1 flTspd; kfdhfpa ,NaR fpwp];Jitg; gw;wpa ew;nra;jpapd; njhlf;fk;: ;,Njh> vd; J}jid ckf;FKd; mDg;GfpNwd;: mtH ckf;F topia Maj;jk; nra;thH. ghiy epyj;jpy; Fuy; xd;W Koq;FfpwJ: Mz;ltUf;fhf topia Maj;jkhf;Fq;fs;: mtUf;fhfg; ghijiar; nrk;ikahf;Fq;fs; ; vd;W ,iwthf;fpdH vrhahtpd; E}ypy; vOjg;gl;Ls;sJ. ,jd;gbNa jpUKOf;F Nahthd; ghiy epyj;Jf;F te;J> ght kd;dpg;G mila kdk; khwpj; jpUKOf;Fg; ngWq;fs; vd;W giwrhw;wp te;jhH. a+NjahtpdH midtUk; vUrNyk; efhpdH ahtUk; mthplk; nrd;wdH: jq;fs; ghtq;fis mwpf;ifapl;L NahHjhd; Mw;wpy; mthplk jpUKOf;Fg; ngw;W te;jdH. Nahthd; xl;lf Kb Milia mzpe;jpUe;jhH: Njhy;fr;iria ,ilapy; fl;bapUe;jhH: ntl;Lf;fpspAk; fhl;Lj;NjDk; cz;L te;jhH. mtH njhlHe;J> ;vd;idtpl typik kpf;f xUtH vdf;Fg;gpd; tUfpwhH. Fdpe;J mtUila kpjpab thiu mtpo;f;ff; $l vdf;Fj; jFjpapy;iy. ehd; cq;fSf;Fj; jz;zPuhy; jpUKOf;Ff; nfhLj;Njd;: mtNuh cq;fSf;Fj; J}a Mtpahy; jpUKOf;Ff; nfhLg;ghH ; vdg; giwrhw;wpdhH. mf;fhyj;jpy; ,NaR fypNyahtpYs;s ehrNuj;jpypUe;J te;J NahHjhd; Mw;wpy; Nahthdplk; jpUKOf;Fg; ngw;whH. mtH Mw;wpypUe;J fiuNawpa clNd thdk; gpsTgLtijAk; J}a Mtp Gwhitg; Nghy; jk;kPJ ,wq;fptUtijAk; fz;lhH. mg;nghOJ> ;vd; md;ghHe;j kfd; ePNa> cd;nghUl;L ehd; g+hpg;gilfpd;Nwd; ; vd;W thdj;jpypUe;J xU Fuy; xypj;jJ. clNd J}a Mtpahy; mtH ghiyepyj;Jf;F mDg;gp itf;fg;gl;lhH. ghiy epyj;jpy; mtH ehw;gJ ehs; ,Ue;jhH: mg;NghJ rhj;jhdhy; Nrhjpf;fg;gl;lhH: mq;Ff; fhl;L tpyq;FfspilNa ,Ue;jhH. thdJ}jH mtUf;Fg; gzptpil nra;jhH. Nahthd; ifJnra;ag;gl;lgpd;> flTspd; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;wpf; nfhz;Nl ,NaR fypNyahtpw;F te;jhH. fhyk; epiwNtwptpl;lJ. ,iwahl;rp neUq;fp te;J tpl;lJ: kdk; khwp ew;nra;jpia ek;Gq;fs; ; vd;W mtH $wpdhH. mtH fypNyaf; flNyhukha;r; nrd;wNghJ rPNkhidAk; mtH rNfhjuuhd me;jpNuahitAk; fz;lhH. kPdtHfshd mtHfs; flypy; tiy tPrpf;nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;vd; gpd;Nd thUq;fs;: ehd; cq;fis kdpjiug; gpbg;gtH Mf;FNtd; ; vd;whH. clNd mtHfs; tiyfis tpl;Ltpl;L mtiug; gpd;gw;wpdhHfs;. gpd;dH> rw;W mg;ghy; nrd;wNghJ nrgNjAtpd; kfd; ahf;NfhigAk; mtH rNfhjuuhd NahthidAk; ,NaR fz;lhH. mtHfs; glfpy; tiyfisg; gOJ ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. clNd ,NaR mtHfisAk; mioj;jhH. mtHfSk; jq;fs; je;ij nrgNjAitf; $ypahs;fNshL glfpy; tpl;Ltpl;L mtH gpd; nrd;whHfs;. mtHfs; fg;gHehFk; Chpy; Eioe;jhHfs;. Xa;T ehs;fspy; ,NaR njhOiff;$lj;jpw;Fr; nrd;W fw;gpj;J te;jhH. mtUila Nghjidiaf; Fwpj;J kf;fs; tpag;gpy; Mo;e;jhHfs;. Vnddpy; mtH kiwE}y; mwpQiug; Nghyd;wp> mjpfhuj;NjhL mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;J te;jhH. mg;NghJ mtHfSila njhOiff;$lj;jpy; jPa Mtp gpbj;jpUe;j xUtH ,Ue;jhH. mtiug; gpbj;jpUe;j Mtp> ;ehrNuj;J ,NaRNt> ckf;F ,q;F vd;d Ntiy? vq;fis xopj;Jtplth te;jPH? ePH ahH vd vdf;Fj; njhpAk;. ePH flTSf;F mHg;gzkhdtH ; vd;W fj;jpaJ. thia %L: ,tiu tpl;L ntspNah Ngh ; vd;W ,NaR mjid mjl;bdhH. mg;nghOJ mj;jPa Mtp mk;kdpjUf;F typg;G cz;lhf;fpg; ngUq;$r;rypl;L mtiu tpl;L ntspNawpw;W. mtHfs; midtUk; jpifg;Gw;W> ;,J vd;d? ,J mjpfhuk; nfhz;l Gjpa Nghjidaha; ,Uf;fpwNj! ,tH jPa MtpfSf;Fk; fl;lisapLfpwhH: mitAk; ,tUf;Ff; fPo;g;gbfpd;wdNt! vd;W jq;fspilNa Ngrpf; nfhz;ldH. mtiug; gw;wpa nra;jp clNd fypNyahtpd; Rw;Wg;Gwnkq;Fk; gutpaJ. gpd;G mtHfs; njhOiff; $lj;ij tpl;L ntspNa te;J ahf;NfhG> NahthDld; rPNkhd;> me;jpNuah MfpNahhpd; tPl;bw;Fs; nrd;whHfs;. rPNkhDila khkpahH fha;r;ryha;f; fple;jhH. clNd mtHfs; mijg; gw;wp ,NaRtplk; nrhd;dhHfs;. ,NaR mtuUfpy; nrd;W ifiag; gpbj;J mtiuj; J}f;fpdhH. fha;r;ry; mtiu tpl;L ePq;fpw;W. mtH mtHfSf;Fg; gzptpil nra;jhH. khiy Ntisapy;> fjputd; kiwAk; Neuj;jpy; NehahsHfs;> Nga;gpbj;jtHfs; midtiuAk; kf;fs; mthplk; nfhz;Lte;jhHfs;. efH KOtJk; tPl;L thapy;Kd; $bapUe;jJ. gy;NtW gpzpfshy; tUe;jpa gyiu mtH Fzg;gLj;jpdhH. gy Nga;fisAk; Xl;bdhH: me;jg; Nga;fs; mtiu mwpe;jpUe;jjhy; mtw;iw mtH Ngrtpltpy;iy. ,NaR tpbaw;fhiyf; fUf;fypy; vOe;J jdpikahd XH ,lj;jpw;Fg; Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;whH. mq;Nf mtH ,iwtdplk; Ntz;bf; nfhz;bUe;jhH. rPNkhDk; mtUld; ,Ue;jtHfSk; mtiuj; Njbr; nrd;whHfs;. mtiuf; fz;lJk;> ;vy;yhUk; ck;ikj; Njbf;nfhz;bUf;fpwhHfs; ; vd;whHfs;. mjw;F mtH> ;ehk; mLj;j CHfSf;Fg; NghNthk;> thUq;fs;. mq;Fk; ehd; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;w Ntz;Lk;: Vnddpy; ,jw;fhfNt ehd; te;jpUf;fpNwd; ; vd;W nrhd;dhH. gpd;G mtH fypNya ehLKOtJk; nrd;W mtHfSila njhOiff; $lq;fspy; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;wp Nga;fis Xl;b te;jhH. xU ehs; njhONehahsH xUtH ,NaRtplk; te;J> ;ePH tpUk;gpdhy; vdJ Nehia ePf;f ck;khy; KbAk; ; vd;W Koe;jhs; gbapl;L Ntz;bdhH. ,NaR mtHkPJ ghpT nfhz;L jkJ ifia ePl;b mtiuj; njhl;L mthplk;>; ehd; tpUk;GfpNwd;> ckJ Neha; ePq;Ff! ; vd;whH. clNd njhONeha; mtiutpl;L ePq;f> mtH eykile;jhH. gpwF mthplk;> ;,ij ahUf;Fk; nrhy;y Ntz;lhk;> ftdkha; ,Uk;. Mdhy; ePH Ngha; ck;ikf; FUtplk; fhl;b> Neha; ePq;fpajw;fhf NkhNr fl;lisapl;Ls;s fhzpf;ifiar; nrYj;Jk;. ePH eykile;Js;SPH vd;gjw;F mJ rhd;whFk; ; vd;W kpff; fz;bg;ghff; $wp cldbahf mtiu mDg;gp tpl;lhH. Mdhy; mtH Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W ,e;jr; nra;jpia vq;Fk; mwptpj;Jg; gug;gpte;jhH. mjdhy; ,NaR ve;j efUf;Fs;Sk; ntspg;gilaha;r; nry;y Kbatpy;iy: ntspNa jd;ikahd ,lq;fspy; jq;fpte;jhH. vdpDk; kf;fs; vy;yh ,lq;fspypUe;Jk; mthplk; te;J nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;.

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rpy ehs;fSf;Fg;gpd; ,NaR kPz;Lk; fg;gHehFKf;Fr; nrd;whH. mtH tPl;by; ,Uf;fpwhH vd;Dk; nra;jp gutpw;W. gyH te;J $lNt> tPl;L thapyUfpYk; ,lkpy;yhky; Nghapw;W. mtH mtHfSf;F ,iwthHj;ijia vLj;Jiuj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhH. mg;NghJ Klf;FthjKw;w xUtiu ehy;tH Rke;J mthplk; nfhz;Lte;jdH. kf;fs; jpuz;bUe;j fhuzj;jhy; mtiu ,NaRTf;F Kd; nfhz;Ltu ,aytpy;iy. vdNt mtH ,Ue;j ,lj;jpw;F NkNy tPl;bd; $iuia cilj;Jj; jpwg;G cz;lhf;fp> Klf;FthjKw;wtiug; gLf;ifNahL fPNo ,wf;fpdH. ,NaR mtHfSila ek;gpf;ifiaf; fz;L> Klf;FthjKw;wthplk;> ;kfNd> cd; ghtq;fs; kd;dpf;fg;gl;ld ; vd;whH. mq;Nf mkHe;jpUe;j kiwE}y; mwpQH rpyH> ;,td; Vd; ,g;gbg; NgRfpwhd;? ,td; flTisg; gopf;fpwhd;. flTs; xUtNu md;wpg; ghtq;fis kd;dpf;f ahuhy; ,aYk;? ; vd cs;sj;jpy; vz;zpf; nfhz;bUe;jdH. clNd mtHfs; jkf;Fs; ,t;thW fz;Ztij ,NaR jkKs; czHe;J> mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;cq;fs; cs;sq;fspy; ,t;thW vz;ZtJ Vd;? Klf;FthjKw;w ,tdplk; ;cd; ghtq;fs; kd;dpf;fg;gl;ld ; vd;gjh? ;vOe;J cd; gLf;ifia vLj;Jf;nfhz;L el> vd;gjh? vJ vspJ? kz;Zyfpy; ghtq;fis kd;dpf;f khdpl kfDf;F mjpfhuk; cz;L vd;gij ePq;fs; mwpe;Jnfhs;s Ntz;Lk; ; vd;whH. gpd;G mtH Klf;FthjKw;wtiu Nehf;fp> ;ehd; cdf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;> eP vOe;J cd;Dila gLf;ifia vLj;Jf;nfhz;L cdJ tPl;Lf;Fg; Ngh ; vd;whH. mtUk; vOe;J clNd jk;Kila gL;fifia vLj;Jf;nfhz;L vy;yhUk; fhz ntspNa nrd;whH. ,jdhy; midtUk; kiyj;Jg;Ngha;> ;,ijg;Nghy ehk; xUNghJk; fz;ljpy;iyNa ; vd;W $wpf; flTisg; Nghw;wpg; Gfo;e;jdH. ,NaR kPz;Lk; flNyhuk; nrd;whH. kf;fs; $l;lj;jpdH vy;yhUk; mthplk; tuNt> mtH mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;jhH. gpd;G mq;fpUe;J mtH nrd;wNghJ my;NgAtpd; kfd; Nytp Rq;fr;rhtbapy; mkHe;jpUe;jijf; fz;lhH: mthplk;> ;vd;idg; gpd;gw;wp th ; vd;whH. mtUk; vOe;J ,NaRitg; gpd;gw;wpr; nrd;whH. gpd;G mtUila tPl;by; ge;jp mkHe;jpUe;jNghJ thpjz;LgtHfs;> ghtpfs; Mfpa gyH ,NaRNthLk; mtUila rPlNuhLk; tpUe;Jz;ldH. Vnddpy; ,tHfSs; gyH ,NaRitg; gpd;gw;wpatHfs;. mtH ghtpfNshLk; thpjz;LgtHfNshLk; cz;gijg; ghpNraiur; rhHe;j kiwE}y; mwpQH fz;L> mtUila rPlhplk;> ;,tH thpjz;LgtHfNshLk; ghtpfNshLk; NrHe;J cz;gNjd;? ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. ,NaR> ,ijf; Nfl;lTld; mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;Nehaw;wtHf;F my;y> NehAw;wtUf;Nf kUj;JtH Njit. NeHikahsHfis my;y> ghtpfisNa miof;f te;Njd; ; vd;whH. NahthDila rPlUk; ghpNraUk; Nehd;G ,Ue;Jte;jdH. rpyH ,NaRtplk;> ;NahthDila rPlHfSk; ghpNraUila rPlHfSk; Nehd;gpUf;f> ck;Kila rPlHfs; Vd; Nehd;gpUg;gjpy;iy? ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;kzkfd; jq;fNshL ,Uf;Fk;tiu kztpUe;jpdHfs; Nehd;G ,Uf;fKbAkh? kzkfd; mtHfNshL ,Uf;Fk; fhynky;yhk; mtHfs; Nehd;gpUf;f KbahJ. Mdhy; kzkfd; mtHfistpl;Lg; gphpaNtz;ba fhyk; tUk;. mg;NghJ mtHfSk; Nehd;G ,Ug;ghHfs;. vtUk; gioa Milapy; Gjpa Jzpia xl;Lg;NghLtjpy;iy. mt;thW xl;Lg;Nghl;lhy;> me;j Gjpa Jzp gioajpypUe;J fpopAk;? fpoprYk; nghpjhFk;. mJNghyg; gioa Njhw;igfspy;> vtUk; Gjpa jpuhl;ir kJit Cw;wp itg;gjpy;iy. Cw;wpitj;jhy; kJ Njhw;igfis ntbf;fr; nra;Ak;: kJTk; Njhw;igfSk; ghohFk;. Gjpa kJ GJj; Njhw;igfSf;Nf Vw;wJ ; vd;whH. Xa;T ehspy; ,NaR tay; topNa nry;y NeHe;jJ. mtUila rPlH fjpHfisf; nfha;Jnfhz;Nl top ele;jdH. mg;nghOJ ghpNraH ,NaRtplk;> ;ghUk;> Xa;T ehspy; nra;af;$lhjij Vd; ,tHfs; nra;fpwhHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F mtH mtHfsplk;> ;jhKk; jk;Kld; ,Ue;jtHfSk; cztpd;wpg; grpaha; ,Ue;jNghJ jhtPJ vd;d nra;jhH vd;gij ePq;fs; thrpj;jNj ,y;iyah? mgpaj;jhH jiyikf; Futha; ,Ue;jNghJ jhtPJ ,iw,y;yj;jpw;Fs; nrd;W> Fuf;fisj; jtpu NtW vtUk; cz;zf;$lhj mHg;gz mg;gq;fisj; jhk; cz;lJkd;wpj; jk;NkhL ,Ue;jtHfSf;Fk; nfhLj;jhH my;yth? ; vd;whH. NkYk; mtH mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;Xa;Tehs; kdpjUf;fhf cz;lhf;fg;gl;lJ: kdpjH Xa;T ehSf;fhf cz;lhf;fg;gltpy;iy. Mjyhy; Xa;T ehSk; khdpl kfDf;Ff; fl;Lg;gl;lNj ; vd;whH.

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mtH kPz;Lk; njhOiff;$lj;jpw;Fs; nrd;whH. mq;Nf if #k;gpatH xUtH ,Ue;jhH. rpyH ,NaRkPJ Fw;wk; Rkj;Jk; Nehf;Fld;> Xa;Tehspy; mtH mtiuf; Fzg;gLj;Jthuh vd;W $He;J ftdpj;Jf;nfhz;Nl ,Ue;jdH. ,NaR if #k;gptiu Nehf;fp> ;vOe;J> eLNt epy;Yk; ; vd;whH. gpd;G mtHfsplk;> ;Xa;Tehspy; ed;ik nra;tjh> jPik nra;tjh? capiuf; fhg;gjh> mopg;gjh? vJ Kiw? ; vd;W mtH Nfl;lhH. mtHfNsh NgrhjpUe;jhHfs;. mtH rpdj;Jld; mtHfisr; Rw;wpYk; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;J> mtHfsJ gpbthj cs;sj;ijf; fz;L tUe;jp> if #k;gpatiu Nehf;fp> ;ifia ePl;Lk; ; vd;whH. mtH ePl;bdhH. mtUila if kPz;Lk; eykile;jJ. clNd ghpNraH ntspNawp VNuhjpaNuhL NrHe;J ,NaRit vg;gb xopf;fyhk; vd mtUf;F vjpuhfr; #o;r;rp nra;jdH. ,NaR mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;Lj; jk; rPlUld; flNyhuk; nrd;whH. fypNyahtpypUe;J ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; mtiug; gpd;njhlHe;jdH. NkYk; a+Njah> vUrNyk;> ,JNkah> NahHjhd; mf;fiug;gFjp> jPH> rPNjhd; Mfpa ,lq;fspypUe;Jk; ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; mtH nra;jtw;iwnay;yhk; Nfs;tpAw;W mthplk; te;jdH. kf;fs; $l;lk; jk;ik neUf;fptplhjthW jkf;fhfg; glF xd;iw Kd;Ndw;ghlhf itj;jpUf;FkhW mtH rPlUf;Fr; nrhd;dhH. Vnddpy;> gyiu mtH Fzkhf;fpajhy;> NehAw;NwhH midtUk; mtiuj; njhlNtz;Lnkd;W te;J mtHkPJ tpOe;J nfhz;bUe;jdH. jPa MtpfSk; mtiuf; fz;lNghNj mtHKd; tpOe;J> ;,iwkfd; ePNu ; vd;W fj;jpd. mtNuh> jk;ik ntspg;gLj;j Ntz;lhnkd mtw;wplk; kpff; fz;bg;gha;r; nrhd;dhH. mjd;gpd;G ,NaR kiyNky; Vwpj; jhk; tpUk;gpatHfisj; jk;kplk; tutioj;jhH. mtHfSk; mthplk; te;jhHfs;. jk;NkhL ,Uf;fTk; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;w mDg;gg;glTk; Nga;fis Xl;l mjpfhuk; nfhz;bUf;fTk; mtH gd;dpUtiu epakpj;jhH: mtHfSf;Fj; jpUj;J}jH vd;Wk; ngahpl;lhH. mtH Vw;gLj;jpa gd;dpUtH KiwNa> NgJU vd;W mtH ngahpl;l rPNkhd;> nrgNjAtpd; kfd; ahf;NfhG> ahf;Nfhgpd; rNfhjuuhd Nahthd; - ,t;tpUtUf;Fk; ;,biag; Nghd;NwhH ; vdg; nghUs;gLk; nghtNdHNfR vd;W mtH ngahpl;lhH. me;jpNuah> gpypg;G> gHj;jyNkA> kj;NjA> Njhkh> my;NgAtpd; kfd; ahf;NfhG> jNjA> jPtputhjpaha; ,Ue;j rPNkhd;> ,NaRitf; fhl;bf; nfhLj;j a+jhR ,];fhhpNahj;J vd;NghH MtH. mjd;gpd; ,NaR tPl;bw;Fr; nrd;whH. kPz;Lk; kf;fs; $l;lk; te;J $bajhy; mtHfs; czT mUe;jTk; Kbatpy;iy. mtUila cwtpdH ,ijf; Nfs;tpg;gl;L> mtiug; gpbj;Jf;nfhz;Ltur; nrd;whHfs;. Vnddpy; mtH kjpkaq;fp ,Uf;fpwhH vd;W kf;fs; Ngrpf; nfhz;ldH. NkYk;> vUrNykpypUe;J te;jpUe;j kiwE}y; mwpQH> ;,tidg; ngay;nrg+y; gpbj;jpUf;fpwJ ; vd;Wk; ;Nga;fspd; jiytidf; nfhz;Nl ,td; Nga;fis Xl;Lfpwhd; ; vd;Wk; nrhy;ypf; nfhz;bUe;jdH. MfNt mtH mtHfisj; jk;kplk; tutioj;J mtHfSf;F ctikfs; thapyhff; $wpaJ: ;rhj;jhd; rhj;jhid vg;gb Xl;l KbAk;? jdf;F vjpuhfj; jhNd gpsTgLk; ve;j muRk; epiyj;J epw;f KbahJ. jdf;F vjpuhfj; jhNd gpsTgLk; ve;j tPLk; epiyj;J epw;f KbahJ. rhj;jhd; jd;idNa vjpHj;J epd;W gpsTgl;Lg; Nghdhy; mtd; epiyj;J epw;f KbahJ. mJNt mtdJ mopT. Kjypy; typatiuf; fl;bdhyd;wp mt;typatUila tPl;Lf;Fs; Eioe;J mtUila nghUs;fis vtuhYk; nfhs;isapl KbahJ: mtiuf; fl;b itj;j gpwFjhd; mtUila tPl;ilf; nfhs;isapl KbAk;. cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;. J}a Mtpiag; gopj;J ciug;gtH vtUk; vf;fhyj;jpYk; kd;dpg;Gg;ngwhH: mtH vd;nwd;Wk; jPuhj ghtj;jpw;F MshthH. Mdhy; kf;fSila kw;wg; ghtq;fs;> mtHfs; $Wk; gopg;Giufs; midj;Jk; mtHfSf;F kd;dpf;fg;gLk;. ;,tidj; jPa Mtp gpbj;jpUf;fpwJ ; vd;W jk;ikg; gw;wp mtHfs; nrhy;yp te;jjhy; ,NaR ,t;thW $wpdhH. mg;nghOJ mtUila jhAk; rNfhjuHfSk; te;J ntspNa epd;W nfhz;L mtiu tur; nrhy;yp Ms; mDg;gpdhHfs;. mtiur; #o;e;J kf;fs; $l;lk; mkHe;jpUe;jJ. ;mNjh> ck; jhAk; rNfhjuHfSk; rNfhjhpfSk; ntspNa epd;W nfhz;L ck;ikj; NjLfpwhHfs; ; vd;W mthplk; nrhd;dhHfs;. mtH mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;vd;jhAk; vd; rNfhjuHfSk; ahH? vd;W Nfl;L> jk;ikr; #o;e;J mkHe;jpUe;jtHfisr; Rw;wpYk; ghHj;J> ;,Njh! vd; jhAk; vd; rNfhjuHfSk; ,tHfNs. flTspd; jpUTsj;ij epiwNtw;WgtNu vd; rNfhjuUk; rNfhjhpAk; jhAk; MthH ; vd;whH.

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mtH kPz;Lk; flNyhuj;jpy; fw;gpf;fj; njhlq;fpdhH. khngUk; kf;fs; $l;lk; mthplk; xd;W$b tu> mtH flypy; epd;w xU glfpy; Vwp mkHe;jhH. jpuz;bUe;j kf;fs; midtUk; flw;fiuapy; ,Ue;jdH. mtH ctikfs; thapyhfg; gytw;iw mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;jhH. mtH mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;jJ: ;,Njh> NfSq;fs;> tpijg;gtH xUtH tpijf;fr; nrd;whH. mtH tpijf;Fk; nghOJ rpy tpijfs; topNahuk; tpOe;jd. gwitfs; te;J mtw;iw tpOq;fptpl;ld. NtW rpy tpijfs; kpFjpahf kz; ,y;yhg; ghiwg; gFjpfspy; tpOe;jd. mq;Nf kz; Mokhf ,y;yhjjhy; mit tpiutpy; Kisj;jd. Mdhy; fjputd; NkNy vo> mit fha;e;J> NtH ,y;yhikahy; fUfpg; Nghapd. kw;Wk; rpy tpijfs; Kl;nrbfspilNa tpOe;jd. Kl;nrbfs; tsHe;J mtw;iw neUf;fptplNt> mit tpisr;riyf; nfhLf;ftpy;iy. Mdhy; ,d;Dk; rpy tpijfs; ey;y epyj;jpy; tpOe;jd. mit Kisj;J tsHe;J> rpy Kg;gJ klq;fhfTk; rpy mWgJ klq;fhfTk; rpy E}W klq;fhfTk; tpisr;riyf; nfhLj;jd. Nfl;fr; nrtpAs;NshH Nfl;fl;Lk;. mtH jdpikahd ,lj;jpy; ,Ue;jNghJ mtiur; #o;e;J ,Ue;jtHfs;> gd;dpUtNuhL NrHe;J nfhz;L> ctikfisg;gw;wp mthplk; Nfl;lhHfs;. mjw;F ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;,iwahl;rpapd; kiwnghUis mwpa cq;fSf;Ff; nfhLj;J itj;jpUf;fpwJ: Gwk;Ng ,Uf;fpwtHfSf;Nfh vy;yhk; ctikfshfNt ,Uf;fpd;wd. vdNt mtHfs; ;xUNghJk; kdk; khwp kd;dpg;Gg; ngwhjgb fz;zhy; njhlHe;J ghHj;Jk; fz;Lnfhs;shkYk; fhjhy; njhlHe;J Nfl;Lk; fUj;jpy; nfhs;shkYk; ,Ug;ghHfs; ; vd;W $wpdhH. NkYk; mtH mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;,e;j ctik cq;fSf;Fg; Ghpatpy;iyah? gpd;G vg;gb kw;w ctikfisnay;yhk; ePq;fs; Ghpe;Jnfhs;tPHfs;? tpijg;gtH ,iwthHj;ijia tpijf;fpwhH. topNahuk; tpOe;j tpijfSf;F xg;ghdtHfs; thHj;ijiaf; Nfl;ghHfs;. Mdhy; mijf; Nfl;lTld; rhj;jhd; te;J mtHfSs; tpijf;fg;gl;l thHj;ijia vLj;JtpLfpwhd;. ghiwg; gFjpapy; tpijf;fg;gl;l tpijfSf;F xg;ghdtHfs; ,iwthHj;ijiaf; Nfl;lTld; mij kfpo;r;rpNahL Vw;Wf; nfhs;thHfs;. Mdhy; mtHfs; Ntuw;wtHfs;: rpwpJ fhyNk epiyj;jpUg;gtHfs;. ,iwthHj;ijapd; nghUl;L ,d;dNyh ,Lf;fz;Nzh NeHe;j clNd mtHfs; jLkhw;wk; milthHfs;. Kl;nrbfSf;F ,ilapy; tpijf;fgl;l tpijfSf;F xg;ghdtHfs; ,iwthHj;ijiaf; Nfl;Lk; cyff; ftiyAk; nry;t khiaAk; Vida jPa MirfSk; cl;GFe;J mt;thHj;ijia neUf;fp tpLtjhy; gad; mspf;fkhl;lhHfs;. ey;y epyj;jpy; tpijf;fg;gl;l tpijfSf;F xg;ghdtHfs; ,iwthHj;ijiaf; Nfl;L mij Vw;Wf; nfhz;L gad; mspg;ghHfs;. ,tHfSs; rpyH Kg;gJ klq;fhfTk; rpyH mWgJ klq;fhfTk; rpyH E}W klq;fhfTk; gad; mspg;gH ; vd;whH. ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;tpsf;iff; nfhz;L tUtJ vjw;fhf? kuf;fhypd; cs;NsNah fl;bypd; fPNoNah itg;gjw;fhfth? tpsf;Fj; jz;bd; kPJ itg;gjw;fhf my;yth? ntspg;glhJ kiwe;jpUg;gJ xd;Wkpy;iy. ntspahfhky; xspe;jpUg;gJ xd;Wkpy;iy. Nfl;fr; nrtpAs;NshH Nfl;fl;Lk; ; vd;whH. NkYk; mtH> ;ePq;fs; Nfl;gijf; Fwpj;Jf; ftdkhapUq;fs;. ePq;fs; ve;j msitahy; msf;fpwPHfNsh mNj msitahy; cq;fSf;Fk; msf;fg;gLk;: ,d;Dk; $LjyhfTk; nfhLf;fg;gLk;. Vnddpy;> cs;stUf;Ff; nfhLf;fg;gLk;: ,y;yhjthplkpUe;J cs;sJk; vLf;fg;gLk; ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. njhlHe;J ,NaR> ;,iwahl;rpiag; gpd;tUk; epfo;r;rpf;F xg;gplyhk;: epyj;jpy; xUtH tpijf;fpwhH. mtH vJTk; nra;ahkNy ehs;fs; efhe;J nry;fpd;wd. mtUf;Fj; njhpahky; tpij Kisj;J tsUfpwJ. Kjypy; jspH> gpd;G fjpH> mjd; gpd; fjpH epiwa jhdpak; vd;W epyk; jhdhfNt tpisr;ry; mspf;fpwJ. gapH tpise;jJk; mtH mhpthNshL Gwg;gLfpwhH: Vnddpy; mWtilf; fhyk; te;Jtpl;lJ ; vd;W $wpdhH. NkYk; mtH> ;,iwahl;rpia vjw;F xg;gplyhk;? my;yJ ve;j ctikahy; mij vLj;Jr; nrhy;yyhk;? mJ fLF tpijf;F xg;ghFk;. mJ epyj;jpy; tpijf;fg; gLk;nghOJ cyfpYs;s vy;yh tpijfisAk;tplr; rpwpaJ. mJ tpijf;fg;gl;lgpd; Kisj;njOe;J vy;yhr; nrbfisAk; tplg; nghpjhfp> thdj;Jg; gwitfs; mjd; epoypy; jq;ff; $ba msTf;Fg; ngUq;fpisfs; tpLk; ; vd;W $wpdhH. mtHfsJ Nfl;lwpAk; jpwikf;F Vw;g> mtH ,j;jifa gy cyikfshy; ,iwthHj;ijia mtHfSf;F vLj;Jiuj;J te;jhH. ctikfs; ,d;wp mtH mtHfNshL Ngrtpy;iy. Mdhy; jdpikahf ,Ue;jNghJ jk; rPlUf;F midj;ijAk; tpsf;fpr; nrhd;dhH. md;nwhU ehs; khiy Neuk;. ,NaR rPlHfis Nehf;fp> ;mf;fiuf;Fr; nry;Nthk;> thUq;fs; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; kf;fs; $l;lj;ij mDg;gptpl;L> glfpy; ,Ue;jthNw mtiuf; $l;br; nrd;whHfs;. NtW glFfSk; mtUld; nrd;wd. mg;nghOJ xU ngUK; Gay; mbj;jJ. miyfs; glfpd; Nky; njhlHe;J Nkhj> mJ jz;zPuhy; epuk;gpf; nfhz;bUe;jJ. mtNuh glfpd; gpw;gFjpapy; jiyaiz itj;Jj; J}q;fpf;nfhz;bUe;jhH. mtHfs;> ;NghjfNu> rhfg;NghfpNwhNk! ckf;Ff; ftiyapy;iyah? ; vd;W nrhy;yp mtiu vOg;gpdhHfs;. mtH tpopj;njOe;J fhw;iwf; fbe;J nfhz;lhH. fliy Nehf;fp> ;,iuahNj> mikjpahapU ; vd;whH. fhw;W mlq;fpaJ: kpFe;j mikjp cz;lhapw;W. gpd; mtH mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;Vd; mQ;RfpwPHfs;? cq;fSf;F ,d;Dk; ek;gpf;if ,y;iyah? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; Ngur;rk; nfhz;L> ;fhw;Wk; flYk; ,tUf;Ff; fPo;g;gbfpd;wdNt! ,tH ahNuh! ; vd;W xUtNuhL xUtH Ngrpf; nfhz;lhHfs;.

