The tiger has turned into a great nuisance. Humans are worried to no end. It started with cattle and then human beings too began to fall prey to the tigers. People brought out their sticks, their spears and their guns and killed the tiger. But then yet another tiger arrived. Finally, the humans approached God Almighty with an appeal.
“God Almighty! Do please save us from the tigers.”
God Almighty replied — “Okay.”
Soon after, the tigers showed up in the court of God Almighty with a complaint — “The humans have made our lives unbearable. We are running away from forest to forest. But the hunters are not leaving us in peace. Hey God Almighty, can’t you please find a remedy for this perilous situation?”
God Almighty replied – “Of course.”
Just then young Nerha’s mother appeared before God Almighty and prayed —“Baba, please make sure that my Nerha is blessed with a lovely young bride. Please, please dear God Almighty. I am offering you five paisa in obeisance.”
God Almighty replied – “Okay.”
Harihar Bhattacharyya addressed God Almighty on his way to court where his case was pending. “I have worshipped you all my life. My body has thinned on account of the fasts I kept. I want to give a proper lesson to my rascal of a nephew. Please do be my ally.”
God Almighty replied – “Okay.”
Sushil is preparing for an exam. He tells God Almighty everyday, “Dear God Almighty, do make sure that I pass.” Today he added — “God Almighty, if you can arrange for a scholarship for me, I will spend five rupees to distribute sweets I offer in your glory.”
God Almighty replied – “Okay.”
Haren Purakayastha desires to be the Chairman of the District Board. He approached God Almighty through an intermediary, a priest called Kali. “I need only eleven votes to win.” The priest, in lieu of a fat fee, chanted prayers in incorrect Sanskrit making God Almighty nearly lose his mind – “Votam dehi, votam dehi —”
God Almighty replied desperately – “Oh, okeigh, ohkeigh.”
The farmer raised his hands towards the sky and said — “God Almighty, give me water.”
God Almighty replied –”Okay.”
The mother of a sick child prayed to God Almighty–”Oh Lord, I have but a single child. Please don’t snatch it away.”
God Almighty replied – “Okay.”
Khenti pishi, the next door neighbour of the mother, said –”God Almighty, the slut is far too vain. She shows off new jewelry every other day and looks down on us all. You have shown endless mercy by catching hold of the child by his throat. Give the broad a proper lesson.”
God Almighty moaned – “Okay.”
The grim philosopher said – “God Almighty I wish to understand you.”
God Almighty warily responded – “Okay.”
China came up with a piercing cry – “Please save us from Japan Oh Lord.”
God Almighty replied – “Sure.”
A young man from Bengal caught hold of God Almighty– “No editor is accepting my submissions. I want to publish in ‘Prabasi’. Please tell Ramananda-babu to be kind to me.”
God Almighty replied – “I will.”
During a short break, God Almighty asked Brahma, who was sitting right next to him – “Do you have pure mustard oil at your home?”
Brahma said – “Yes, I do. But what’s the problem?”
God Almighty said – “I am in dire need of it. Can you spare some for me?”
Brahma. (Speaking hastily out of all five mouths) “I definitely can.”
Pure mustard oil arrived from Brahma’s home. Immediately, God Almighty put drops of mustard oil into his nostrils and fell into a deep slumber.
Till this day, we has not woken up from that slumber.
Translation-cum-transcreation of a classic Bengali flash fiction বিধাতা (bidhata) by Banaphool. The original version of The Neem Tree was also his creation.
[This a transcreation of an original story written by Banaphool. He is the same writer who had penned The Neem Tree. The present story in its original version was published by Gurudas Chattopaddhay and Sons in 1936 in a collection entitled Banaphhol-er Galpo (Banaphool’s Stories).]
A KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD 