Boot Stitched In Jail Turned An Idol For A Britisher

Boot Stitched In Jail Turned An Idol
For a Britisher​

When Mahatma Gandhi was in jail, Smuts was the jailer.
He used to beat and boot all Indian prisoners to the bone. He pushed Gandhi also down and stomped and whacked him repeatedly with his booted foot.

All prisoners but for Gandhi when hit, screamed "Oh!"
But Gandhi shouted only "Ram! Ram!!"
That made Smuts to brood about. He decided to stop from that moment beating Gandhi.
He stared and smiled often at Gandhi.
One day he endearingly pronounced his name,
"Mr. Gandhi - I want to help you in some way; Tell me what do you want?"
Gandhi responded - "just give me a book to read".

He brought to him two volumes of "Bible". Thus begun a good friendship.

One fine bright morning Smuts rushed to Gandhi and announced, "Dear Gandhi, I have brought you a happy news and a sad as well".

What are the news? Which is good? Which is bad?" Gandhi - a picture of aplomb enquired.
"For you today - it is liberation. This is good news for you & me as well. But, I love you so much that I can not bear separation from you. That is sad part of the news".

"Dear Smuts" Gandhi said endearingly,
"Me too feel the same.
I shall give you a gift; keep it with you as token of our friendship".
He handed him the boots that he had sewn during his period in prison.
He told Smuts to wear and feel the fitment. Looking for him to wear.
Smuts holding the pair in hands, glanced it up & down - exclaimed, "perfect but how did you sized my foot-so accurately?"

Giving a chuckle, Gandhi
removed upper peace of his attire, spread it stiff and showed him the boot-soil prints when Smuts in the past kicked him often. Pointing to the soil- impressions of his boot on the cloth, Gandhi said, "these are your boot prints which I measured and sewed the boots for you".
Smuts with welled up eyes, in a surprise move fell down prostrating at the feet of Mahathma Gandhi.

A crying Smruts with ebbing heart uttered in instalments,
"I'm a beast! A vicious, vile, beast!! please forgive me for all those kicks & whacks.
Henceforth I will not boot you."
That was the instant a deadly beast turned utterly soft & humane.
Now it is clear what we mean when someone say "hardstone too gets transformed into a sweet fruit". (கல்லும் கனியாகும்)
Then Smuts swore thus:
“Oh my dear Gandhi. These are no mere boots to me: These are my God for ever; I will not be wearing this pair. It is God to me worthy of worship".
He moved ahead a little away from Gandhi reached his tiny chamber and kept the boots at a eye-catching spot in his chamber & remain bowed to it.

*********​

Lord Shiva!
Mercy Jesus!!
Virtuous Prophet!!!
Forgive & Forget - Easy to quote but then all are not Mahathma!

 

Most apt kural cited here from our tamil bard Saint Thiruvalluvar. Thank you.