5

mtHfs; flYf;F mf;fiuapypUe;j nfuNrdH gFjpf;F te;jhHfs;. ,NaR gliftpl;L ,wq;fpa clNd jPa Mtp gpbj;j xUtH fy;yiwfspypUe;J mtUf;F vjpNu te;jhH. fy;yiwfNs mk;kdpjhpd; ciwtplk;. mtiu vtuhYk; xUKnghOJk; rq;fpypahy;$lf; fl;b itf;f Kbatpy;iy. Vnddpy;> mtiug; gy Kiw tpyq;FfshYk; rq;fpypfshYk; fl;bapUe;Jk; mtH rq;fpypfis cilj;J tpyq;Ffisj; jfHj;J vwpe;jhH. vtuhYk; mtiu ,lf;f ,aytpy;iy. mtH ,uT gfyha; ve;NeuKk; fy;yiwfspYk; kiyfspYk; $r;rypl;Lf; nfhz;bUe;jhH: jk;ikNa fw;fshy; fhag;gLj;jp te;jhH. mtH njhiyapypUe;J ,NaRitf; fz;L Xbte;J mtiug; gzpe;J> ;,NaRNt> cd;dj flTspd; kfNd> ckf;F ,q;F vd;d Ntiy? flTs; Nky; Miz! vd;id tijf;f Ntz;lhk; ; vd;W cuj;j Fuypy; fj;jpdhH. Vnddpy; ,NaR mthplk;> ;jPa MtpNa> ,e;j kdpjiu tpl;Lg; Ngh ; vd;W nrhy;ypapUe;jhH. mtH mk;kdpjhplk;> ;ck; ngaH vd;d? ; vd;W Nfl;f mtH> ;vd; ngaH ;,NyfpNahd; ;> Vnddpy; ehq;fs; gyH ; vd;W nrhy;yp> me;jg; gFjpapypUe;J jq;fis mDg;gptpl Ntz;lhnkd;W mtiu tUe;jp Ntz;bdhH. mq;Nf kiyg;gFjpapy; gd;wpfs; ngUq; $l;lkha; Nka;e;J nfhz;bUe;jd. ;ehq;fs; mg;gd;wpfSf;Fs; Gfk;gb vq;fis mq;Nf mDg;gptpLk; ; vd;W jPa Mtpfs; mtiu Ntz;bd. mtUk; mtw;Wf;F mDkjp nfhLj;jhH. gpd; jPa Mtpfs; ntspNawpg; gd;wpfSf;Fs; GFe;jd. Vwf;Fiwa ,uz;lhapuk; gd;wpfs; mlq;fpa me;jf; $l;lk; nrq;Fj;Jg; ghiwapypUe;J flypy; gha;e;J tPo;e;J %o;fpaJ. gd;wpfis Nka;j;Jf;nfhz;bUe;jtHfNsh Xbg;Ngha; efhpYk; ehl;Lg;Gwj;jpYk; ,ij mwptpj;jhHfs;. ele;jJ vd;dntd;W ghHf;f kf;fs; te;jdH. mtHfs; ,NaRtplk; te;jNghJ> Nga; gpbj;jpUe;jtH> mjhtJ ,NyfpNahd; gpbj;jpUe;j mtH> Milazpe;J mwpTj; njspTld; mkHe;jpUg;gijf; fz;L mr;rKw;whHfs;. ele;jijg; ghhj;jtHfs; Nga; gpbj;jtUf;Fk; gd;wpfSf;Fk; Nehpl;lij mtHfSf;F vLj;Jiuj;jhHfs;. mg;nghOJ mtHfs; jq;fs; gFjpia tpl;Lg; Ngha;tpLkhW ,NaRit Ntz;bf;nfhz;lhHfs;. mtH glfpy; VwpaJk; Nga; gpbj;jpUe;jtH jhKk; mtNuhL $l ,Uf;f Ntz;Lk; vd;W mtiu Ntz;bf;nfhz;lhH. Mdhy; mtH mjw;F ,irahky;> mtiug; ghHj;J> ;ckJ tPl;bw;Fg; Ngha; Mz;ltH ck;kPJ ,uf;fq; nfhz;L ckf;Fr; nra;jijnay;yhk; ck; cwtpdUf;F mwptpAk; ; vd;whH. mtH nrd;W> ,NaR jkf;Fr; nra;jijnay;yhk; njf;fg;nghyp ehl;by; mwptpj;J te;jhH. midtUk; tpag;Gw;wdH. ,NaR glNfwp> fliyf; fle;J kPz;Lk; kW fiuia mile;jJk; ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; mthplk; te;J $bdH. mtH flw;fiuapy; ,Ue;jhH. njhOiff; $lj; jiytHfSs; xUtuhd ahapH vd;gtH te;J> mtiuf; fz;L mtuJ fhypy; tpOe;J> ;vd; kfs; rhFe;jWthapy; ,Uf;fpwhs;. ePH te;J mts;kPJ ck; iffis itAk;. mg;NghJ mts; eyk; ngw;Wg; gpioj;Jf;nfhs;ths; ; vd;W mtiu tUe;jp Ntz;bdhH. ,NaRTk; mtUld; nrd;whH. ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; mtiu neUf;fpf; nfhz;Nl gpd;njhlHe;jdH. mg;NghJ gd;dpU Mz;Lfsha; ,uj;jg; Nghf;fpdhy; tUe;jpa ngz; xUtH mq;F ,Ue;jhH. mtH kUj;JtH gyhplk; jkf;F cs;snjy;yhk; nrytopj;Jk; xU gaDk; milahky; kpfTk; Jd;gg;gl;ltH. mtH epiyik tu tu kpfTk; NfLw;wJ. mtH ,NaRitg;gw;wpf; Nfs;tpg;gl;L kf;fs; $l;lj;Jf;fpilapy; mtUf;Fg; gpd;dhy; te;J mtuJ NkYiliaj; njhl;lhH. Vnddpy;> ;ehd; mtUila Miliaj; njhl;lhNy eyk; ngWNtd; ; vd;W mg;ngz; vz;zpf; nfhz;lhH. njhl;l clNd mtUila ,uj;jg; Nghf;F epd;W Nghapw;W. mtUk; jk; Neha; ePq;fp> eyk; ngw;wijj; jk; clypy; czHe;jhH. clNd ,NaR jk;kplkpUe;J ty;yik ntspNawpaijj; jk;Ks; czHe;J kf;fs; $l;lj;ijj; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;J> ;vd; NkYiliaj; njhl;ltH ahH? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mjw;F mtUila rPlHfs; mthplk;> ;,k;kf;fs; $l;lk; ck;ikr; #o;e;J neUf;Ftijf; fz;Lk;> ;vd;idj; njhl;ltH ahH? ; vd;fpwPNu! ; vd;whHfs;. Mdhy; mtH jk; NkYiliaj; njhl;ltiuf; fhZk;gb Rw;wpYk; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhH. mg;NghJ mg;ngz; jkf;F NeHe;jij mwpe;jtuha;> mQ;rp eLq;fpf;nfhz;L> mtHKd; te;J tpOe;J> epfo;e;jJ midj;ijAk; mthplk; nrhd;dhH. ,NaR mthplk;> ;kfNs> cdJ ek;gpf;if cd;idf; Fzkhf;fpw;F. mikjpAld; Ngh. eP Neha; ePq;fp eykhapU ; vd;whH. mtH njhlHe;J Ngrpf;nfhz;bUe;jNghJ> njhOiff; $lj; jiytUila tPl;bypUe;J Ms;fs; te;J> mthplk;> ;ck;Kila kfs; ,we;Jtpl;lhs;. Nghjfiu Vd; ,d;Dk; njhe;juT nra;fpwPH? ; vd;whHfs;. mtHfs; nrhd;dJ ,NaRtpd; fhjpy; tpOe;jJk;> mtH njhOiff;$lj; jiythplk;> ;mQ;rhjPH> ek;gpf;ifia kl;Lk; tplhjPH ; vd;W $wpdhH. mgH NgJU> ahf;NfhG> ahf;Nfhgpd; rNfhjuuhd Nahthd; MfpNahiuj; jtpu NtnwhUtiuAk; jk;Kld; tutpltpy;iy. mtHfs; njhOiff; $lj; jiythpd; tPl;bw;Fr; nrd;whHfs;. mq;Nf mkspiaAk; kf;fs; mOJ Xykpl;Lg; Gyk;GtijAk; ,NaR fz;lhH. mtH cs;Ns nrd;W> ;Vd; ,e;j mksp? Vd; ,e;j mOif? rpWkp ,wf;ftpy;iy> cwq;Ffpwhs; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; mtiug; ghHj;J eifj;jhHfs;. Mdhy; mtH midtiuAk; ntspNaw;wpagpd;> rpWkpapd; je;ijiaAk; jhiaAk; jk;Kld; ,Ue;jtHfisAk; $l;bf; nfhz;L> mr;rpWkp ,Ue;j ,lj;jpw;Fr; nrd;whH. rpWkpapd; ifiag; gpbj;J mtsplk;> ;jypj;jh $k; ; vd;whH. mjw;F> rpWkp> cdf;Fr; nrhy;YfpNwd;> vOe;jpL ; vd;gJ nghUs;. clNd mr;rpWkp vOe;J ele;jhs;. mts; gd;dpuz;L taJ Mdts;. kf;fs; nghpJk; jiyj;Jg;Ngha; nka;k;kwe;J epd;whHfs;. ;,ij ahUf;Fk; njhptpf;ff; $lhJ ; vd;W mtH mtHfSf;Ff; fz;bg;gha;f; fl;lisapl;lhH: mtSf;F czT nfhLf;fTk; nrhd;dhH.

