The Argument and a Bizarre Dream

An argument was going on.

The first arguing mammal was telling that meat is tastier if first fried and then boiled.

The second opposed immediately saying, “Meat cannot be cooked easily if fried first. Hence it is better to boil it well at first and then it can be fried drying excess water in the pan. You don't have proper idea of cooking methods.”

-“What makes you decide that I know nothing of cooking! Not only the meat should be fried, also the spices should be added in the beginning.”

-“Cook-books do not say that.”

-“Forget about cook-books! I have heard from acclaimed chefs that meat has to be first fried - “

-“Don’t you abide by the rules of cook-book?”

 -“No.”

-“May I know why?”

-“Because different cook-books have different opinions. So, opinions of the chefs, who cook on their own everyday should be considered authentic.”

The first arguer seemed little muddled, but his mind started functioning at once. -“Not all chefs have same opinion either!”

-“Chefs who like to first fry meat, are no chefs, but dumb fellows. Do you know what the Japanese do?”

The first arguer lost his patience. He reacted, “I do not know what Japan means. Who are you to humiliate chefs? You uncivilized brat!”

- “Stop it! Hold your tongue! You are not at all as knowledgeable as you claim, still trying to be a bragging arguer - Bonehead!”

-“You are calling me bonehead again!?”

-“I will call you bonehead again and again.”

 - “I see - let me have it out …“

-“You crook!”

The argument turned into a battle.

A jackal was enjoying their dispute sitting nearby. He began laughing seeing them preparing for a battle; said, “Hey, aren’t you both vegetarian? Why do you indulge in a riot over non-veg food? You will be in trouble once your master gets up.”

They were not in a mood to pay attention to his words; started fighting violently with their horns pounding against each other’s.  

The coachman suddenly woke up to find the pair of his bullocks fighting among themselves. He knew the right method to stop them. With appropriate use of his bamboo stick and suitable abusive words, he succeeded to tie the bullocks separately keeping right distance between them. He also placed fodder before them –“Eat! You rascals – don’t try to act smart!”

They were given only rice-straws.

******************************************

I too, woke up all of a sudden. I came out my reverie as well. I found two aggressive young men, who were arguing with each other over the news of Japan and Germany, Hitler and Mussolini etc, already got off. The train stopped – the station was Nathnagar.

Translation of Story “Tarko o swapno” by Balaichand Mukhopadhyay