Shishukunj

A Slight Misunderstanding

Ayush Baweja, Class X G

The moment Johnson stepped down from the train, he was greeted at the platform by the people of his small town. They had gathered there with garlands and a band’s loud music added to the cacophony.

Johnson stood dazed. He was sure he got off at the right stop; he even recognized some of his neighbours. In the small town of Panjam, everyone seemed to know everyone else. So he couldn’t have been mistaken for someone else.

After his vacation to Goa had flopped, he was uninterested in any more commotion. He called for the band to silence and went over to Mr. Jai Jain, the Mayor. He asked him what all the celebration was about.

For a second, the Mayor seemed astonished and then understood. He replied, ‘Don’t be so modest. We all saw you on TV yesterday. You’ve really put the town of Panjam on the map!’

All of a sudden, it clicked to Johnson what was going on. They must’ve seen Johnson on some regional news channel after the incident in Goa but didn’t understand what the news was really about. Johnson flushed red and then pale. How could he tell these people that he was wanted?

In Goa, he was mistaken for a notorious thief. Ever since, wherever he would go, the police would chase him and he would narrowly escape only after proving his identity. He had even seen a picture of himself in a Goan daily. How could he break it to these innocent people that the ‘Hero of Panjam’ was just a thief’s look-alike?

Power of Parody

Ronit Banerjee, Class X B

The moment Johnson stepped down from the train, he was greeted at the platform by the people of his small town. They had gathered there with garlands and a band to celebrate a victory.

Was it the victory of the town, or of Johnson? Nobody knows. As the people only thought of the memories which had brought them there to witness this.

Six months ago, Johnson had arrived in Lindenburgh with his unusual sky-blue hat and a briefcase filled with humble beginnings. With that hat, he looked like an aristocrat, difference being just one – he mimicked one. You see, Lindenburgh was facing atrocities of aristocrats with contacts in the House of the Lords in London.

Johnson took up the initiative to satire and parody the aristocrats for the poor people there to give them the confidence, to not be idle to injustice even if it comes from people with hats!

‘Who knew humour could do so well!’ that’s what people asked, standing at the station, holding the newspaper with the headline ‘Lindenburgh Unites, the Aristocratic Fright!’

As Johnson stepped down, the band saluted. His parodies had splashed cold water over stereotypes and ignited logic. As he saw a heavy-set man in burgundy attire enter the train, he asked, ‘Where are you going?’ ‘Away. It’s not safe here.’ replied the aristocrat.