It was raining torrentially since morning in Palashdanga. This was the second week of Shravan and the weather was getting increasingly morbid. The elders of the house detested the rain, but little Apu loved to get himself drenched in it. He was the grandson of the zamindar of Palashdanga. Every element of nature used to attact him. He loved the rain, the animals and everything that has to do with beautiful Nature'
It was 9 o'clock when Kani came to Apu. He told him that the boys of the village were planning to play in the rain, and that they would like him to join them. Apu knew that his mother would not allow him to go out and play. But it was one of those rare days when Damini was in an exceptionally good husband had bought her a pair of gold So she gave permission to Apu. Apu was his house. This was a blissful day in his life.
The village boys had sembled in the garden and rain and bathe in the overflowing tears of the sky. Apu was delighted to see Hari, Atul and Ratan after such a long tie. Soon the rain ended, and a monkey Suddenly leapt into the garden from somewhere.The boys were scared and excited at the same time.They threw stones at it and frightened it away. Suddenly, Kanai came up with an idea," Why not throw stones and collect flowers from the trees? We can have a competition at it!"
Hari suggested, "Well the one who collects the maximum number of flowers will be the winner, and the loser has to obey one order of the winner."Apu grimaced. He knew, Hari would win this game as usual. He never had enough practise in these games. As was expected, Hari collected ten flowers in one minute while Apu collected only two. A wicked Smile now emerged in Hari's face. "Now Apu, you have to do as you are told. You know where your mom keeps her keys. Go and get the gold earrings which your daddy gave your mom". Hari's father had sold these earrings to Apu's father.
Timid as usual, Apu went and collected the keys from beneath the pillow and opened the cuphoard Damini was in the kitchen. But luck did not favour Apu. Damini came back and caught him red handed in the act of stealing her earrings. She was furious and naturally she locked up Apu. She went on screaming, "You will not be allowed to come out for the next one month! That is your punishment!".
This was not new for Apu. For the majority of his lifetime, he had been used to admiring nature through his window. The doors of his room were always kept shut, and he was never allowed to mingle with the other children of the village. His mother, called them 'sub-standard and low-class nitwits. Zamindar's grandson as he was, how could he ever play with them? He knew that he was being rightfully deprived of the right to be a normal child. He was after all receiving the training of the Zamindar!