Week 7 Story: Always Ready To Help

On one fine weekday, Jethabhai's alarm goes off, he gets up, and gets dressed to go to the dukaan (store). After getting ready, he comes out to the dining area and asks Dayabhabhi for breakfast. Dayabhabhi serves it to him, he eats it, and he gets up to leave for the dukaan. Just as he saying that he is leaving, Bapuji and Tapu come there and Bapuji says, "Arre ruk, Jethia. Hum bhi tere saath aa rahe hai. Bahu, mein apne doston ko milne jaa raha hoon Nana-Nani Park aur Tapu college jaa raha hai." ("Wait, Jethia. We are coming with you. Daya, I am going to see my friends at Nana-Nani Park, and Tapu is going to college.")

All three of them (Bapuji, Jethabhai, and Tapu) say "Jai Jinendra" ("Bye.") to Dayabhabhi and leave.

As they are coming down the stairs, Jethabhai spots a rickshaw coming towards them, and Jethabhai says to Bapuji, "Arre yeh dekhiye, Bapuji, ricksha bhi idhar hi mil gayi." ("Look, Bapuji, we got a rickshaw right here in the society compound.")

Bapuji says, "Haan." ("Yes.")

The rickshaw stops and Jethabhai sees Mehtasaab getting out. Jethbhai asks, "Arre Mehtasaab. Kahaan se aa rahe itni subeh subeh?" ("Mehtasaab, where are you coming from so early in the morning?")

Mehtasaab responds, "Kalam ki refill lene gaya tha, lekin meri chhodiye, Gada parivaar ke teen peedhiya ek saath kahaan jaa rahe hai?" ("I went to get a refill for my pen, but forget me, where are the three generations of the Gada family going?")

Jethabhai responds, "Mein dukaan jaa raha hoon, Bapuji apne doston ko milne Nana-Nani Park jaa rahe hai, aur Tapu college jaa raha hai." ("I am going to dukaan, Bapuji is going to see his friends at Nana-Nani Park, and Tapu is going to college.")

Mehtasaab says, "Theek hai. Jaayye, aap ko late ho raha hoga. Shaam ko milte hai, Jethalal. Jai Jinendra, Chachaji." ("Ok. Go then, you're probably getting late. I'll see you later, Jethalal. Bye, Uncle.")

Bapuji responds to Mehtasaab, "Jai Jinendra." ("Bye.")

Jethabhai then says, "Chaliye, Bapuji. Aaja, Tapuda." ("Let's go, Bapuji. Come, Tapu.")

And then they leave.

Later in the dukaan, Jethabhai receives an invitation to go to an electronic exhibition in Kerala. He has his flight the next morning at seven, for which he will have to reach the airport at five. After coming home, he tells Dayabhabhi, Tapu, and Bapuji about it.

Bapuji says, "Jethia, tu airport jaayega kaise? Ek kaam karna, tu soda peene jaayega, to Sodhi ko puchh lena koi taxi waale ke liye." ("Jethia, how will you get to the airport? Do this, when you go to drink soda, ask Sodhi for a taxi driver.")

Jethabhai responds, "Kal ke liye taiyaari karni hai toh soda peene to nahi jaaunga, lekin mein Sodhi ke saath phone pe baat karlunga." ("I have to prepare for tomorrow, so I'm not going to drink soda, but I'll talk to Sodhi on the phone.")

Later, Jethabhai calls Sodhi and asks about a taxi driver. Sodhibhai says, "Mere hote hue taxi ki kya zaroorat hai?" ("What's the need for the taxi when I'm here?")

Jethabhai says, "Arre nahi bhai, tu kyun itni subeh subeh pareshaan ho raha hai?" ("No, no, why are you troubling yourself so early in the morning?")

Sodhibhai responds, "Mein kabhi dosto ke wajeh se pareshaan nahi hota, lekin agar tum taxi me gaye toh mein pareshaan ho jaaunga. Rab di saun, dosto ke liye jaan bhi haazir hai." ("I can never be troubled by doing things for my friends, but if you take a taxi, then I really will be troubled. I swear to God, I can sacrifice my life for my friends.")

And with this, Sodhibhai takes Jethabhai to the airport the next morning and Jethabhai is able to catch his flight on time.

***Author's Note: This was the best idea I could get from this week's reading. I wrote the first part of this story much better last semester, but this is all I could remember of it. The idea of this story came from when Lord Krishna lifted a mountain on one finger to save His fellow villagers from a huge flood sent by Lord Indra. Sodhibhai is always ready to help anyone in the society, as was Lord Krishna during His time.***

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Here's Sodhibhai and Roshanbhabhi!

