neUq;fpa NghJ mDkhd; mq;fpUe;j xU nghpa kuj;ij NtUld; gpLq;fpj; jd;idg; gpbf;f te;j muf;fh;fisj; jhf;fpdhd;. gy muf;fh;fs; nfhy;yg;gl;ldh;. E}w;Wf;fzf;fhNdhh; fhaKw;wdh;.

ml;raFkhud; mijf; fz;L ngUq;Nfhgq; nfhz;L>“Fuq;ifg; gpbj;Jf; nfhy;Yq;fs;” vd;W fl;lisapl;lgb mDkhdpd; mUNf te;jhd;. muf;fh; gyh; mDkidr; Rw;wp epd;wdh;. mDkDf;Ff; Nfhgk; vy;iy kPwpaJ. jd;idj; jhf;fpa ml;raFkhuid mbj;Jf; nfhd;whd;. muf;fh;fs; jpifj;J epd;wdh;. ngUk; gyrhypahd ml;raFkhuidf; nfhd;w Fuq;F jk;ikAk; nfhd;W tpLnkd;W epidj;j muf;fh;fs; rpjwp Xbdh;.

39

ml;raFkhud; nfhy;yg;gl;l nra;jpia muf;fh; %yk; mwpe;j ,uhtzd; nfhjpj;njOe;jhd;. mg;NghJ ,uhtzdpd; %j;j kfdhd ,e;jp[pj;>“je;ijNa> me;j thduj;ijf; nfhy;y ePq;fs; nry;y Ntz;lhk;. ehd; nrd;W me;jf; Fuq;ifg; gpbj;J tUfpNwd;” vd;W MNtrkhff; $wp tpl;Lr; nrd;whd;. mtdpd; gpd; gy muf;fh;fs; MAjq;fSld; nrd;wdh;.

te;jtd; ,uhtzdpd; kfd; ,e;jpu[pj; vd;W mRuh;fs; NfhrnkOg;gpajd; %yk; njhpe;J nfhz;l mDkd; xU jpl;lj;ij tFj;J mtdplk; gpbgl;lhd;. mjd; %yk; mDkd; ,uhtzidr; re;jpf;fyhnkd;W vz;zpdhd;. mtdJ vz;zk; epiwNtwpaJ. ,e;jpu[pj; mDkidf; fl;b ,Oj;Jr; nrd;W ,uhtzdJ murrigapy; tpl;lhd;. murrigf;F te;jJk; mDkd; jdJ cUtj;ijg; nghpjhf;fpdhd;. mj;Jld; epy;yhJ jdJ thyhy; xU nghpa rpk;khrdk; mikj;J mjw;F Nky; Vwp ,Ue;jhd;.

,uhtzdpy; ghh;f;f cah;e;j thyhyhd rpk;khrdj;jpy; ,Ue;J nrhd;dhd;>“,uhtzNd> ehd; ,uhkdpd; J}Jtd; mDkd;. eP xU tPudhf ,Ue;jpUe;jhy; ,uhkd; ,y;yhj Ntis ghh;j;J te;J fglehlfkhbr; rPijiaf; fth;e;J te;jpUg;ghah? tPuh;fs; NeUf;F Neh; epd;W Nkhjp ntw;wpaila Ntz;Lk;. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; tPukuzk; miljy; Ntz;Lk;. mJ jhd; tPuDf;F moF. ,g;nghOJ $lf; fhyq; fle;J tpltpy;iy. rPijia ,uhkdplk; xg;gilj;J tpl;L kd;dpg;Gf;Nfs;. mth; cd;id kd;dpg;ghh;” vd;whd; mDkhd;.

,uhtzd; mijf;Nfl;Lf; Nfhgk; nfhz;L fj;jpdhd;>“,e;jf; Fuq;iff; nfhy;Yq;fs;” vd;W muf;fg; gilf;Ff; fl;lisapl;lhd;.

mijf; fz;L ftiy nfhz;l ,uhtzdpd; jk;gpahd tpgPrdd;>“mz;zh> J}Jtidf; nfhy;tJ Kiway;y. mJ ngUk; gopia cz;lhf;Fk;. mj;Jld; jhq;fs; nra;jJ ngUe;jtW. ,d;ndhUtdpd; kidtpiaf; fth;tJ ePjpahfhJ. mjdhy; mDkd; nrhd;dgb rPijia tpLtpAq;fs;” vd;whd;.

mijf; Nfl;lJk; ,uhtzdpd; Nfhgk; gy klq;F mjpfhpj;jJ>“vdJ tpUg;gj;ijg; gpioahdJ vd;W nrhy;y ahUf;Fk; chpikapy;iy. vdJ jk;gp vd;w gbahy; cd;id capUld; tpLfpNwd;. jg;gpj;Jg; Ngh. ,dpNky; ,g;gbg; NgrhNj” vd;wtd; muf;fh;fspd; gf;fk; jpUk;gp>“,e;jf Fuq;ifg; gpbj;J mjd; thypy; rPiyiar; Rw;wp mjpy; vz;nza; tpl;Lf; nfhOj;Jq;fs;” vd;whd;.

muf;fh; gil mDkidg; gpbj;jJ mjd; thypy; ,uhtzd; nrhd;dJ Nghy Jzpiar; Rw;wp vz;nza; tpl;l gpd; jPia itj;jdh;. jP mjd; thypy; gw;wpg; nghpjhf vhpe;jJ.