6

mtH mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;Lj; jkJ nrhe;j CUf;F te;jhH. mtUila rPlUk; mtiug; gpd; njhlHe;jdH. Xa;Tehs; te;jNghJ mtH njhOiff;$lj;jpy; fw;gpf;fj; njhlq;fpdhH. mijf; Nfl;l gyH tpag;gpy; Mo;e;jdH. mtHfs;> ;,tUf;F ,itnay;yhk; vq;fpUe;J te;jd? vd;Nd ,tUf;F mUsg;gl;Ls;s Qhdk;! vd;Nd ,tUila iffshy; Mfk; ty;y nray;fs;! ,tH jr;rH my;yth! khpahtpd; kfd;jhNd! ahf;NfhG> NahNr> a+jh> rPNkhd; MfpNahH ,tUila rNfhjuH my;yth? ,tH rNfhjhpfs; ,q;F ek;NkhL ,Uf;fpwhHfs; my;yth? ; vd;whHfs;. ,t;thW mtiu Vw;Wf; nfhs;s mtHfs; jaq;fpdhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;nrhe;j ChpYk; Rw;wj;jpYk; jk; tPl;bYk; jtpu kw;nwq;Fk; ,iwthf;fpdH kjpg;Gg; ngWtH ; vd;whH. mq;Nf cly; eykw;NwhH rpyHNky; iffis itj;Jf; Fzkhf;fpaijj; jtpu NtW ty;y nray; vijAk; mtuhy; nra;a ,aytpy;iy. mtHfsJ ek;gpf;ifapd;ikiaf; fz;L mtH tpag;Gw;whH. mtH Rw;wpYKs;s CHfSf;Fr; nrd;W fw;gpj;Jte;jhH. mg;nghOJ mtH gd;dpUtiuAak; jk;kplk; tutioj;J> mtHfis ,UtH ,Utuhf mDg;gj; njhlq;fpdhH. mtHfSf;Fj; jPa Mtpfs; kPJ mjpfhuKk; mspj;jhH. NkYk;> ;gazj;jpw;Ff; ifj;jb jtpu czT> ig> ,ilf;fr;irapy; nrg;Gf; fhR Kjypa NtW vijAk; ePq;fs; vLj;Jf; nfhz;L Nghf Ntz;lhk;. Mdhy; kpjpab Nghl;Lf; nfhs;syhk;: mzpe;jpUf;Fk; mq;fp xd;Nw NghJk; ; vd;W mtHfSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;lhH. NkYk; mtH> ;ePq;fs; vq;NfahtJ xU tPl;Lf;Fs; nrd;why;> mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gLk;tiu mt;tPl;bNyNa jq;fpapUq;fs;. cq;fis ve;j CuhtJ Vw;Wf; nfhs;shkNyh cq;fSf;Fr; nrtp rha;f;fhkNyh Nghdhy; mq;fpUe;J ntspNaWk; nghOJ> cq;fs; fhy;fspy; gbe;Js;s J}rpia cjwptpLq;fs;. ,Jnt mtHfSf;F vjpuhd rhd;whFk; ; vd;W mtHfSf;Ff; $wpdhH: mg;gbNa mtHfs; Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W kf;fs; kdk; khw Ntz;Lnkd;W giwrhw;wpdhHfs;: gy Nga;fis Xl;bdhHfs;: cly; eykw;NwhH gyiu vz;nza; g+rpf; Fzg;gLj;jpdhHfs;. ,NaRtpd; ngaH vq;Fk; gutpaJ. VNuhJ murDk; mtiug; gw;wpf; Nfs;tpAw;whd;. rpyH> ;,we;j jpUKOf;F Nahthd; capUld; vOg;gg;gl;L tpl;lhH: ,jdhy; jhd; ,e;j ty;y nray;fs; ,tuhy; Mw;wg;gLfpd;wd ; vd;wdH. NtW rpyH> ;,tH vypah ; vd;wdH. kw;Wk; rpyH> ;Vida ,iwthf;fpdiug;Nghy; ,tUk; XH ,iwthf;fpdNu ; vd;wdH. ,ijf; Nfl;l VNuhJ> ;,tH NahthNd. mtH jiyia ehd; ntl;lr; nra;Njd;. Mdhy; mtH capUld; vOg;gg;gl;L tpl;lhH ; vd;W $wpdhd;. ,Nj VNuhJ> jd; rNfhjudhd gpypg;gpd; kidtp VNuhjpahit kidtpahf;fpf; nfhz;bUe;jhd;: mts; nghUl;L MsDg;gp Nahthidg; gpbj;Jf; fl;br; rpiwapy; milj;jpUe;jhd;. Vnddpy; Nahthd; VNuhjplk;> ;ck; rNfhjuH kidtpia ePH itj;jpUg;gJ Kiw my;y ; vdr; nrhy;ypte;jhH. mg;NghJ VNuhjpah mtHkPJ fho;g;GzHT nfhz;L> mtiuf; nfhiy nra;a tpUk;gpdhs;: Mdhy; mtshy; ,aytpy;iy. Vnddpy; Nahthd; NeHikAk; J}a;ikAk; cs;stH vd;gij VNuhJ mwpe;J mQ;rp mtUf;Fg; ghJfhg;G mspj;J te;jhd;. mtH nrhy;iyf; Nfl;L kpff; Fog;gKw;w NghjpYk;> mtUf;F kdKte;J nrtprha;j;jhd;. xU ehs; VNuhjpahTf;F ey;y tha;g;G xd;W fpilj;jJ. VNuhJ jd; gpwe;j ehspy; muritapdUf;Fk;> Mapuj;jtH jiytHfSf;Fk; fypNya Kjd;ikf; Fbkf;fSf;Fk; xU tpUe;J gilj;jhd;. mg;NghJ VNuhjpahtpd; kfs; cs;Ns te;J eldkhb VNuhijAk; tpUe;jpdiuAk; mfkfpor; nra;jhs;. murd; mr;rpWkpaplk;> ;cdf;F vd;d Ntz;LkhdhYk; Nfs;> jUfpNwd; ; vd;whd;. ;eP vd;dplk; vJ Nfl;lhYk;> Vd; vd; murpy; ghjpiaNa Nfl;lhYk; cdf;Fj; jUfpNwd; ; vd;Wk; Mizapl;Lf; $wpdhd;. mts; ntspNa nrd;W> ;ehd; vd;d Nfl;fyhk; ? ; vd;W jd;jhia tpdtpdhs;. mts;>;jpUKOf;F Nahthdpd; jiyiaf; Nfs; ; vd;whs;. clNd rpWkp murdplk; tpiue;J te;J> ;jpUKOf;F Nahthdpd; jiyia xU jl;by; itj;J ,g;NghNj vdf;Ff; nfhLk; ; vd;W Nfl;lhs;. ,ijf; Nfl;l murd; kpf tUe;jpdhd;. MdhYk; tpUe;jpdHKd; jhd; Mizapl;ljhy; mtSf;F mij kWf;f tpUk;gtpy;iy. clNd murd; xU fhtyid mDg;gp NahthDila jiyiaf; nfhz;LtUkhW gzpj;jhd;. mtd; nrd;W rpiwapy; mtUila jiyia ntl;b> mij xU jl;by; nfhz;Lte;J mr;rpWkpaplk; nfhLf;f> mtSk; mijj; jd; jhaplk; nfhLj;jhs;. ,ijf; Nfs;tpAw;w NahthDila rPlHfs; te;J mtUila cliy vLj;Jr; nrd;W xU fy;yiwapy; itj;jhHfs;. jpUj;J}jHfs; ,NaRtplk; te;J$bj; jhq;fs; nra;jit> fw;gpj;jitnay;yhk; mtUf;Fj; njhptpj;jhHfs;. mtH mtHfsplk;> ePq;fs; ghiyepyj;jpYs;s jdpikahd XH ,lj;jpw;Fr; nrd;W rw;W Xa;ntLq;fs; ; vd;whH. Vnddpy; gyH tUtJk; NghtJkha; ,Ue;jjhy;> cz;gjw;Ff;$l mtHfSf;F Neuk; fpilf;ftpy;iy. mt;thNw mtHfs; glNfwpg; ghiyepyj;jpy; cs;s jdpikahd XH ,lj;jpw;Fr; nrd;whHfs;. mtHfs; Gwg;gl;Lg; Nghtij kf;fs; ghHj;jhHfs;. gyH mtHfis ,d;dhnud;W njhpe;J nfhz;L> vy;yh efHfspypUe;Jk; fhy;eilahfNt $l;lkha; Xb> mtHfSf;FKd; mq;F te;J NrHe;jdH. mtH fiuapy; ,wq;fpaNghJ ngUe;jpushd kf;fisf; fz;lhH. mtHfs; Mahpy;yh MLfisg;Nghy; ,Ue;jjhy; mtHfs; kPJ ghpT nfhz;L> mtHfSf;Fg; gytw;iwf; fw;gpj;jhH. ,jw;Fs; neLNeukhfptplNt> rPlH mthplk; te;J> ;,t;tplk; ghiyepyk; Mapw;Nw> Vw;nfdNt neLNeuk; Mfptpl;lJ. Rw;wpYKs;s gl;bfSf;Fk; CHfSf;Fk; nrd;W cz;gjw;F VjhtJ mtHfNs thq;fpf;nfhs;SkhW ePH kf;fis mDg;gptpLk; ; vd;wdH. mtH mtHfsplk;> ;ePq;fNs mtHfSf;F czT nfhLq;fs; ; vd;W gjpyspj;jhH. mtHfs;> ;ehq;fs; Ngha; ,UE}W njdhhpaj;jpw;F mg;gk; thq;fp ,tHfSf;F cz;zf; nfhLf;f Ntz;Lk; vd;fpwPuh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhHfs;. mg;nghOJ mtH> ;cq;fsplk; vj;jid mg;gq;fs; ,Uf;fpd;wd? Ngha;g; ghUq;fs; ; vd;W $w> mtHfSk; ghHj;J tpl;L> ;Ie;J mg;gq;fSk; ,uz;L kPd;fSk; cs;sd ; vd;whHfs;. mtH vy;yhiuAk; gRk;Gy; jiuapy; mkur; nra;Ak;gb rPlHfisg; gzpj;jhH. kf;fs; E}W NguhfTk;> Ik;gJ NguhfTk; thpir thpiraha; mkHe;jdH. mtH me;j Ie;J mg;gq;fisAk; ,uz;L kPd;fisAk; vLj;J thdj;ij mz;zhe;J ghhj;J> flTisg; Nghw;wp> mg;gq;fisg; gpl;L> mtHfSf;Fg; ghpkhWtjw;fhfj; jk; rPlhplk; nfhLj;jhH. mt;thNw me;j ,U kPfisAk; vy;yhUf;Fk; gfpHe;jspj;jhH. midtUk; tapwhu cz;ldH. gpd; vQ;rpa mg;gj; Jz;LfisAk; kPd; Jz;LfisAk; gd;dpuz;L $ilfs; epiwa vLj;jdH. mg;gk; cz;l Mz;fspd; njhif Iahapuk;. ,NaR $l;lj;jpdiu mDg;gpf; nfhz;bUe;jhH. mg;nghOJ jk; rPliuAk; clNd glNfwpj; jkf;F Kd; mf;fiuapYs;s ngj;rha;jhTf;Fr; nry;YkhW mtH fl;lhag; gLj;jpdhH. mtH mtHfsplkpUe;J tpilngw;Wf;nfhz;L> ,iwtdplk; Ntz;Ltjw;fhf xU kiyf;Fr; nrd;whH. nghOJ rha;e;j gpwFk; glF eLf;flypy; ,Ue;jJ. Mdhy; mtH jdpNa fiuapy; ,Ue;jhH. mg;NghJ vjpHf; fhw;W mbj;jJ. rPlHfs; jz;L typf;fg; nghpJk; tUe;Jtijf; fz;l mtH fly;kPJ ele;J mtHfis Nehf;fp te;jhH: mtHfisf; fle;J nry;y tpUk;gpdhH. mg;NghJ Vwf;Fiwa ehd;fhk; fhty;Ntis. mtH fly;kPJ elg;gijf; fz;L> ;mJ Nga; ; vd;W vz;zp mtHfs; mywpdhHfs;. Vnddpy; vy;yhUNk mtiuf; fz;L mQ;rpf; fyq;fpdH. clNd ,NaR mtHfsplk; NgrpdhH. ;JzpNthbUq;fs;: ehd;jhd;> mQ;rhjPHfs; ; vd;whH: gpwF mtHfNshL glfpy; VwpdhH. fhw;W mlq;fpaJ. mtHfs; kpfkpf kiyj;Jg; NghdhHfs;. Vnddpy; mg;gq;fs;gw;wpa epfo;r;rpia mtHfs; Ghpe;Jnfhs;stpy;iy. mtHfs; cs;sk; kOq;fpg;NghapUe;jJ. mtHfs; kW fiuf;Fr; nrd;W nfdrNuj;Jg; gFjpia mile;J gliff; fl;b epWj;jpdhHfs;. mtHfs; gliftpl;L ,wq;fpa clNd> kf;fs; ,NaRit ,d;dhH vd;W fz;LzHe;J> mr;Rw;Wg; gFjp vq;Fk; Xbr; nrd;W> mtH ,Ug;gjhff; Nfs;tpg;gl;l ,lq;fSf;nfy;yhk; NehahsHfisg; gLf;ifapy; nfhz;L tuj; njhlq;fpdhHfs;. NkYk; mtH nrd;w Chfs;> efHfs;> gl;bfs; midj;jpYk; cly; eyk; Fd;wpNahiug; nghJtplq;fspy; fplj;jp> mtUila NkYilapd; Xuj;ijahtJ mtHfs; njhl mDkjpf;FkhW mtiu Ntz;bdhHfs;. mtiuj; njhl;l midtUk; eykile;jdH.

7

xUehs; ghpNraUk; vUrNykpypUe;J te;jpUe;j kiwE}y; mwpQH rpyUk; mthplk; te;J $bdH. mtUila rPlUs; rpyH jPl;lhd> mjhtJ> fOthj iffshy; cz;gij mtHfs; fz;lhHfs;. ghpNraUk;> Vd; a+jH midtUNk> jk; %jhijaH kuigg; gpd;gw;wpf; iffis Kiwg;gb fOthky; cz;gjpy;iy: re;ijapypUe;J thq;fpatw;iwf; fOtpa gpd;dNu cz;gH. mt;thNw fpz;zq;fs;> guzpfs;: nrk;Gfs; Mfpatw;iwf; fOTjy; Nghd;W mtHfs; filg;gpbf;f Ntz;bakuGfs; ,d;Dk; gy ,Ue;jd. MfNt ghpNraUk; kiwE}y; mwpQUk; mtiu Nehf;fp> ;ck; rPlH %jhijaH kuGg;gb elthky; jPl;lhd iffshy; czT mUe;JtNjd;? ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F mtH> ;ntspNtlf;fhuHfshfpa cq;fisg;gw;wp vrhah nghUj;jkhf ,iwthf;F ciuj;jpUf;fpwhH. ;,k;kf;fs; cjl;bdhy; vd;idg; Nghw;Wfpd;wdH: ,tHfs; cs;sNkh vd;id tpl;L ntF njhiyapy; ,Uf;fpwJ. kdpjf; fl;lisfisf; Nfhl;ghLfshff; fw;gpf;fpd;wdH. ,tHfs; vd;id topgLtJ tPz; ; vd;W mtH vOjpAs;shH. ePq;fs; flTspd; fl;lisfisf; iftpl;L kdpj kuigg; gpd;gw;wp tUfpwtHfs; ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. NkYk; mtH> ;cq;fs; kuig epiyehl;lf; flTspd; fl;lisfis ntF jpwikahfg; Gwf;fzpj;J tpl;BHfs;. ;cd; je;ijiaAk; jhiaAk; kjpj;Jel ; vd;Wk; je;ijiaNah jhiaNah rgpg;NghH nfhy;yg;gl Ntz;Lk; ; vd;Wk; NkhNr ciuj;jpUf;fpwhH my;yth! Mdhy; xUtH jk; jhiaNah je;ijiaNah ghHj;J> ;ehd; ckf;Fj; juf; flikg;gl;bUf;fpwJ ;nfhHghd; ; Mapw;W: mjhtJ flTSf;Ff; fhzpf;ifahapw;W ; vd;why;> mjd;gpd; mtH jk; jha; je;ijf;F ve;j cjtpAk; nra;a ePq;fs; mDkjpg;gjpy;iy. ,t;thW ePq;fs; ngw;Wf; nfhz;l kugpd; nghUl;Lf; flTspd; thHj;ijiag; gadw;wjhf;fp tpLfpwPHfs;. ,Jnghh ePq;fs; gytw;iwr; nra;fpwPHfs; ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. ,NaR kf;fs; $l;lj;ij kPz;Lk; jk;kplk; tutioj;J> mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;ehd; nrhy;tij midtUk; Nfl;Lg; Ghpe;J nfhs;Sq;fs;. ntspNaapUe;J kdpjUf;Fs;Ns nrd;W mtHfisj; jPl;Lg;gLj;jf; $baJ xd;Wkpy;iy. kdpjUf;F cs;NsapUe;J ntspNa tUgitNa mtHfisj; jPl;Lg; gLj;Jk;. (Nfl;fr; nrtpAs;NshH Nfl;fl;Lk; ;) vd;W $wpdhH. mtH kf;fs; $l;lj;ij tpl;L tPl;bw;Fs; te;jNghJ mtUila rPlH mthplk; ,e;j ctikiag;gw;wpf; Nfl;f> mtH mtHfsplk;> ;ePq;fSkh ,e;j msTf;Fg; Ghpe;Jnfhs;shky; ,Uf;fpwPHfs;? ntspNaapUe;J kdpjUf;Fs;Ns nry;Yk; vJTk; mtHfisj; jPl;Lg; gLj;j KbahJ vd cq;fSf;Fj; njhpahjh? Vndd;why;> mJ mtHfSila cs;sj;jpy; Eioahky; tapw;Wf;Fr; nrd;W fopg;gplj;jpw;Fg; Ngha; tpLfpwJ ; vd;whH. ,t;thW mtH vy;yh czTg; nghUs;fSk; J}adntd;W Fwpg;gpl;lhH. NkYk; ;kdpjUf;F cs;NsapUe;J tUtNj mtHfisj; jPl;Lg;gLj;Jk;. Vnddpy; kdpj cs;sj;jpypUe;Nj guj;ijik> fsT> nfhiy> tpgrhuk;> Nguhir> jPr;nray;> tQ;rfk;> fhkntwp> nghwhik> gopg;Giu> nrUf;F> kjpNfL Mfpatw;iwr; nra;aj; J}z;Lk; jPa vz;zq;fs; ntsptUfpd;wd. jPadthfpa ,it midj;Jk; cs;sj;jpypUe;J te;J kdpjiuj; jPl;Lg; gLj;Jfpd;wd ; vd;whH. ,NaR vOe;J mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;Lj; jPH gFjpf;Fs; nrd;whH. mq;Nf mtH xU tPl;bw;Fs; NghdhH: jhk; mq;fpUg;gj vtUf;Fk; njhpahjpUf;f Ntz;Lnkd;W tpUk;gpAk; mij kiwf;f ,aytpy;iy. clNd ngz; xUtH mtiug; gw;wpf; Nfs;tpg;gl;L cs;Ns te;J> mtH fhypy; tpOe;jhH. mtUila kfisj; jPa Mtp gpbj;jpUe;jJ. mtH xU fpNuf;fg;ngz;: rphpa ngdprpa ,dj;ijr; NrHe;jtH. mtH jk; kfsplkpUe;J Ngia Xl;btpLkhW mtiu Ntz;bdhH. ,NaR mtiug; ghHj;J> ;Kjypy; gps;isfs; tapwhu cz;zl;Lk;. gps;isfSf;Fhpa czit vLj;J eha;f; Fl;bfSf;Fg; NghLtJ Kiway;y ; vd;whH. mjw;F mg;ngz;> ;Mk; Iah> MdhYk; Nkirapd; fPopUf;Fk; eha;f;Fl;bfs; rpW gps;isfs; rpe;Jk; rpW Jz;Lfisj; jpd;DNk ; vd;W gjpyspj;jhH. mg;nghOJ ,NaR mthplk;> ;ePH ,g;gbr; nrhd;djhy; Nghfyhk;: Nga; ck;kfis tpl;L ePq;fpw;W ; vd;whH. mg;ngz; jk; tPL jpUk;gpaJk; jk; gps;is fl;bypy; gLj;jpUf;fpwijAk; Nga; Xbtpl;lijAk; fz;lhH. kPz;Lk; ,NaR jPH gFjpia tpl;L> rPNjhd; topahfr; nrd;W njf;fg;nghyp gFjp eLNt te;J> fypNyaf; fliy mile;jhH. fhJ NfshjtUk; jpf;fpg;NgRgtUkhd xUtiur; rpyH mthplk; nfhz;L te;J> mtHkPJ ifitj;Jf; Fzkhf;FkhW mtiu Ntz;bf; nfhz;ldH. ,NaR mtiuf; $l;lj;jpypUe;J jdpNa mioj;Jr; nrd;W> jk; tpuy;fis mtH fhJfspy; ,l;L> ckpo;ePuhy; mtH ehitj; njhl;lhH. gpwF thdj;ij mz;zhe;J ghHj;J> ngU%r;R tpl;L> mtiu Nehf;fp ;vg;gj;jh ; mjhtJ ;jpwf;fg;gL ; vd;whH. clNd mtUila fhJfs; jpwf;fg;gl;ld: ehTk; fl;ltpo;e;jJ. mtH njspthfg; NgrpdhH. ,ij vtUf;Fk; nrhy;y Ntz;lhnkd;W mtHfSf;F mtH fl;lisapl;lhH. mtuJ fl;lisf;F NeHkhwhf ,d;Dk; kpFjpaha; mtHfs; mij mwptpj;J te;jhHfs;. mtHfs; msT fle;j tpag;gpy; Mo;e;jtHfsha; > ;,tH vj;Jiz ed;whf ahtw;iwAk; nra;J tUfpwhH! fhJNfshNjhH Nfl;fTk; Ngr;rw;NwhH NgrTk; nra;fpwhNu! ; vd;W Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;.