Source: (Google Images)

Week 5 Story: Ganeshotsav Preparations

It is the time of year again when the Ganeshotsav is to begin in a few days, and it is the job of Tapu Sena to prepare for the festival: to decorate the mandap and to think of and prepare for the program.

Tapu Sena is very excited because they have already begun the preparations for the festival. They have prepared the budget and consulted with Bhidebhai to make sure the budget is good and to make sure they can begin the preparations on time.

After getting Bhidebhai's permission, Tapu Sena calls the mandap company and gathers a list of all the materials they will need to complete the decorations. The mandap company arrives, and Tapu Sena supervises them as to where and how the mandap needs to be built. After they leave, Tapu Sena gets all the materials from Abdulbhai's shop and begins cutting, coloring, gluing, and taping their decorations.

The kids are so busy in what they are doing that they even forget to each their meals. They have Abdulbhai bring them snacks and water as needed.

Each year, the theme of the mandap is a suspense to all the members of the society. No matter how much the members ask, the kids do not tell them the theme.

The day is finally here to open the curtain and reveal the theme of the Ganeshotsav mandap. Everyone has brought the murti of Ganpatibappa, and the kids take it inside the mandap to fix. As they are inside, Tapu comes outside, and Bhidebhai asks him, "Tapu, parda kab khologe bhai? Ab aur intezaar nahi hota." ("Tapu, when will you open the curtain. I can't wait anymore.")

The society members agree, "Haan, beta." ("Yes, dear.")

Tapu responds, "Bas, do minute, Bhideuncle." ("Just a couple of minutes, Bhideuncle.")

As soon as he finishes saying that, Sonu, Pinku, Goli, and Gogi come out and Sonu says to Tapu, "Tapu, hogaya. Aap sab taiyaar hai?" ("Tapu, it's done. Is everyone ready?")

Everyone responds, "Haan, haan. Kholo, kholo, jaldi kholo!" ("Yes, yes. Open it, open it, open it fast!")

As soon as the curtain opens, the society members are pleasantly shocked at what they were seeing. The decoration consisted of the Draupadi's cheerharan and Lord Krishna saving her, in the background of the city today. There was also a board that had a message about respecting women because we would be nowhere without them. All the society members are so happy with the thought of the kids.

All the members of the society are talking about how well the kids have decorated and the message they send to the world. Mehtasaab agrees and says about the message, "Aurat ke haalat sach much aisa hi hai, Tapu Sena. Aurat ek behen hoti hai, beti hoti hai, phir ek patni banti hai, phir bahu banti hai. Aur patni aur bahu banne ke baad maa banti hai. Uske baad bhi woh khatamb nahi hoti hai. Woh hamesha balidaan deti hai, lekin hum log kya dete hai aurat ko? Jis aurat ki hame puja karni chahiye, sammaan dena chahiye, hum log uska cheerharan karte hai. Hum uske garima ke saath khilwaad karte hai. Sharam aani chahiye unko jo aurat ki izzat nahi karte. Kya baat hai, Tapu Sena, kya baat hai." ("The condition of women is like so exactly, Tapu Sena. A woman is a sister, a daughter, then a wife, then a daughter-in-law. And then, she becomes a mother. But even then, her roles are not finished. She always sacrifices for her family, but what do we give her? The woman that we should be worshipping, we strip her of her grace? We play with her dignity? The people who don't respect women should be seriously ashamed. Very well done, Tapu Sena, very well done!")

Everyone applauds for Tapu Sena, and they respond, "Thank you, thank you!"

In this way, Tapu Sena did a fantastic job of decorating for Ganeshotsav.

***Author's Note: This story came from the cheerharan of Draupadi. It is one of my favorite stories from the Mahabharata. It is a shame of what happened in the hall where Draupadi was being stripped, but it sends a very powerful message to everyone. The thought of the kids to portray such an event and to send such a message is very praise-worthy for the kids. Sad part is that this still happens today in the form of rape. And what's even worse is that rapists don't feel any kind of shame when they should.***

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

Tapu Sena's decoration including Draupadi's cheerharan on the right.

Source: (Youtube)

Week 4 Story: Khushi Gets Justice

Upon her birth, Khushi's mother had to leave Khushi in a temple because her husband and in-laws were against having a daughter and they wanted a son.