mDkhd; kpFe;j kfpo;Tld; Mfhaj;jpy; gwe;J ,uhtzdpd; muz;kid kPJ jPia itj;jhd;. gpd;G ,uhtzdpd; Kf;fpakhd fl;llq;fSf;Fj; jP itj;jhd;. mjdhy; ,yq;if KOtJk; gw;wp vhpe;jJ. mij kfpo;Tld; ghh;j;Jr; rpy epkplq;fs; kfpo;e;j mDkhd; flw;fiuf;F te;J fly; ePhpy; jdJ thiy eidj;Jj; jPia mizj;jhd;.

mjd; gpd; Mfha topahf te;j mDkhd; Rf;fphPtdplk; te;J jhd; rPijiaf; fz;lijAk; mjd; gpd; ele;jijAk; $wpdhd;. ,uhkid tzq;fpa mDkhd;> rPij mNrhf tdj;jpy; ,Ue;j epiyia tpsf;fpf; $wpr; rPij nfhLj;j R+lhkzpia ,uhkdplk; nfhLj;jhd;. ,uhkd; mijg; ghh;j;Jr; rPijiaf; fz;lJ Nghy kfpo;e;jhd;.

Vida %d;W jpirfspYk; rPijiaj; Njbr; nrd;Nwhh;> rPijiaf; fhzhikahy; kpf;f Jauj;Jld; te;j NghJ mDkhd; jhd; rPijiaf; fz;lij kfpo;Tld; $wpf; nfhz;bUg;gijf; Nfl;L rPijiaf; fz;L gpbj;jhapw;W vd;W kfpo;e;jdh;.

40

rPij ,Uf;Fkplk; njhpe;jjhy; mtis tpiutpy; kPl;gjw;fhd eltbf;ifiar; Rf;fphPtd; Nkw;nfhz;lhd;. gilfs; jahuhfpd. MAjq;fs; jpUj;jg; ngw;wd.

mLj;j rpy jpdq;fspy; ngUk; thdug; gilAld; ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; njd; jpirahf ele;J flw;fiuia mile;J mq;F Kfhkpl;ld.

muf;fpapd; mr;rk;

mDkd; itj;j jPapdhy; ,uhtzdJ muz;kid gw;wp vhpe;jJ. mj;Jld; me;efuNk gw;wp vhpe;jJ. muf;fh;fs; jPia mizg;gjpy; <Lgl;bUe;jdh;. muf;fpfs; jpfpYld; nra;tjwpahJ jpifj;J epd;wdh;. rpWth; rpWkpfs; Ntbf;if ghh;j;jdh;. rpyh; gaj;jhy; mOjdh;.

vy;NyhUk; gaj;Jld; murrigf;F Xb te;jdh;. ,t;tsT fhyKk; kfpo;thf ,Ue;j mth;fSf;Fj; jkJ tPL thry;fSk; nghUl;fSk; vhpe;J rhk;gyhdJ kpFe;j mr;rj;ijf; nfhLj;jJ.

“,t;tsT fhyKk; ehq;fs; epk;kjpahfTk; kfpo;r;rpahfTk; tho;e;Njhk;. vkJ murh; xU nja;tg; ngz;izf; flj;jp te;j gpd;G jhd; ehk; vkJ re;Njhrj;ij ,oe;Njhk;. ,d;ndhUtdpd; kidtp kPJ Mirg;gLtJ gopahFk;. mijg; Nghy ngUk; ghtk; NtW vJTk; ,y;iy. ,J Muk;gk; ,d;Dk; vd;ndd;d elf;fg;Nghfpd;wdNth njhpahJ” vd;w ey;y FzKs;s muf;fh;fs; jkf;Fs;g; Ngrpf; nfhz;ldh;. mJ ,uhtzDf;Fj; njhpa te;jhy; jkJ caph; Ngha; tpLk; vd;W mth;fs; mQ;rpdh;.

,uhtzd; murrigiaf; $l;bdhd;. murrig $l;lg;gl;lhYk; mtd; ahhpd; nrhy;iyAk; Nfl;gjpy;iy vd;W vy;NyhUf;Fk; njhpAk;>“vdJ jiy efiuj; jPapl;Lf; nfhOj;jptpl;Lj; jg;gpr; nrd;w mDkidf; ifJ nra;J rpur;Nrjk; nra;jy; Ntz;Lk;. me;j ,dj;ijNa g+z;NlhL mopf;f Ntz;Lk;. Rf;fphPtidf; ifJ nra;J nfhy;y Ntz;Lk;. ngw;Nwhuhy; ntWf;fg;gl;L ehl;by; trpf;ff; $lhnjd;W ehL flj;jg;gl;l ,uhkidAk; mtdJ jk;gpiaAk; Nghhpl;L mopg;Nghk;” vd;W ,uhtzd; tPu Kof;fk; nra;jhd;.

muf;fh;fs; vy;NyhUk; mg;gbNa nra;Nthk; vd Nfhrkpl;ldh;. Mdhy;> ,uhtzdpd; jk;gpahd tpg+rzd; kpfTk; Neh;ikahdtd;. rptgf;jd;. jdJ rNfhjudhd ,uhtzd; nra;jJ kpfg; ngUe;jtnwd czh;e;jtd;. mtd; nrhd;dhd;>“mz;zh> jq;fis tzq;fp kpfTk; jho;ikahfr; nrhy;fpNwd;. jq;fis nty;yf; $ba xU gyrhyp %Tyfq;fspYk; ,y;iy. %TyifAk; mlf;fp %Tyfpw;Fk; murdhf ,Uf;fpwPh;fs;. Ntj rhj;jpuq;fisf; fw;wth;. gpukhtplkpUe;Jk; rptngUkhdplkpUe;Jk; mhpa gy tuq;fisg; ngw;wth;. Njth;fs; $lj; jq;fsJ Vtyh;fshf ,Ue;J ePq;fs; ,l;l Ntiyfisr; nra;fpwhh;fs;. ,t;tsT ngUikfis cila ePq;fs; ,d;ndhUtdpd; kidtpiar; rpiwg;gLj;jp itj;jpUg;gJ epahakhd nrayy;y. mjdhy; mtis tpLjiy nra;Aq;fs;” vd;whd; gzpthf.

rig kpfTk; mikjpahf ,Ue;jJ. tpg+rzd; nrhy;tijg; gyh; kdjstpy; Vw;Wf; nfhz;l NghJk; mij ntspNa nrhy;yg; gag;gl;ldh;.

,uhtzd; VNjh rpe;jpj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;. mjdhy; tpg+rzd; njhlu;e;J nrhd;dhd;>“mz;zh> kpFe;j gyrhypahd ePq;fs; Vd; R+o;r;rp nra;J rPijiaf; ftu epidj;jPh;fs;. ,d;ndhUthpd; kidtpia epidg;gNj ghtk;. mg;gbapUf;fj; jhq;fs; R+o;r;rp nra;J fth;e;J te;J rpiw itj;jJ vt;tsT jtW vd;W njhpAkh? mjdhy; jPuhj gop Vw;gLk;. mij ahUk; kd;dpf;f khl;lhh;fs;. rhp vd;Wk; nrhy;y khl;lhh;fs;. mjdhy; rPijia tpLtpj;J tpl;L ,uhkdplk; kd;dpg;Gf; NfSq;fs;. mjdhy; tutpUf;Fk; vy;yhg; gopfSk; ePq;Fk;. ePq;fSk; cj;jkuhtPh;fs;” vd;whd;.

tpg+rzdJ thh;j;ijfs; ,biag;Nghy ,uhtzdpd; fhjpy; Vwpd. mjdhy; kpfTk; nfhLikahd thh;j;ijfshy; mtidj; jpl;bdhd;.

41

,uhtzdpd; nrhw;fis kjpf;fhj tpg+rzd; nrhd;dhd;>“mz;zh> NkYk; NkYk; jtwhf vz;zpf; Nfhgk; nfhs;fpwPh;fs;. rptgf;jdhd jhq;fs; xU epkplk; Nkhf czh;it tpl;L tpl;L Nahrpj;Jg; ghUq;fs;” vd;W $Wk;NghJ ,uhtzd; kpf;f Nfhgk; nfhz;L>“jk;gp vd;W $lg;ghuhJ cd;idr; rpur;Nrjk; nra;Ntd;. mjw;F Kd; vd; Kd; epy;yhJ Xbg; Ngh. ,e;j ehl;il tpl;Lg; Nghdhy; jhd; cdJ caph; cd;NdhL ,Uf;Fk;” vd;W fj;jpdhd; ,uhtzd;.

rigNahh; nksdkhf ,Ug;gijf; fz;l ,uhtzd; nrhd;dhd;>“rigNahNu vdJ Nfhhpf;ifia Vw;Wtpl;ldh;. eP vd;id vjph;f;fpwhah? clNd ehl;il tpl;L ntspNaW” vd;whd;.

,dpNkYk; Gj;jpkjp nrhy;tjhy; gad; ,y;iy vd;W czh;e;j tpg+rzd; ehl;il tpl;L ntspNawpdhd;. mtDld; ey;y kdk; gilj;j mRuh;fs; gyUk; Nrh;e;J nfhz;ldh;. mth;fs; thdtPjpa+lhfr; nrd;W ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; jq;fpapUe;j flw;fiuia mile;jdh;. mq;F nrd;wJk; Xh; muf;fd; %yk; jhd; ahh; vd;Wk; vjw;fhf te;jpUf;fpd;Nwd; vd;Wk; nrhy;ypaDg;gpdhd;. tpg+rzDk; muf;fh;fSk; jd;dplk; ruzila te;jpUg;gij mwpe;j ,uhkd; Rf;fphPtidAk; [hk;gthidAk; mioj;J tpg+rzd; njhptpj;j fUj;ijr; nrhd;dhd;. mDkd; mijf; Nfl;lJk; rk;kjpj;jhd;. Rf;fphPtDk; [hk;gthDk; rk;kjpf;ftpy;iy. mJ muf;fh;fspd; R+o;r;rpnad;Nw ,UtUk; ek;gpdh;. ruziltJ Nghyr; ruzile;J tpl;Lg; gpd; vkJ eltbf;iffis ,uhtzDf;Ff; $Wk; R+o;r;rp jhd; ,J vd;W cWJpahfr; Rf;fphPtd; ek;gpdhd;. mjdhy; mth;fis Vw;ff; $lhnjd;W cWjpahfr; nrhd;dhd;.

