The Statue

“The Police took him in the van, the Retard who sits at the Square… he must have done it last night. Creep…” the shop shutters were opening, as I heard this from one of the shop owners. Couldn’t stop to find out much, had to go to office. The shutters went down today morning as soon as, someone spotted a shoe-garland hanging from the neck of the statue at the square.

The statue had been there, standing, since I don’t know when. There’s board under it, telling the date of inauguration, but less I know about the man whose statue stands there and the lesser I care… Whom I know for sure, was the Retard, who used to sit there. He wouldn’t talk to anyone, or yell at people like most of them do. He wasn’t harmful either. He would just sit there; some local shop owners would offer him food. Never saw him do something that I recall now. Since I started going to school passing that square, was told that he’s a Retard, and he’s dangerous. When I was in school, I used to watch some school kids, who used to make fun of him. I saw some of them today, pelting stones at shops and shouting bad words. They are all into social service now.

That evening, I came back from office, a bit late than usual. I saw the Retard, seating behind the statue, as he does everyday. I went towards him; he was beaten up badly… but was composed as he looked at me and smiled, as if he was greeting me. I felt the need to take him for some medical help, I said, “Come, let’s go to a doctor. You are injured” He came along with me, and my family doc nursed his wounds.

I asked him, where he would go now. To the statue, he replied. He continued, “My father sculpted it. When I was in my mom’s womb, he finished it. He died of cancer. He told me to take care of the statue, before he died….” I assured him, that there are people in Municipal Corporation who will clean the statue, and will take care of it… at least once a year.

“You don’t understand”, he said, “The old grandfather is just standing here with one stick in his hand and wearing a dhoti. In shine and in rain, and in the cold nights of winter… who will help him up, if he falls down?” I looked in his eyes, there was determination that I can not persuade…