Dayabhabhi finds her in the temple and brings her home. Dayabhabhi asks Jethabhai to get all the members gathered at their house. As soon as all the members get there, Dayabhabhi tells them about how she found her and that they need to find out who her mother is and get her back to her mother.

After many tries and going to many places, they find her mother, but her mother, Surbhiben, tells the Gokuldham Society members that she can't take her back and that she was left at the temple because of a helplessness.

To find out her helplessness, Bhidebhai and Madhavibhabhi, in disguise, go to her house and are unable to find out, but they do find out that Surbhiben has an older daughter whose name is Suhani. They call Jethabhai and Dayabhabhi on their way back and tell them so. Dayabhabhi says that they are going to have to call Surbhiben to their house somehow in order to find out. They are told to come back to the society. Dayabhabhi gets an idea and asks Tapu and Sonu to make a card from Khushi's perspective and asks her mother to come to the society.

A few hours later, when Surbhiben comes to Dayabhabhi's house, she is asked what her helplessness is to have to leave her precious daughter at the temple. Surbhiben tells everyone that her in-laws and husband wanted a son because they think daughters are useless and are burdens; that's why she had to leave her daughter in the temple. The members are disgusted with their mindset and vow to change their thought and mindset and tells Surbhiben not to worry because they will surely succeed and give justice to both of her daughters.

After coming up with a plan, Babita, Anjalibhabhi, Popatbhai, and Sodhibhai to go Surbhiben's and tell her family that she lied to them, and that she gave birth to a son, not daughter. Upon hearing this, they get mad at Surbhiben and come to GS with them. Surbhiben brings Khushi down to compound a few minutes after they arrive, but she tells her husband that he has to leave his parents if he wants his "son". Her husband makes up his mind and says that he will leave his parents in order to get his "son". Suhani asks her dad, "who will take care of dada-dadi and give them their meds if we leave them?"

In the meanwhile, the Gokuldham Society members tell Shekhar (Surbhiben's husband) that his "son" is in fact a daughter.

Surbhiben's in-laws were in shock and instantly realized their mistake. They realize that they were wrong about daughters and they say that in order to correct their mistake of giving the wrong mindset about daughters to Shekhar, they will live happily with Surbhiben and her daughters and give them the love and respect that they deserve.

Shekhar and his parents apologize to Surbhiben and all the GS members for their wrong thinking, take Surbhiben and her daughters, and go home.

So in this way, the Gokuldham Society members gave justice to Surbhiben, Suhani, and Khushi.

***Author's Note: This story came from the idea of looking for Sita after she was abducted by Ravana. This story also involves the "beti bachao, beti padhao" (save daughters, let them study) campaign set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a few years ago. Daughters have just as much right to live and study as sons do. They are also capable of accomplishing anything in the world. It was initiated to decrease, reduce, and diminish female foeticide.***

Click here for a reading guide to Sister Nivedita's Ramayana

Here's Khushi with Dayabhabhi, Jethabhai, and Bapuji. Isn't she just adorable?

Source: (Google Images)

Week 3 Story: The Battle Between Bhidebhai and Don Baadal

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Storytelling assignment.

Don Baadal abducted Bhidebhai's scooter out of feelings of revenge because Bhidebhai accidentally scratched Don Baadal super loved car. The members of Gokuldham Society are thinking of a way to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back. In this time, Sodhibhai gets an idea and get leaves in his jeep. Thirty minutes later, Sodhibhai returns to the society and asks Abdulbhai to come with him. Everyone questions him about what he's doing, but he doesn't respond; he only shows excitement.

A few minutes later, in the society compound, there is car exactly like Don Baadal's hanging from a crane that Abdulbhai is operating. Bhidebhai calls Don Baadal and tells him that he has his car. Don Baadal comes to the society, and upon his arrival, the car is dropped and breaks into a million pieces. Seeing this Don Baadal starts crying and says that he lost his beloved car as a result of his desire for revenge.

Sodhibhai then proceeds to tell him that nothing is wrong with his car and gives his car to him. Sodhibhai then explains that the broken car came from the junkyard and was dropped to teach him a lesson as to how it feels when you lose something you love dearly. He asks Don Baadal to return Bhidebhai's scooter because it is as dearly to Bhidebhai as the car is to Don Baadal.

Don Baadal learned his lesson, apologizes to Bhidebhai, and happily gives his scooter back to him.

