Stories of Jivavarta: Prejudice

Read the revised edition: Stories of Jivavarta: The Cost of Prejudice (Revised Edition).

Zukula woke up, and yawned silently. As he opened his eyes, he saw his wife Jalaja preparing for his trip to the Vanpore market. She had already taken out the morning catch of fresh fish from the small pond in front of their hut.

"Get up,” said Jalaja. “You are already late for the weekend market."

Zukula got up unwillingly. He hated going to Vanpore, but it was necessary. Vanpore had the biggest weekend market around, and his fish fetched much better price there than in his tribal settlment.

He hurriedly ate his breakfast, changed into his best clothes, and started towards Vanpore with his basket of fish.

When Zukula reached the market, it was already afternoon, and other sellers from his settlement were preparing to leave.

"You are late, Zukula.” said a fellow Vidari. “Now, you will not get good price for your fish. I have already sold mine. The highborn who brought my fish was foul-mouthed, but he gave me a good price.”

"All highborns are foul-mouthed when they talk to us Vidaris.” remarked another. "But at least they don't treat us as badly as they treat the Dhatakis."

Zukula didn't say anything. He hated the way the highborns in Vanpore treated the Vidari tribals.

He chose a spot, spread out his fish, and waited for customers.

The afternoon turned into the evening. It had been several hours, but Zukula had not sold a single fish. He was getting desperate now. He knew that  if he doesn't sell this catch soon, it will start getting stale. All his efforts that day were going waste. He shuddered at the thought of going back empty-handed and facing his wife.

"Is it a fresh catch?” asked a highborn, approaching Zukula. He was with a friend.

"Yes sir, it is a fresh catch." replied Zukula.

"Don't trust him.” said the friend. "He is a liar! This fish must have been taken out of the pond in the morning. Its not fresh anymore. See, it is smelling foul already.”

The highborn nodded.

“How much for the whole basket, all of it?" he asked Zukula.

"Five copper karshikas, sir."

"Do you take us for fools? I know you Vidari tribals well. You all are the same -- dishonest.”

“Sir, I am not being dishonest.” pleaded Zukula. “The fish is worth ten karshikas at least. But it is getting late, so I am giving it for five."

“I will take it for three copper karshikas.” said the highborn. "Within an hour, all it will start rotting and won't be worth even a single karshika.”

Zukula hesitated.

"Let us go.” urged the highborn’s friend. “Why are you still talking to this liar?”

"All thieves and crooks!” he added, spitting on Zukula’s face. "These savages should not be allowed inside Vanpore.”

This was not the first time Zukula had faced such unprovoked hostility. Still, he could feel his face getting flushed with anger and humiliation. He controlled himself, took a deep breath, and put on a fake smile.

“Sir, please give whatever you can.” said Zukula. "I will be grateful."

The highborn pondered for a moment.

"You wasted my time,” he said. “Now, I will give you two karshikas -- take it, or leave it."

Zukula nodded, and handed the fish to the highborn. It was a relief. He wouldn't have to deal with these Vanpore highborns until next week.

It was almost dark. Zukula started walking as fast he could towards his settlement.

"Are you going this way?” asked a voice from behind. It was of a young man. He was dressed smartly. Another highborn, Zukula thought.

“Yes, sir!" Zukula mumbled, looking away.

"I am going this way, too.” said the young man. “Please, let us go together. We can keep each other company."

Zukula nodded. He had not expected such politeness from a Vanpore highborn. He was flattered.

"So what was the purpose of your visit to Vanpore?" asked the young man.

"I was here to sell my fish." Zukula answered, sounding as polite as he could.

"Visiting Vanpore must be hard.” said the young man. “Vanpore highborns are hostile. They don't approve Vidaries, Dhatakis, and other lowborns visiting their market. But against the king's orders, they have no say.”

Zukula was surprised to hear a highborn say such words. He wanted to speak his mind about the highborns, but decided to play safe.

"Thats true, sir.” he said. "But here, at least I get paid for my fish. So, I ignore the insults.”

“Not all highborns are arrogant, though.” Zukula added, glancing at his young companion. “A few are kind, too."

"Thats true.” said the young man. "I don't understand how one human being can treat other human being in such a derogatory manner. No one has ever achieved greatness by showing how insignificant someone else is."

Zukula agreed.

As they walked, the young man kept asking questions and Zukula answered ardently. Zukula wanted to ask many things too, but didn't as he felt shy. He felt happy that he could find a compassionate friend in a highborn.

When they reached his tribal settlment, it was almost dawn.

"I will be very happy if you visit my humble abode before continuing your journey." said Zukula, as they arrived at his house.

His young companion looked surprised.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Me and my family will be honored." replied Zukula.

Zukula welcomed his new friend inside his house. He told his family to be respectful of his new friend, and treat him the best way possible.

He apologized to his friend for not being able to to entertain more lavishlly.

"My apologies, sir.” said Zukula. “My house is small. I won't be able to entertain you the way you are used to.”

“Small? My house is smaller than yours." said his young friend.

Zukula felt confused. How could a highborn have a smaller house than a Vidari tribal?

"Smaller than my house? You are being modest, sir." Zukula said with a smile.

“No, I am not being modest.” replied the young man. "Whenever you please, your are welcome to visit to my dhataki settlement and see for yourself. It's not too far from here."

Zukula was stunned. He stood speechless for a moment, as his demeanour changed.

"Are you a Dhataki?” he asked, accusingly. "You never told me."

"You never asked!” said the young man, laughing. "Who did you think I was? A highborn from Vanpore?"

Zukula didn't laugh.

"I want you to leave my house right now.” he ordered the lowly Dhataki man.

The young man was confused for a moment. Then he quietly got up, and left.

Zukula, fuming with rage, looked at his wife.

"Hurry up, and see if he has stolen anything from our house.” he shouted. "These Dhatakis are nothing but crooks and thieves!”