,uhkDf;F vd;d nra;tnjd;W Ghpatpy;iy. Rf;fphPtd; nrhy;tJ cz;ikahf ,Uf;fyhk;. Kd;G ,yl;Rkzd; nrhd;dijf; Nfshikahy; jhd; ,e;epiy cz;lhdJ. ,JTk; R+o;r;rpahf ,Ue;jhy; kpfg; nghpa ghjpg;Gf;fs; tUk;. rPijiaAk; kPl;f Kbahky; NghFk; vd;W epidj;J ,uhkd; Fok;gpdhd;.

Fog;gk; jPuhj ,uhkd; mDkid mioj;J> “eP jhNd ,yq;if nrd;W te;jha;. cdf;F tpg+rzidg; gw;wp VjhtJ njhpAkh?” vd;W Nfl;lhh;.

“tpG+rzd; muf;fh; Fyj;jpy; gpwe;jtndd;whYk; ey;ytd;. Neh;ikahdtd; vd;W ,yq;iff;Fr; nrd;w NghJ Ghpe;J nfhz;Nld;. jhahd rPijiaf; flj;jpr; rpiw itj;jJ gpionad;W nrhy;gtd;. jpUkhypd; kPJ gf;jp nfhz;ltd;. mjdhy; mtid Vw;Wf; nfhs;tjhy; ed;ik cz;lhFNk jtpuj; jPik tuhJ” vd;whd; mDkd;.

mDkd; jPh;f;f jhprp. gpd; elg;gij Kd;Ng mwpe;J nrhy;gtd; vd;W Rf;fphPtDf;Fj; njhpAk;. mj;Jld; tpg+rzd; ey;ytd; vd;W njhpe;J jhd; Vw;whYk; kw;wth;fspd; vz;zj;ij mwptJ ey;ynjd;gjw;fhfNt ,uhkd; mth;fisf; Nfl;lhd;.

“gpuG mDkhdpd; nrhy; jtwhJ elf;Fk;. mtd; thAtpd; ike;jd;. Mifahy; tpg+rzizAk; $l te;j muf;fh;fisAk; ehk; Vw;fyhk;” vd;whd; Rf;fphPtd;.

“mg;gbah? mg;gbahdhy; ePNa nrd;W mth;fis mioj;J th” vd;W ,uhkd; nrhy;yr; Rf;fphPtd; kfpo;NthL nrd;whd;.

Rf;fphPtd; tpg+rzidAk; mth;fNshL $l te;jth;fisAk; md;Gld; Ngrp mioj;J te;J ,uhkdplk; xg;gilj;jhd;. tpg+rzd; Xb te;J ,uhkdpd; ghjq;fisj; njhl;L tzq;fpdhd;. gpd; vOe;j tpg+rzidf; fl;bj; jOtpdhd;> “tpg+rzNd> rNfhju ghrj;ij tpl ePjp jhd; Kf;fpakhdJ vd;W epidj;J cdJ rNfhjuid vjph;j;Jg; Ngrp tpl;L te;j cd;id ehd; kpfTk; tpUk;GfpNwd;. cdJ nfhs;ifAk; nray;fSk; vd;idf; fth;e;J tpl;ld. ,dp vk;NkhL kfpo;Tld; ,U” vd;whd; ,uhkd;. mijf; Nfl;L tpg+rzd; kpfTk; kfpo;e;jhd;.

42

“gpuG> ,dp ehd; cq;fs; nrhw;gb tho;Ntd;. vd;id mbikahf Vw;Wf; nfhs;Sq;fs;” vd;W tpg+rzd; nrhy;y ,uhkd; nrhd;dhd;> “rNfhjuh> ehd; ahiuAk; mbikfshf epidg;gjpy;iy. ,d;W Kjy; ePAk; vdJ rNfhjud;” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

“gpuG> mbikahf te;j vd;idr; rNfhjudhf Vw;Wtpl;Bh;fs;. ,ij ehd; vLf;Fk; gpwtpfs; NjhWk; kwf;f khl;Nld;” vd;whd; tpg+rzd;.

rpy ehl;fs;; fope;jJk; xU RgNtisapy; ,uhkDk; thdug;gilfSk; ,yq;iff;Fr; nry;tjw;fhd xU ghyj;ij mDkdpd; jiyikapy; thdug; gilapdh; mikj;jdh;. midtUk;>“uhk;.. uhk;..” vd;W $wpathW fw;fisf; nfhz;L ghyk; mikj;J Kbj;jdh;.

me;jg; ghyj;jpd; topahfr; nrd;w ,uhkDk; ,yl;RkzDk; thdug;gilfSk; mDkhDk; ,yq;ifia mile;J ,uhtzdJ Nfhl;iliar; Rw;wp tisj;jdh;.

,uhtzdJ Nfhl;ilia Kw;Wifapl;l thdug; gilfs; KuR> giw> nfhk;G> rq;F Kjypa fUtpfis ,irj;J MuthuQ; nra;jdh;.

mr;rj;jj;ijf; Nfl;l rPij jdJ fztd; gilfSld; jd;id kPl;f te;J tpl;lhnud;W epidj;J kpf;f kfpo;r;rp nfhz;lhs;.

tpg+rzdpd; kfs; jphpril vd;gts; jhd; rPijf;F MWjy; thh;j;ijfs; $wpf;nfhz;bUe;jts;. mts; vg;nghOJk; ,uhtzdpd; nray;fisf; fz;bj;Jg; NgRtJld; rPijf;F MjhuthfTk; ,Ue;jts;.

mts; te;J rPijf;F ele;jtw;iwnay;yhk; tphpthfr; nrhd;dhs;. mjdhy; rPij kfpo;Tld; ,Ue;jhs;.