8

me;ehs;fspy; kPz;Lk; ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; $bapUe;jhHfs;. cz;gjw;F mtHfsplk; xd;Wkpy;iy. ,NaR jk; rPliu tutioj;J mtHfsplk;> ;ehd; ,k;kf;fs; $l;lj;jpd; kPJ ghpTnfhs;fpNwd;. Vw;nfdNt %d;W ehs;fshf ,tHfs; vd;Dld; ,Uf;fpwhHfs;. cz;gjw;Fk; ,tHfsplk; vJTkpy;iy. ehd; ,tHfisg; gl;bdpahf tPl;bw;F mDg;gptpl;lhy; topapy; jsHr;rp milthHfs;. ,tHfSs; rpyH neLe;njhiyapypUe;J te;Js;sdH ; vd;W $wpdhH. mjw;F mtUila rPlHfs;> ;,g;ghiyepyj;jpy; ,tHfSf;Fg; NghJkhd czT mspg;gJ vg;gb? ; vd;W Nfl;lhHfs;. mg;NghJ mtH mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;cq;fsplk; vj;jid mg;gq;fs; cs;sd? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; ;VO ; vd;whHfs;. jiuapy; mku kf;fSf;F mtH fl;lisapl;lhH: gpd;G me;j VO mg;gq;fisAk; vLj;J> flTSf;F ed;wp nrYj;jp> gpl;L> ghpkhWk;gb jk; rPlHfsplk; nfhLf;f> mtHfSk; kf;fSf;F mspj;jhHfs;. rpW kPd;fs; rpyTk; mtHfsplk; ,Ue;jd. mtw;wpd;kPJ mtH Mrp$wpg; ghpkhwr; nrhd;dhH. mtHfs; tapwhu cz;lhHfs;. kPjpaha; ,Ue;j Jz;Lfis VO $ilfs; epiwa vLj;jhHfs;. mq;F ,Ue;jtHfs; Vwf;Fiwa ehyhapuk; NgH. gpd;G mtH mtHfis mDg;gptpl;lhH: cldbahfj; jk; rPlUld; glNfwpj; jy;kDj;jh gFjpf;Fr; nrd;whH. ghpNraH te;J ,NaRNthL thjhlj; njhlq;fpdH: thdj;jpypUe;J milahsk; xd;iwf; fhl;Lk;gb mtiur; Nrhjpj;jdH. mtH ngU%r;Rtpl;L> ;,e;jj; jiyKiwapdH milahsk; Nfl;gNjd;? ,j;jiyKiwapdUf;F milahsk; vJTk; nfhLf;fg;gl khl;lhJ vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. mtHfis tpl;L mfd;W kPz;Lk; glNfwp mtH kW fiuf;Fr; nrd;whH. rPlHfs; jq;fSf;Fj; Njitahd mg;gq;fis vLj;Jr;nry;y kwe;Jtpl;lhHfs;. glfpy; mtHfsplk; XH mg;gk; kl;LNk ,Ue;jJ. mg;nghOJ ,NaR> ;ghpNraH> VNuhjpaH MfpNahuJ Gspg;G khitf; Fwpj;J kpfTk; ftdkhapUq;fs; ; vd;W mtHfSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;lhH. mtHfNsh jq;fsplk; mg;gk; ,y;iyNa vd;W xUtNuhL xUtH Ngrpf;nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. ,ij mwpe;j ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;ePq;fs; cq;fsplk; mg;gk; ,y;iy vd Vd; Ngrpf; nfhs;SfpwPHfs; ? ,d;Dkh czuhkYk; Ghpe;J nfhs;shkYk; ,Uf;fpwPHfs;? cq;fs; cs;sk; kOq;fpah Nghapw;W? fz;zpUe;Jk; ePq;fs; fhz;gjpy;iyah? fhjpUe;Jk; ePq;fs; Nfl;gjpy;iyah? Vd;> cq;fSf;F epidtpy;iyah? Ie;J mg;gq;fis ehd; Iahapuk; NgUf;Fg; gpl;L mspj;j NghJ> kPjpahd Jz;Lfis vj;jid $ilfs; epiwa vLj;jPHfs;? ; vd;W mtH Nfl;f> mtHfs; ;gd;dpuz;L ; vd;whHfs;. ;VO mg;gq;fis ehd; ehyhapuk; NgUf;Fg; gpl;L mspj;jNghJ kPjpj; Jz;Lfis vj;jid $ilfs; epiwa vLj;jPHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;f> mtHfs;> ;VO ; vd;whHfs;. NkYk; mtH mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;,d;Dk; cq;fSf;Fg; Ghpatpy;iyah? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; ngj;rha;jh te;jile;jhHfs;. mg;nghOJ rpyH ghHitaw;w xUtiu ,NaRtplk; nfhz;Lte;J> mtiuj; njhLk;gb Ntz;bdH. mtH ghHitaw;wtuJ ifiag; gpbj;J CUf;F ntspNa mioj;Jr; nrd;whH. mtUila tpopfspy; ckpo;e;J iffis mtHNky; itj;J> ;VjhtJ ghHf;fpwPuh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtH epkpHe;J ghHj;J> ;kdpjiug; ghHf;fpNwd;. mtHfs; kuq;fisg; Nghyj; Njhd;WfpwhHfs;. Mdhy; elf;fpwhHfs; ; vd;W nrhd;dhH. ,NaR kPz;Lk; jk; iffis mtUila fz;fspd;kPJ itj;jhH. mg;NghJ mtH eykile;J Kog; ghYit ngw;W midj;ijAk; njspthff; fz;lhH. ,NaR mthplk;> ;Chpy; Eioa Ntz;lhk; ; vd;W $wp mtiu mtUila tPl;bw;F mDg;gptpl;lhH. ,NaR jk; rPlUld; gpypg;Gr; nrrhpahitr; rhHe;j CHfSf;Fg; Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;whH. topapy; mtH jk; rPliu Nehf;fp> ;ehd; ahH vd kf;fs; nrhy;fpwhHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mjw;F mtHfs; mthplk;> ;rpyH jpUKOf;F Nahthd; vdTk; NtW rpyH vypah vdTk; kw;Wk; rpyH ,iwthf;fpdUs; xUtH vdTk; nrhy;fpd;wdH ; vd;whHfs;. ;Mdhy; ePq;fs; ehd; ahH vdr; nrhy;fpwPHfs;? ; vd;W mtH mtHfisf; Nfl;f> NgJU kWnkhopahf> ;ePH nkrpah ; vd;W ciuj;jhH. jk;ikg;gw;wp vthplKk; nrhy;y Ntz;lhk; vd;W mtHfsplk; mtH fz;bg;gha;f; $wpdhH. ;khdplkfd; gythW Jd;gg;glTk; %g;gHfs;> jiyikf; Fuf;fs;> kiwE}y; mwpQHfs; MfpNahuhy; cjwpj; js;sg;gl;Lf; nfhiy nra;ag;glTk; %d;W ehs;fSf;Fg;gpd; capHj;njoTk; Ntz;Lk; ; vd;W ,NaR mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpf;fj; njhlq;fpdhH. ,ijnay;yhk; mtH ntspg;gilahfNt nrd;dhH. NgJU mtiuj; jdpNa mioj;Jf; fbe;J nfhz;lhH. Mdhy; ,NaR jk; rPlHfs; gf;fk; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;J NgJUtplk;> ;vd; fz; Kd; epy;yhNj> rhj;jhNd. Vnddpy; eP flTSf;F Vw;wit gw;wp vz;zhky; kdpjUf;F Vw;wit gw;wpNa vz;Zfpwha; ; vd;W fbe;Jnfhz;lhH. gpd;G mtH kf;fs; $l;lj;ijAk; rPliuAk; jk;kplk; tutioj;J> ; vd;idg; gpd;gw;w tpUk;Gk; vtUk; jd;dyk; Jwe;J> jk; rpYitiaj; J}f;fpf;nfhz;L vd;idg; gpd;gw;wl;Lk;. Vnddpy; jk; capiuf; fhj;Jf;nfhs;s tpUk;Gk; vtUk; mij ,oe;J tpLthH: vd; nghUl;Lk; ew;nra;jpapd; nghUl;Lk; jk; capiu ,of;Fk; vtUk; mijf; fhj;Jf; nfhs;thH. xUtH cyfk; KOtijAk; jkjhf;fpf; nfhz;lhYk; jk; tho;itNa ,og;ghnudpy; mtUf;Ff; fpilf;Fk; gad; vd;d? mtH jk; tho;Tf;F 9

