As Vikram carried Betal through the shadowy forest, with his signature silence, Betal began another tale:
"Once upon a time, in a bustling town, two talented friends, Henry and Kwame, were known for their mesmerizing music.
Henry, with his fair skin and golden hair, played the violin with a grace that moved people to tears. Kwame, with his dark skin and braided hair, played the drums with a rhythm that echoed deep into the hearts of all who listened.
Together, they were a perfect blend of sound and soul, capturing the hearts of everyone who heard them.
One evening, after an especially brilliant performance at a prestigious festival, a renowned music producer approached them. He was so impressed that he offered the duo a rare opportunity—to record their music in a professional studio. It was an offer that could change their lives forever, and both Henry and Kwame were thrilled.
But when the day came to record, Henry, caught up in the excitement of being in the spotlight, decided to take the session for himself. He recorded his violin solo, thinking it would showcase his talent to the world. Kwame, though equally deserving of the opportunity, was left out of the session entirely. The producer praised Henry’s work, while Kwame stood silently, his heart heavy with disappointment.
Later, Henry realized his mistake. He approached Kwame, apologizing for his selfishness. ‘I shouldn’t have taken the recording for myself,’ Henry said. ‘We earned this opportunity together.’
Kwame, calm as ever, forgave Henry. ‘What’s done is done,’ Kwame replied. ‘Our friendship matters more than any recording session.’
But now, Vikram,” Betal's voice turned playful, “tell me, who was fair? If you remain silent, your head will explode into a thousand pieces!”
Vikram, always quick to grasp the deeper meaning, paused for a moment before responding:
"Both were fair in their own ways. Henry, though fair in appearance, faltered when he allowed his ambition to overshadow their shared bond. But his fairness emerged when he acknowledged his mistake and sought forgiveness. Kwame, despite being slighted, was fair in heart, for he chose to forgive, placing their friendship above his own hurt.
True fairness lies not just in who gets what, but in recognizing the value of relationships. Both were fair, but in the end, it was Kwame who truly upheld fairness by understanding the deeper bond they shared."
Betal, laughing at Vikram’s cleverness, slipped from his grip and flew back to the tree. “Well done, Vikram! But I still have more stories to tell!”
*****
PS - I was browsing through the newspaper when I came across an article about an artist who depicts women with dark complexions. The opening lines read, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?'
Instantly, I stopped reading. An idea had struck me—to develop a story in the style of Vikram and Betal, centered around the word 'fair.'
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