Changing perceptions

The other day, a man died in our neighbourhood. On hearing the news, a crowd collected to pay its last respects before he was cremated by the family.

Now this man had been a great nuisance in the building, quick to take offense and quite rude to whoever he met. He picked quarrels even with women and usually children steered clear of him, careful not to offend him, as he had once chased a littld kid with a stick in hand, all because the ball which the kid had thrown had hit him in his leg. Our neighbour's dog was also a regular victim of his yelling due to his incessant barking whenever he met him.His family too was afraid of him and probably wished him dead due to his autocratic behaviour and interference in their day to day affairs. Such was his disposition that he had no friends.

But today he had died and the perception of the people had changed suddenly and significantly. Mr. Joshi was saying that Mr. Das ( that was his name) was a principled man who lived life on his own terms. Radha aunty described him as a no- nonsense person and open in voicing his opinion whenever there was a dispute. The secretary of the society was high on praise that he always paid his monthly outgoings on time, no matter what. Rupa aunty was sympathetic that since he was a widower, it was a good thing that he did not live to be an octogenarian and suffer old age with its accompanying illnesses.

It was amusing to hear these comments as one among the crowd when it was clear from everyone's face that they were all actually relieved, including the family. Still, everyone was trying to find good things to say about him, rephrasing the adjectives which they would have used had he been alive with better sounding ones.

The sombre affair went on for half an hour and the body was taken to the crematorium by the family, leaving behind the other occupants of the society; just when everyone was turning to go, little Arun innocently asked, " Daddy, that bad uncle is not coming back, is he? I would like to play cricket in the evening with my friends!"