NkYk; mtH mtHfsplk;> ;,q;Nf ,Ug;gtHfSs; rpyH ,iwahl;rp ty;yikNahL te;Js;sijf; fhz;gjw;FKd; rhfkhl;lhHfs; vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. MW ehs;fSf;Fg; gpd;G> ,NaR NgJUitAk; ahf;NfhigAk; NahthidAk; mioj;J> XH caHe;j kiyf;F mtHfiskl;Lk; jdpikahff; $l;bf;nfhz;L NghdhH. mq;Nf mtHfs;Kd; mtH Njhw;wk; khwpdhH. mtUila Milfs; ,t;Tyfpy; ve;j fyitf;fhuUk; ntSf;f Kbahj msTf;F nts;is ntNsnud xsptPrpd. mg;NghJ vypahTk; NkhNrAk; mtHfSf;Fj; Njhd;wpdH. ,UtUk; ,NaRNthL ciuahbf; nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. NgJU ,NaRitg; ghHj;J> ;ugp> ehk; ,q;NfNa ,Ug;gJ ey;yJ. ckf;F xd;Wk; NkhNrf;F xd;Wk; vypahTf;F xd;Wkhf %d;W $lhuq;fis mikg;Nghk; ; vd;whH. jhk; nrhy;tJ vd;dntd;W mtUf;Fj; njhpatpy;iy. Vnddpy; mtHfs; kpFe;j mr;rk; nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. mg;NghJ xU Nkfk; te;J mtHfs;Nky; epoypl me;j Nkfj;jpdpd;W> ;vd; md;ghHe;j ike;jH ,tNu: ,tUf;Fr; nrtprhAq;fs; ; vd;W xU Fuy; xypj;jJ. cldbahf mtHfs; Rw;WKw;Wk; ghHj;jhHfs;. jq;fs; mUfpy; ,NaR xUtiuj; jtpu NtW vtiuAk; fhztpy;iy. mtHfs; kiyapypUe;J ,wq;fp te;Jnfhz;bUe;j NghJ mtH> ;khdpl kfd; ,we;J capHj;njOk; tiu> ePq;fs; fz;lij vtUf;Fk; vLj;Jiuf;ff; $lhJ ; vd;W mtHfSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;lhH. mtHfs; ,t;thHj;ijia mg;gbNa kdj;jpy; ,Uj;jp> ;,we;J capHj;njOjy; ; vd;why; vd;dntd;W xUtNuhL xUtH Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;. mtHfs; mthplk;> ;vypahjhd; Kjypy; tuNtz;Lk; vd;W kiwE}y; mwpQH $WtNjd;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhHfs;. mjw;F mtH> ;vypah Kjypy; te;J vy;yhtw;iwAk; rPHg;gLj;jg; NghfpwhH vd;W $WtJ cz;ikNa. Mdhy; khdpl kfd; gy Jd;gq;fs; glTk; ,fo;e;J js;sg;glTk; Ntz;Lnkd;W mtiuf; Fwpj;J vOjg;gl;Ls;sNj> mJ vg;gb? MfNt ehd; cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;: vypah te;Jtpl;lhH. mtHfs; jhq;fs; tpUk;gpathnwy;yhk; mtUf;Fr; nra;jhHfs;. mtiuf; Fwpj;J kiwE}ypy; vOjpAw;wthNw mit epfo;e;jd ; vd;whH. mtHfs; kw;w rPlhplk; te;jnghOJ> ngUe;jpushd kf;fs; mtHfisr; #o;e;jpUg;gijAk; kiwE}y; mwpQH mtHfSld; thjhLtijAk; fz;ldH. kf;fs; midtUk; ,NaRitf; fz;l clNd kpf tpag;Gw;W mthplk; Xbg;Ngha; mtiu tho;j;jpdH. mtH mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;ePq;fs; ,tHfNshL vijg;gw;wp thjhLfpwPHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mg;NghJ $l;lj;jpypUe;J xUtH mtiug; ghHj;J> ;NghjfNu. jPa Mtp gpbj;Jg; Ngr;rpoe;j vd; kfid ck;kplk; nfhz;L te;Njd;. mJ mtidg; gpbj;J me;j ,lj;jpNyNa mtidf; fPNo js;SfpwJ. mtd; thapy; Eiu js;spg; gw;fis nehpf;fpwhd;: clk;Gk; tpiwj;Jg;NghfpwJ. mij Xl;btpLk;gb ehd; ck; rPlhplk; Nfl;Nld;: mtHfshy; ,aytpy;iy ; vd;W $wpdhH. mjw;F mtH mtHfsplk;> ;ek;gpf;ifaw;w jiyKiwapdNu. vt;tsT fhyk; ehd; cq;fNshL ,Uf;f ,aYk;? vt;tsT fhyk; ehd; cq;fisg; nghWj;Jf;nfhs;s ,aYk;? mtid vd;dplk; nfhz;LthUq;fs; ; vd;W $wpdhH. mtHfs; mtid mthplk; nfhz;Lte;jhHfs;. mtiuf; fz;lTld; me;j Mtp mtDf;F typg;G cz;lhf;f. mtd; jiuapy; tpOe;J Guz;lhd;: thapy; Eiu js;spaJ. mtH mtDila je;ijiag; ghHj;J> ;,J ,tDf;F te;J vt;tsT fhykhapw;W? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mjw;F mtH> ;Foe;ijg; gUtj;jpypUe;J ,J ,Ue;JtUfpwJ. ,tid xopj;Jtplj; jPapYk; jz;zPhpYk; gyKiw me;j Mtp ,tidj; js;spaJz;L. ck;khy; VjhtJ nra;a ,aYkhdhy; vq;fs;kPJ ghpT nfhz;L vq;fSf;F cjtp nra;Ak; ; vd;whH. ,NaR mtiu Nehf;fp> ;,aYkhdhyh? ek;GfpwtUf;F vy;yhk; epfOk; ; vd;whH. clNd mr;rpWtdpd; je;ij> ;ehd; ek;GfpNwd;. vd; ek;gpf;ifapd;ik ePq;f cjTk; ; vd;W fjwpdhH. mg;NghJ kf;fs; $l;lk; jk;kplk; XbtUtij ,NaR fz;L> me;jj; jPa Mtpia mjl;b> ;Cikr; nrtpl;L MtpNa>cdf;Ff; fl;lisapLfpNwd;: ,tid tpl;Lg; Ngh: ,dp ,tDs; EioahNj ; vd;whH. mJ mywp mtDf;F kpFe;j typg;G cz;lhf;fp ntspNawpaJ. mr;rpWtd; nrj;jtd; Nghyhdhd;. MfNt mtHfSs; gyH> ;mtd; ,we;Jtpl;lhd; ; vd;wdH. ,NaR mtd; ifiag; gpbj;Jj; J}f;fptpl;lhH. mtDk; vOe;jhd;. mtH tPl;by; Eioe;jJk; mtUila rPlH mthplk; jdpikahf te;J> ;mij Vd; vq;fshy; Xl;l ,aytpy;iy? ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F mtH> ;,t;tifg; Nga; ,iw Ntz;lypdhYk; (Nehd;gpdhYk; ) md;wp NtW vjdhYk; ntspNawhJ ; vd;whH. mtHfs; mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;Lf; fypNyah topahfr; nrd;whHfs;. mJ ahUf;Fk; njhpaf;$lhJ vd;W ,NaR tpUk;gpdhH. Vnddpy;> ;khdplkfd; kf;fspd; ifapy; xg;Gtpf;fg;gltpUf;fpwhH: mtHfs; mtiuf; nfhiy nra;thHfs;. nfhy;yg;gl;l %d;W ehs;fSf;Fg; gpd; mtH capHj;njOthH ; vd;W mtH jk; rPlUf;Ff; fw;gpj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jhH. mtH nrhd;dJ mtHfSf;F tpsq;ftpy;iy. mthplk; tpsf;fk; Nfl;fTk; mtHfs; mQ;rpdhHfs;. mtHfs; fg;gHehFKf;F te;jhHfs;. mtHfs; tPl;by; ,Ue;j nghOJ ,NaR: ;topapy; ePq;fs; vijg;gw;wp thjhbf; nfhz;bUe;jPHfs;? ; vd;W mtHfsplk; Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; NgrhjpUq;fs;. Vnddpy; jq;fSs; nghpatH ahH vd;gijg;gw;wp topapy; xUtNuhL xUtH thjhbf; nfhz;L te;jhHfs;. mg;nghOJ mtH mkHe;J> gd;dpUtiuAk; $g;gpl;L> mtHfsplk;> ;xUtH Kjy;tuhf ,Uf;f tpUk;gpdhy; mtH midthpYk; filrpahdtuhfTk; midtUf;Fk; njhz;luhfTk; ,Uf;fl;Lk; ; vd;whH. gpwF mtH xU rpW gps;isia vLj;J> mtHfs; eLNt epWj;jp> mij mutizj;Jf; nfhz;L> ;,j;jifa rpWgps;isfSs; xd;iw vd; ngauhy; Vw;Wf; nfhs;gtH vtUk; vd;idNa Vw;Wf;nfhs;fpwhH. vd;id Vw;Wf; nfhs;gtH vd;idkl;Lk; my;y> vd;id mDg;gpdtiuNa Vw;Wf; nfhs;fpwhH ; vd;whH. mg;nghOJ Nahthd; ,NaRtplk;> ;NghjfNu > xUtH ckJ ngauhy; Nga;fs; Xl;Ltijf; fz;L> ehq;fs; mtiuj; jLf;fg; ghHj;Njhk;. Vnddpy; mtH ek;ikr; rhuhjtH ; vd;whH. mjw;F ,NaR $wpaJ: ;jLf;f Ntz;lhk;. Vnddpy; vd; ngauhy; ty;ynray; GhpgtH mt;tsT vspjhf vd;idf; Fwpj;J ,fo;e;J Ngr khl;lhH. Vnddpy; ekf;F vjpuhf ,uhjtH ek; rhHghf ,Uf;fpwhH. ePq;fs; fpwp];Jitr; rhHe;jtHfs; vd;gjhy; cq;fSf;F xU fpz;zk; jz;zPH nfhLg;gtH ifk;khW ngwhky; NghfhH vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;. ; ;vd;kPJ ek;gpf;ifnfhz;Ls;s ,r;rpwpNahUs; vtiuahtJ ghtj;jpy; tpor; nra;NthUila fOj;jpy; XH ve;jpuf; fy;iyf; fl;b> flypy; js;sptpLtNj mtHfSf;F ey;yJ. cq;fs; if cq;fisg; ghtj;jpy; tpor; nra;jhy; mij ntl;b tpLq;fs;. ePq;fs; ,U ifAilatuha; mizahj neUg;Gs;s eufj;Jf;Fs; js;sg;gLtijtpl> if CdKw;wtuha; epiytho;tpy; GFtJ cq;fSf;F ey;yJ. cq;fs; fhy; cq;fisg; ghtj;jpy; tpor; nra;jhy; mij ntl;b tpLq;fs;. ePq;fs; ,U fhYilatuha; eufj;jpy; js;sg;gLtijtpl fhy; CdKw;wtuha; tho;tpy; GFtJ cq;fSf;F ey;yJ. cq;fs; fz; cq;fisg; ghtj;jpy; tpor; nra;jhy;> mijg; gpLq;fp vwpe;J tpLq;fs;. ePq;fs; ,U fz;Zilatuha; eufj;jpy; js;sg;gLtijtpl xw;iwf; fz;zuha; ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtJ cq;fSf;F ey;yJ. eufj;jpNyh mtHfisj; jpd;Dk; GO rhfhJ: neUg;Gk; mtpahJ. Vnddpy; gypg;nghUs; cg;ghy; J}a;ikahf;fg;gLtJNghy; xt;nthUtUk; neUg;ghy; J}a;ikahf;fg;gLtH. cg;G ey;yJ. Mdhy; mJ ctHg;gw;Wg; Nghdhy; vijf;nfhz;L mij ctHg;Gs;sjhf;FtPHfs;? ePq;fs; cg;gpd; jd;ik nfhz;bUq;fs;. xUtNuhL xUtH mikjpAld; thOq;fs;.