,uhtzdpd; Nfhl;ilia Kw;Wifapl;l ,uhkd;> filrp Kiwahf ,uhtzd; jpUj;Jtjw;F xU re;jh;g;gk; nfhLf;f tpUk;gpdhd;. mtd; thypapd; kfdhd mq;fjid mioj;J Ngr Ntz;batw;iwf; $wp ,uhtzdplj;Jj; J}jhf mDg;gp itj;jhd;.

mq;fjd; ,uhkdpd; murrigia mile;jhd;. mtd; ,uhtzidr; re;jpj;Jr; nrhd;dhd;>“muNr> ehd; thypapd; kfd; mq;fjd;. vd;id ,uhkgpuhd; jq;fsplk; rpy nra;jpfisr; nrhy;Yk;gb mDg;gp itj;Js;shh;. NghUf;nfd;W te;j gpd; rkhjhdg; Ngr;rh vd;W epidg;gPh;fs;. ,uhkgpuhd; md;G kakhdth;. vjphpfSf;Fk; Jd;gk; nra;a tpUk;ghjth;. eP nra;jJ kfhjtW. ,Ug;gpDk; mijj; jahs rpe;ijAld; kd;dpf;fj; jahuhf ,Uf;fpwhh;. mjdhy; eP rpiw itj;jpUf;Fk; rPjh gpuhl;bia tpLjiy nra;J ,uhkgpuhdplk; xg;gilj;J tpl;L kd;dpg;Gf; Nfs;” vd;whd;.

“mq;fjh> cdJ je;ijia ,uhkd; kiwe;jpUe;J nfhd;wtd;. mg;gbahd jPatDf;Fr; rhh;ghfg; Ngr vg;gb cdf;Fj; JzpT te;jJ. vd;Dld; Nrh;. cdJ je;ijiaf; nfhd;wtidf; nfhy;Nthk;” vd;whd; ,uhtzd;.

“vdJ je;ij cd;idg; Nghd;w jtiwr; nra;jikahy; jhd; ,uhkgpuhd; mtiuf; nfhd;whh;. mth; ,wf;F Kd; vd;id ,uhkgpuhdplk; xg;gilj;J vdJ tho;it Nkk;gLj;Jk; gb $wptpl;Lj; jhd; ,we;jth;. mjdhy; tPzhz Ngr;ir tpl;L tpl;L cdJ jtWf;F kd;dpg;Gf; Nfs;. ,y;yhtpl;lhy; vdJ je;ijapd; epiy jhd; cdf;Fk; Vw;gLk;” vd;whd; mq;fjd;.

,uhtzd; mq;fjdJ Ngr;irf; NfshJ nrhd;dhd;>“Nghh; vd;W te;j gpd; Nghiuf; fz;L gak; nfhs;tJ tPuh;f;fofy;y. NghUf;F ehd; jahh; vd;W cdJ ,uhkdplk; Ngha;r; nrhy;” vd;whd; ,uhtzd;.

Nghh; Muk;gk;

43

mq;fjd; ,uhkdplk; te;J nrhd;dhd;>“gpuG> mtd; cz;ikahd muf;fd;. mjdhy; ePjp epahaj;ijr; nrtpkLf;fpwhd; ,y;iy. jq;fsJ ngUikfisAk; czh;fpwhdpy;iy. ehk; ,Wjp Neuj;jpy; J}J mDg;gpajhy; mij mtd; gytPdkhff; fUJfpwhd;. Nghhpy; Njhw;WtpLtijj; jtph;f;fNt ehk; J}J mDg;gpNdhk; vd;W vz;Zfpwhd;” vd;whd;.

Nghh; Muk;gkhdJ. thdu tPuh;fs; Nfhl;ilfisAk; nfhj;jdq;fisAk; mopj;J mf;fw;fshy; mfopfis %bdh;. ,e;jpu[pj; mq;fjNdhL Nghuhbdhd;. mtdhy; mq;fjdpd; jhf;Fjy;fisr; rkhspf;f Kbahjjhy; ehfh];jpuj;ij Vtpdhd;. mij VtpaJk; Mapuf;fzf;fhd ehfq;fs; te;J thdu Nridiar; Rw;wpj; jhf;fpd. mq;fjd; nra;tjwpahJ ,uhkid epidf;f fUld; mt;tplj;Jf;F te;jhd;. fUlidf; fz;l ehfq;fs; jg;gpdhy; NghJnkd;W Xb kiwe;jd.

mjd; gpd; mq;fjdpd; jhf;Fjiyr; rkhspf;f KbahJ ,e;jpu[pj; jg;gp Xbdhd;. mij mwpe;J ngUe;Jauq; nfhz;l ,uhtzd; Jk;uhl;rd;> tr;ujk;];l;ud;> gpuf];jd; Mfpa gyk; nghUe;jpa muf;fh;fisg; gilAld; mDg;gpdhd;. mth;fs; ahUk; jpUk;gp tuhikahy; kpf;f Nfhgk; nfhz;l ,uhtzd; ngUk; muf;fg; gilAld; Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;F te;jhd;. mtd; Aj;jk; nra;J nfhz;bUf;Fk; NghJ mDkd; te;J ,uhtzdpd; khh;gpy; ifahy Fj;jpdhd;. mtd; epiy Fiya mtdJ fphPlj;jpYk; khh;gpYk; Fj;jpdhd;. gpd;>“cd;idf; nfhy;y vdJ gpuGNjitapy;iy. ehNd nfhd;WtpLNtd;. Mdhy; ,uhkgpuhd; rPijiaf; flj;jpaikahy; fLQ;rPw;wk; nfhz;Ls;sikahy; mth; cd;idj; jz;bj;jy; Ntz;Lk;” vd;W $wptpl;Lr; nrd;whd;.