***Author's Note: I got this story from the idea of Sita's agnipariksha. Even though Lord Rama knew that she was pure, she had to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity to the people. Similarly, Bhidebhai knew how it felt to lose his scooter, but Don Baadal didn't know how it felt. So the members of the society had to create this situation in order to explain it to him.***

R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

The car that taught Don Baadal a lesson

Source: (Google Images)

Week 1 Story: Welcome to Gokuldham Society

Today is Friday, January 20th, 2017, and I am completing the Tell A Story assignment.

In Gokuldham Society, there live six families, plus several others: the Gada family, the Bhide family, the Mehta family, the Iyer family, the Sodhi family, the Hathi family, Pinku, and Popatbhai. Plus there are three other characters that appear: Natukaka, Bagha, Bawri, and Abdulbhai.

The Gada family consists of Jethabhai, Dayabhabhi, Bapuji, and Tapu. Jethabhai owns an electroncis shop called Gada Electronics. Dayabhabhi is his wife and is a housewife. Bapuji is Jethabhai's father, whom Jethabhai loves and respects a lot. Tapu is Jethabhai and Dayabhabhi's son; he goes to junior college and loved by all the society members. They are a Gujarati family.

The Bhide family consists of Aataram Tukaram Bhide (more fondly known as Bhidebhai), Madhavibhabhi, and Sonu. Bhidebhai is a teacher and runs tuition classes from his home. Madhavibhabhi is a housewife and also runs a pickles and papad business from home. Sonu is a member of the Tapu Sena and attends junior college. They are a Maharashtrian family.

The Mehta family consists of Taarak Mehta and his wife, Anjali. Mehtasaab is a writer, and Anjali is a housewife. Mehtasaab is also Jethabhai's best friend. They often leave together for work in the morning. They are also a Gujarati family.

The Iyer family consists of Subramanium Krishnan Iyer and his wife, Babita. Iyerbhai is a scientist, and Babitaji is a housewife. Babitaji also likes to exercise and be fit. They are a Tamil husband and Bengali wife.

The Sodhi family consists of Roshan Singh Sodhi (Sodhibhai), Roshan Kaur Sodhi (Roshanbhabhi), his wife, and Gogi Singh Sodhi, their son. Sodhibhai is a mechanic and owns a garage (known to us as body shop). Roshanbhabhi is a housewife, and Gogi is in tenth grade and also a member of Tapu Sena. They are a Punjabi family.

The Hathi family consists of Dr. Hansraj Hathi, Komal Hathi, his wife, and Goli, their son. Hathibhai is a doctor, and his clinic is within his house. Komalbhabhi is a housewife, and Goli goes to junior college and is a member of Tapu Sena. They are a Bihari (North Indian) family.

Pinku is a single character that lives in Gokuldham Society. He is a year older than Tapu, Sonu, and Goli, is a member of Tapu Sena, and goes to junior college.

Popatbhai is single and lives in Gokuldham Society right above Iyerbhai. He is journalist for the newspaper, Toofan Express. He has a really strong wish to get married.

Natukaka is the manager of Gada Electronics. Although he does not live in Gokuldham Society, he is like a family member to Jethabhai and treats him that way.

Baghabhai is Natukaka's nephew and is an engineer at Gada Electronics. He lives with Natukaka and is engaged to Bawri.

Bawri is Baghabhai's fiancé and often comes to Gada Electronics to see Bagha, which Jethabhai gets very irked by because it disturbs Bagha from his work.

Abdulbhai has a small general store right outside the society gate. Every night, all the men of the society get together at Abdulbhai's shop and drink his very loved soda (more known to us as mineral water).

Although Natukaka, Baghabhai, Bawri, and Abdulbhai do not live in Gokuldham Society, they attend every function of Gokuldham Society and are like family members to everyone.

Gokuldham Society is known for its unity. Everyone is always looking out for each other; they stand with each other in happiness and trouble times. They celebrate all festivals of different religions, and they are like one, gigantic family.

***Author's Note: I took this story from The Assembly of Animals. In The Assembly of Animals, different animals are gathered and each one is bragging about his/her best feature. Meanwhile, the toad explains how what they are bragging about becomes their reason for death later. Just like there was a lesson to be learned from The Assembly of Animals, I gave an introduction to the unity of Gokuldham Society, which is kind of like a lesson learned from the story.***

Bibliography: The Assembly of Animals from Ramaswami Raju. Web source

Here is a picture of almost everyone in Gokuldham Society. See how their unity shows?

Source: (Google Images)