#VeryShortStories #GaneshChaturthi The people who make idols of - TopicsExpress

#VeryShortStories #GaneshChaturthi The people who make idols of Lord Ganesha have no fashion sense. I dont understand why they use such gaudy colors- purple, orange, yellow, green in the weirdest combinations possible. I always imagined Ganesha to be far more subtle and elegant. Anyway, since I had no much choice in spite of the varities of idols of varying sizes in the market, I chose a medium sized idol which was orange in color with a few touches of green, brown and gold. I picked up the idol and bargained with the shop owner. Just before finalizing the deal, the idol whispered into my ears to my utter disbelief, Dont buy me. I looked around at the hundreds of people buying the idols of their choice. Had anyone else experienced what I just did? The idol whispered again, in a pleading tone this time. Dont buy me. I dont want to go through the painful process again. Please! I couldnt understand. I gave a puzzled look to the shop owner but he was too busy to notice, he stepped aside to attend other customers. I am not comfortable with what you guys do, the idol explained, Firstly, you make a commodity of my body by putting it up for sale. Secondly, youll make a lot of noise while taking me home. Though Ill enjoy being the center of attraction for the next few days and savour the laddoos your friends will offer, the thought that youll dump me into the lake at the end of it scares the shit out of me. But Ill somehow convince myself and shower blessings to you all. I will eradicate all sorts of objections in your tasks. Inspite of all that, after a few days, youll take me out in a noisy procession and throw me into the water bodies that I created for you. I dont understand. Whats the point of this momentary love? Its like being in a contractual relationship. I dont like it. It hurts a lot when you abandon me after all the attention and prayers that you shower at me. So dont buy me I was shocked. I had no idea how to respond. As much as I sympathized with the idol, I also wanted to argue that God shouldnt behave in such a way. As God, one is supposed to be free from pleasure and pain, uncomplaining and always loving, no matter what. If God starts cribbing like this, who will worship him? The very reason we created God was to have an ideal role model, because in reality, ideal humans dont exist. But who was I to argue? I left the idol and moved on to another store. I kept searching for the perfect idol until I came across a young kid at the corner of the road selling idols which looked very different from the rest. Firstly, the idols were smaller in size and they were moist. They were made from mud and had a silver foil as a garnishing cover. I picked one of them and waited for a while, just to ensure that this one didnt complain. To my relief, it didnt speak a word. In fact it looked very divine and graceful. I paid the young boy and packed my idol. On the way back home, as I looked at the other idols, I couldnt help but wish for more idols that were made of mud.