mg;NghJ gilAld; mq;F te;j ,uhkd; ,uhtzdJ Njiuj; jhf;fp cilj;jhd;. mtdJ tpy;ypd; ehiz cilj;jhd;. Njh;g;ghfidAk;> FjpiufisAk; nfhd;whd;. ngUk; gilAld; te;j ,uhtzd; ahtw;iwAk; ,oe;J jdpahf epd;whd;.

“,uhtzNd> fhiyapy; ngUk; gilAld; te;jha;. jw;nghOJ vy;yhtw;iwAk; ,oe;J jdpadhf epw;gijg; ghh;f;f vdf;Fj; Jaukhf cs;sJ. ,g;nghOJ kpfTk; ,yFthf cd;idf; nfhy;y vd;dhy; KbAk;. gilAld; te;j cd;idj; jdpikg;gLj;jpa gpd; nfhy;tJ murjh;kk;. Mdhy; eP jpUe;Jtjw;F xU tha;g;Gj; jUfpNwd;. muz;kidf;Fr; nrd;W eP nra;j nray;fs; ePjpahdjh vd;W rpe;jpj;Jg; ghh;. cdJ jtiw czh;e;jhy; ehd; cd;id kd;dpg;Ngd;. eP jtW nra;atpy;iynad;why; ehisf;Fg; gilAld; th” vd;whd; ,uhkd;.

,uT KOtJk; J}f;fkpy;yhjpUe;J Nahrpj;j ,uhtzd; kWehs; jdJ jk;gpahd Fk;gfh;zidg; NghUf;F mDg;g epidj;jhd;. Fk;gfh;zd; MW khjq;fs; J}f;fj;jpy; ,Ug;ghd;. kpFjp MW khjq;fs; tpopj;jpUg;ghd;. Aj;jk; eilngw;w NghJ Fk;gfh;zd; cwf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;jhd;.

ngUk; cwf;fj;jpy; ,Ue;j Fk;gfh;zid mRu gilfs; kpfTk; rpukg;gl;L vOg;gpd. mtd; J}f;ff; fyf;fj;Jld; murrigf;F te;jhd;. ,uhtzd; ele;jtw;iw tpgukhfr; nrhy;yp ,uhkNdhL Aj;jk; nra;AkhW gzpj;jhd;.

Fk;gfh;zd; muf;fdhdhYk; ePjpahdtd;. mtd; nrhd;dhd;> “mz;zh> cd;id tplg;gyrhyp %TyfpYk; ,y;iy. mj;Jld; eP rpwe;j rptgf;jh;. Ntj cgepljq;fisf; fw;wtd;. mg;gbahd cdf;F ,d;ndhUtdpd; kidtp kPJ fhkk; nfhs;tJ jtW vd;W njhpatpy;iyah? vj;jifa gyrhypahdhYk; mtd; ePjpf;F khwhf ele;jhy; nja;tj;jhy; jz;bf;fg;gLthd; vd;gJk; cdf;Fj; njhpahjh? ,g;nghOJ cdJ gps;isfs;> jsgjpfs;> Nghh; tPuh;fs; ahtw;iwAk; ,oe;J tpl;lha;. cdJ vjphp cd;dpYk; gyk; kpf;ftd; vd;W Ghpatpy;iyah? New;Nw mtd; cd;idf; nfhd;wpUf;fyhk;. vjphpapd; jhf;Fjyhy; vjph;g;gtd; MAjk; ,og;ghd;. mjw;fhfj; jhd; Nghh; elf;fpwJ. Mdhy; ,uhkd; cd;idf; nfhy;yhJ cdJ jtiw czu itf;f cd;id capUld; mDg;gpAs;shd;. ,jw;Fg; gpd;Gk; eP Nahrpf;fhtpl;lhy; kuzj;ij kfpo;Tld; tpUk;Gfpwha; vd;gNj mh;j;jk;” vd;W nrhy;Yk; NghJ ,uhtzd; FWf;fpl;Lf; Nfhgj;Jld; Vrpdhd;.

44

“Fk;gfh;zh> cdJ cgNjrk; vdf;Fj; Njitapy;iy. NghUf;Fr; nrd;W ,uhkidf; nfhy;. ,J vdJ fl;lis” vd;whd; ,uhtzd;.

Fk;gfh;zd; vJTk; NgrhJ gilAld; Nghh;f; fsj;Jf;Fr; nrd;whd;. Fk;gfh;zidf; fz;lTld; tpg+rzd; ,uhkDf;Fr; nrhd;dhd;>“gpuG> ,td; vdJ ,isa rNfhjud; Fk;gfh;zd;. mtd; vd;idg; Nghd;wtd;. mz;zdpd; fl;lisf;Fg; gae;J te;jpUf;fpwhd; mtid vk; gf;fk; Nrh;f;fyhk;. ehd; nrd;W mtDld; Ngr mDkjpAq;fs;” vd;whd;.

jdJ mUfpy; te;J tzq;fp epd;w tpg+rzidg; ghh;j;J Fk;gfh;zd; kpFe;j Jf;fj;Jld; nrhd;dhd;> “jk;gp> eP vjphpapd; gf;fk; Nrh;e;J tpl;lhah? mz;zd; nra;jJ kfh jtW. New;W ,uhkd; nrhd;dijf; Nfl;lhtJ jpUe;jpapUf;fyhk;. mthpd; kuzj;ijj; jLf;f KbahJ. cd;idg; nghWj;jtiu eP vLj;j KbT rhpahdJ. jPanray;fisr; nra;gtDf;Fg; Gj;jp Gfl;l Ntz;Lk;. ehd; miuthrpf; fhyj;ij cwq;fpf; fopj;J tpl;Nld;. mt;Ntis vd;idf; ftdpj;J cztspj;Jg; ghJfhj;j mz;zd; jPatdhf ,Ue;jhYk; mtDf;fhfg; NghuhLNtd; vd;W cWjpaspj;J tpl;L te;Njd;. mij kWf;f Kbatpy;iy. kuzk; vg;NghJk; tUk;. vg;gbAk; tUk;. mjdhy; mz;zDf;fhg; Nghuhl KbT nra;J tpl;Nld;. Mifahy; cdJ gf;fk; tuKbahikf;fhf tUe;JfpNwd;. eP Ngh” vd;whd; Fk;gfh;zd;.

Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;F te;j Fk;gfh;zd; thdur; Nridfis kpfTk; nfh^ukhfj; jhf;fpdhd;. thdug; gilfspd; ngUk; gFjp mope;jJ. gyh; fhaKw;wdh;. VidNahh; gae;J Xbdh;. mg;NghJ mq;Nf te;j ,uhkd; rf;jp tha;e;j mk;ig tpl mJ Fk;gfh;zdpd; khh;igg; gpse;jJ. Fk;gfh;zd; epyj;jpy; tpOe;J caph; Jwe;jhd;.

Fk;gfh;zd; ,we;j nra;jpiaf; Nfl;l ,uhtzd; kpFe;j Jauj;Jld; ,Ue;j NghJ mtdJ kfdhd ,e;jpu[pj; je;ijapd; Jauj;ijf; fz;L kdk; tUe;jp mtDf;F MWjy; $wptpl;Lg; Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;Fr; nrd;whd;.

,e;jpu[pj; rpwe;j tPud;. ijhparhyp. khahahyq;fs; nra;tjpy; ty;ytd;. tpz;zpYk; epd;W NghuhLk; ty;yik cs;std;. mtdJ jiyikapy; Mapuf;fzf;fhd mRuh;fs; te;J thdur; Nridia %h;f;fj;jdkhfj; jhf;fpdh;. thdur; Nridfs; mope;jd. gyh; jg;gp Xbdh;. mg;NghJ mtid vjph;j;J ,yl;Rkzd; Nghhpl;lhd;. Nghh; kpfTk; cf;fpukhf eilngw;wJ. ,e;jpu[pj; ,yl;Rkzidf; fLikahfj; jhf;fpdhd;. mtdJ jhf;Fjiy ,yl;Rkzd; vspjpy; Kwpabj;J cf;fpukhfj; jhf;fpdhd;. mjdhy; ,e;jpu[pj; thdpy; jdJ NjUld; vOe;J kiwe;J epd;W Nghhpl;lhd;.

thdpy; epd;W Nghhpl;l ,e;jpu[pj; jhd; itj;jpUe;j gpuk;kh];jpuj;ij vLj;J tpl;lhd;. mJ er;R MAjk;. mjpypUe;J ntspg;gl;l er;Rg;Gifiar; Rthrpj;jjhy; ,uhkUk; ,yl;RkzDk; thduNridfSk; kaq;fpr; rha;e;jd. mijf; fz;l ,e;jpu[pj; ngU kfpo;T nfhz;L je;ijaplk; nrd;W ele;jtw;iwf; $wpdhd;. mjdhy; ,uhtzd; ngU kfpo;r;rp nfhz;lhd;.

mijf; fz;L kpf;f Jauq;nfhz;l [hk;gthd;> mDkid mioj;J> “mDkhd;> ,uhkUk; ,yl;RkzDk; gil tPuh;fSk; ,e;jpu[pj;jpd; er;rk;ghy; kaf;fkile;J tpl;ldh;. mk;kaf;fj;ijj; jPh;f;ff; $ba kUe;J rQ;rPtpahFk;. mJ ,q;fpUe;J VO rhfuq;fSf;F mg;ghy; cs;s xrjp kiyapy; cs;sJ. mij clNd nfhz;L th. jhkjkhFk; xt;nthU epkplKk; Mgj;jhdJ”vd;whh;.

xrjp kiyia mile;j mDkd; rQ;rPtpr; nrbiaj; Njbg; ghh;j;jhd;. kiy KOtJk; Vuhskhd nrbfs; epd;wd. mjdhy; rQ;rPtpr; nrbia mDkhdhy; fz;L nfhs;s Kbatpy;iy. mjdhy; mtd; mk;kiyiaj; J}f;fpf; nfhz;L Nghh;f;fsj;Jf;F te;jhd;.

rQ;rPtpr; nrbapd; thrdd te;jJk; midtUk; Raepidtile;jdh;.

45

kWehs;f; fhiy ,uhkd; Nghh; Kof;fk; nra;jhd;. mjd; rj;jk; Nfl;L ,uhtzDk; ,e;jpu[pj;Jk; jpLf;fpl;L vOe;jdh;. er;Rg;Gifiar; Rthrpj;j vy;NyhUk; tpbaw;fhiyapy; ,we;jpUg;gh; vd;W epidj;j ,UtUf;Fk; Nghh; Kurpd; rj;jk; mr;rj;ijf; nfhLj;jJ.

Mj;jpuj;Jld; Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;F te;j ,e;jpu[pj; NtW tifahd khaq;fisr; nra;J Nghhpl;lhd;. Kd;ig tpl ,yl;Rkzd; cf;fpukhf ,e;jpu[pj;ijj; jhf;fpajhy; mtd; kuzkile;jhd;.

fsj;jpy; jk;gpfs;> gps;isfs;> jsgjpfs;> ngUk; gilfis ,oe;j ,uhtzd; caph;jg;gpa rpy E}W muf;fg;gilAld; Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;F te;jhd;.

mlf;f Kbahj ngUQ;rpdj;Jld; Nghh;f;fsj;jpw;F te;j ,uhtzd; Nguopit cz;lhf;ff; $ba MAjq;fis ,uhkd; kPJ Vtpdhd;. ,uhkd; gpukm];jpuk; vdg;gLk; typik kpf;f mk;gpidj; jdJ Nfhjz;lk; vd;w tpy;ypy; nghUj;jp ,uhtzd; kPJ va;jhd;.

jPiaf; ff;fpf; nfhz;L kpd;dy; Ntfj;jpy; rPwpf;nfhz;L nrd;w mt;thAjk; ,uhtzdpd; Njh;> nfhb> Kb> Fjpiufs; ahtw;iwAk; mopj;J tpl;L ,uhtzdJ neQ;rpy; GFe;J mijg; gpse;jJ. ,uhtzd; Ntuw;w kuk; Nghy epyj;jpy; rha;e;jhd;.

tpg+rzd; ,uhtzDf;Fr; nra;a Ntz;ba ,Wjpf; fphpiafis Kiwg;gb nra;jhd;.

jphprilAk; tpg+rzDk; mNrhf tdj;jpy; ,Ue;j rPijia mioj;J te;J ,uhkdplk; xg;gilj;jdh;. rPij ,uhkdJ neQ;rpy; Kfk; Gijj;J tpk;kp tpk;kp mOjhs;.

mg;NghJ ,uhkDf;Fg; gujd; nrhd;dJ Qhgfj;jpw;F te;jJ>“mz;zh> gjpd; ehd;F tUlq;fs; fope;jJk; ,q;F te;J muirg;nghWg;Ngw;f Ntz;Lk;. XhpU epkplq;fs; jhkjkhdhYk; ehd; jP %l;b mjpy; Fjpj;J tpLNtd;” vd;wtd;.

mjdhy; ,uhkd; mDkid mioj;J>“eP clNd mNahj;jpf;Fr; nrd;W gujDf;F vkJ tuit mwptp” vd;whd;.

clNd mDkd; thdtPjpA+lhf mNahj;jpf;Fg; Gwg;gl;lhd;.

xU ey;y ehspy; tpg+rzDf;F ,yq;if

kd;ddhf KbR+l;b itj;J tpl;L tpkhdj;jpy; Vwpg;Gwg;gl;lhd; ,uhkd;. mtDld; rPijAk;> ,yl;RkzDk;> [hk;gthDk; nrd;wdh;.

46

,uhkd; tuj; jhkjkhfpajhy; gujd; ftiyAld; jP%l;b mij tyk; te;jhd;. mg;NghJ thdpy; “uhk; uhk;” vd;W ,uhk ehkj;ij crr;rhpj;jthW mDkhd; te;J gujDf;F ,uhkdpd; tUifiaj; njhptpj;jhd;.

mijawpe;j gujd; mNahj;jp efiu myq;fhpf;FkhW fl;lisapl;lhd;. kf;fs; ,uhkd; tug;Nghfpwhd; vd mwpe;J efiu myq;fhpj;jdh;.

,uhkidf; fz;l mNahj;jp kf;fs; kfpo;Tld; Mbg;ghb ,uhkid tuNtw;wdh;.

rpyehl;fs; fopa te;j xU RgNtisapy; trpl;l Kdpth; ,uhkDf;F KbR+l;b itj;jhh;. mg;NghJ mDkhd; uhkdpd; jpUtbapy; mkh;e;jhd;. mq;fjd; cilthis Ve;jpathW ,uhkDf;F mUfpy; epd;whd;. gujd; ntz;nfhw;wf; nfhbiag; gpbj;jhd;. ,yl;RkzDk; rj;JUf;fDk; rhkiu tPrpdh;. rPij g+hpg;Gld; ,uhkidg; ghh;j;Jf; nfhz;L epd;whs;. Rf;fphPtd;> tpg+rzd;> [hk;gthd; MfpNahh; ,uhkid tzq;fpdh;. Nfhry ehL ,uhkdpd; Ml;rpf;F te;jJ.

Kw;Wk;.