10

,NaR mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;L a+Njag; gFjpfSf;Fk; NahHjhd; mf;fiug; gFjpf;Fk; te;jhH. kPz;Lk; kf;fs; mthplk; te;J $bdH. mtUk; tof;fk; Nghy kPz;Lk; mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;jhH. ghpNraH mtiu mZfp> ;fztd; jd; kidtpia tpyf;fptpLtJ Kiwah? ; vd;W Nfl;L mtiur; Nrhjpj;jdH. mtH mtHfsplk; kWnkhopahf> ;NkhNr cq;fSf;F ,l;l fl;lis vd;d? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs;> ;NkhNr kztpyf;Fr; rhd;wpjo; vOjp mtiu tpyf;fptplyhk; vd;W mDkjp mspj;Js;shH ; vd;W $wpdhHfs;. mjw;F ,NaR mthpfsplk;> ;cq;fs; fbd cs;sj;jpd; nghUl;Nl mtH ,f;fl;lisia vOjp itj;jhH. gilg;gpd; njhlf;fj;jpNyNa flTs;. ;Mzk; ngz;Zkhf mtHfisg; gilj;jhH. ,jdhy; fztd; jd; jha; je;ijia tpl;Ltpl;Lj; jd; kidtpAld; xd;wpj;jpUg;ghd;. ,UtUk; xNu clyha; ,Ug;gH. ,dp mtHfs; ,UtH my;y: xNu cly;. vdNt flTs; ,izj;jij kdpjH gphpf;fhjpUf;fl;Lk; ; vd;whH. gpd;dH tPl;by; ,ijg; gw;wp kPz;Lk; rPlH mtiuf; Nfl;ldH. ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;jd; kidtpia tpyf;fptpl;L NtnwhU ngz;iz kzg;gtd; vtDk; mtUf;F vjpuhf tpgrhuk; nra;fpwhd;. jd; fztiu tpyf;fptpl;L NtnwhUtiu kzf;Fk; vtSk; tpgrhuk; nra;fpwhs; ; vd;whH. rpW gps;isfis ,NaR njhl Ntz;Lnkd;W mtHfisr; rpyH mthplk; nfhz;Lte;jdH. rPlNuh mtHfis mjl;bdH. ,NaR ,ijf; fz;L> Nfhgk; nfhz;L> ;rpW gps;isfis vd;dplk; tu tpLq;fs;. mtHfisj; jLf;fhjPHfs;. Vnddpy; ,iwahl;rp ,j;jifNahUf;Nf chpaJ. ,iwahl;rpiar; rpW gps;isiag;Nghy; Vw;Wf; nfhs;shNjhH mjw;F cl;glkhl;lhH vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. gpwF mtH mtHfis mutizj;J> jk; iffis mtHfs;kPJ itj;J Mrp toq;fpdhH. ,NaR Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W nfhz;bUe;jNghJ topapy; xUtH mthplk; Xbte;J Koe;jhs;gbapl;L> ;ey;y NghjfNu> epiy tho;it chpikahf;fpf;nfhs;s ehd; vd;d nra;a Ntz;Lk;? ; vd;W mtiuf; Nfl;lhH. mjw;F ,NaR mthplk;> ;ehd; ey;ytd; vd Vd; nrhy;fpwPH? flTs; xUtiuj; jtpu ey;ytH vtUkpy;iyNa. ckf;Ff; fl;lisfs; njhpAk; my;yth? ;nfhiynra;ahNj: tpgrhuk; nra;ahNj: fsT nra;ahNj: ngha;r;rhd;W nrhy;yhNj: tQ;rpj;Jg; gwpf;fhNj: cd; jha; je;ijia kjpj;J el ; vd;whH. mtH ,NaRtplk;> ;NghjfNu> ,it midj;ijAk; ehd; vd; ,sikapypUe;Nj filg;gpbj;J te;Js;Nsd; ; vd;W $wpdhH. mg;NghJ ,NaR md;nghOf mtiuf; $He;J Nehf;fp> ;ckf;F ,d;Dk; xd;W FiwgLfpwJ. ePH Ngha; ckf;F cs;stw;iw tpw;W ViofSf;Ff; nfhLk;. mg;NghJ tpz;zfj;jpy; ePH nry;tuha; ,Ug;gPH. gpd;G te;J vd;idg; gpd;gw;Wk; ; vd;W mthplk; $wpdhH. ,NaR nrhd;dijf; Nfl;lJk; mtH Kfk;thb tUj;jj;NjhL nrd;W tpl;lhH. Vnddpy; mtUf;F Vuhskhd nrhj;J ,Ue;jJ. ,NaR Rw;wpYk; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;Jj; jk; rPlhplk;> ;nry;tH ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtJ kpfTk; fbdk; ; vd;whH. rPlHfs; mtH nrhd;dijf; Nfl;Lj; jpifg;Gf;F cs;shdhHfs;. kPz;Lk; ,NaR mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;gps;isfNs> nry;tHfs; ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtJ kpfTk; fbdk;. mtHfs; ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtijtpl Crpapd; fhjpy; xl;lfk; EiotJ vspJ ; vd;whH. rPlHfs; kpfTk; tpag;gpy; Mo;e;jtHfsha;> ;gpd; ahHjhk; kPl;Gg;ngw KbAk;? ; vd;W jq;fspilNa Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfisf; $He;J Nehf;fp> ;kdpjuhy; ,J ,ayhJ. Mdhy; flTSf;F mg;gbay;y> flTshy; vy;yhk; ,aYk; ; vd;whH. mg;NghJ NgJU mthplk;> ;ghUk;> ehq;fs; vy;yhtw;iwAk; tpl;Ltpl;L ck;ikg; gpd;gw;wpatHfshapw;Nw ; vd;W nrd;dhH. mjw;F ,NaR> ;cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;: vd; nghUl;Lk; ew;nra;jpapd; nghUl;Lk; tPLfisNah> rNfhjuHfisNah> rNfhjhpfisNah> jhiaNah> je;ijiaNah> gps;isfisNah> epyGyd;fisNah tpl;Ltpl;l vtUk; ,k;ikapy; E}W klq;fhf tPLfisAk; rNfhjuHfisAk; rNfhjhpfisAk; jhiaAk; epyGyd;fisAk;> ,tw;NwhL $l ,d;dy;fisAk; kWikapy; epiytho;itAk; ngwhky; NghfhH. Kjd;ikahNdhH gyH filrp MtH: filrpahNdhH Kjd;ik MtH ; vd;whH. mtHfs; vUrNyKf;Fg; NghFk; topapy; nrd;Wnfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfSf;FKd; Ngha;f;nfhz;bUe;jhH. rPlH jpifg;Gw;wpUf;f> mtiug; gpd;gw;wpa VidNahH mr;rk; nfhz;bUe;jdH. mtH kPz;Lk; gd;dpUtiu mioj;Jj; jkf;F epfotpUg;gtw;iwf; Fwpj;Jg; Ngrj; njhlq;fpdhH. mtH> ;,g;nghOJ ehk; vUrNyKf;Fr; nry;fpNwhk;. khdpl kfd; jiyikf; FUf;fsplKk; kiwE}y; mwpQHfsplKk; xg;Gtpf;fg;gLthH: mtHfs; mtUf;F kuz jz;lid tpjpj;J mtiug; gpw ,dj;jthplk; xg;Gtpg;ghHfs;: mtHfs; Vsdk; nra;J> mtH kPJ Jg;gp> rhl;ilahy; mbj;J mtiuf; nfhiy nra;thHfs;. %d;W ehs;fSf;Fg; gpd; mtH capHj;njOthH ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. nrgNjAtpd; kf;fs; ahf;NfhGk; NahthDk; mtiu mZfpr; nrd;W mthplk;> ;NghjfNu> ehq;fs; Nfl;gij ePH vq;fSf;Fr; nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd tpUk;GfpNwhk; ; vd;whHfs;. mtH mtHfsplk;> ;ehd; vd;d nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd;W ePq;fs; tpUk;GfpwPHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; mtiu Nehf;fp> ePH mhpaizapy; ,Uf;Fk; NghJ vq;fSs; xUtH ckJ ,lg;GwKk; mkHe;J nfhs;s vq;fSf;F mUSk; ; vd;W Ntz;bdH. ,NaRNth mtHfsplk;> ;ePq;fs; vd;d Nfl;fpwPHfs; vd cq;fSf;Fj; njhpatpy;iy. ehd; Fbf;Fk; Jd;gf; fpz;zj;jpy; cq;fshy; Fbf;f ,aYkh? ehd; ngWk; jpUKOf;if cqfshy; ngw ,aYkh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; mthplk;> ;,aYk; ; vd;W nrhy;y> ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;ehd; Fbf;Fk; fpz;zj;jpy; ePq;fs; Fbg;gPHfs;. ehd; ngWk; jpUKOf;ifAk; ePq;fs; ngWtPHfs;. Mdhy; vd; tyg;Gwj;jpYk; ,lg;Gwj;jpYk; mkUk;gb mUStJ vdJ nray; my;y: khwhf mt;tplq;fs; ahUf;F Vw;ghL nra;ag;gl;Ls;sNjh mtHfSf;Nf mUsg;gLk; ; vd;W $wpdhH. ,ijf; Nfl;Lf;nfhz;bUe;j gj;Jg; NgUk; ahf;NfhGkPJk; Nahthd;kPJk; Nfhgq;nfhs;sj; njhlq;fpdH. ,NaR mtHfis tutioj;J mtHfsplk;> ;gpw ,dj;jthpilNa jiytHfs; vdf; fUjg;gLfpwtHfs; kf;fis mlf;fp MSfpwhHfs;. mtHfSs; nghpatHfs; mtHfs; kPJ jq;fs; mjpfhuj;ijf; fhl;LfpwhHfs;. Mdhy; cq;fspilNa mg;gb ,Uf;ff; $lhJ. cq;fSs; nghpatuhf ,Uf;f tpUk;GfpwtH cq;fs; njhz;luha; ,Uf;fl;Lk;. cq;fSs; Kjd;ikahdtuhf ,Uf;f tpUk;GfpwtH> midtUf;Fk; gzpahsuhf ,Uf;fl;Lk;. Vnddpy; khdplkfd; njhz;L Vw;gjw;F my;y> khwhfj; njhz;L Mw;Wtjw;Fk; gyUila kPl;Gf;F 11

,NaR mq;fpUe;J Gwg;gl;L a+Njag; gFjpfSf;Fk; NahHjhd; mf;fiug; gFjpf;Fk; te;jhH. kPz;Lk; kf;fs; mthplk; te;J $bdH. mtUk; tof;fk; Nghy kPz;Lk; mtHfSf;Ff; fw;gpj;jhH. ghpNraH mtiu mZfp> ;fztd; jd; kidtpia tpyf;fptpLtJ Kiwah? ; vd;W Nfl;L mtiur; Nrhjpj;jdH. mtH mtHfsplk; kWnkhopahf> ;NkhNr cq;fSf;F ,l;l fl;lis vd;d? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs;> ;NkhNr kztpyf;Fr; rhd;wpjo; vOjp mtiu tpyf;fptplyhk; vd;W mDkjp mspj;Js;shH ; vd;W $wpdhHfs;. mjw;F ,NaR mthpfsplk;> ;cq;fs; fbd cs;sj;jpd; nghUl;Nl mtH ,f;fl;lisia vOjp itj;jhH. gilg;gpd; njhlf;fj;jpNyNa flTs;. ;Mzk; ngz;Zkhf mtHfisg; gilj;jhH. ,jdhy; fztd; jd; jha; je;ijia tpl;Ltpl;Lj; jd; kidtpAld; xd;wpj;jpUg;ghd;. ,UtUk; xNu clyha; ,Ug;gH. ,dp mtHfs; ,UtH my;y: xNu cly;. vdNt flTs; ,izj;jij kdpjH gphpf;fhjpUf;fl;Lk; ; vd;whH. gpd;dH tPl;by; ,ijg; gw;wp kPz;Lk; rPlH mtiuf; Nfl;ldH. ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;jd; kidtpia tpyf;fptpl;L NtnwhU ngz;iz kzg;gtd; vtDk; mtUf;F vjpuhf tpgrhuk; nra;fpwhd;. jd; fztiu tpyf;fptpl;L NtnwhUtiu kzf;Fk; vtSk; tpgrhuk; nra;fpwhs; ; vd;whH. rpW gps;isfis ,NaR njhl Ntz;Lnkd;W mtHfisr; rpyH mthplk; nfhz;Lte;jdH. rPlNuh mtHfis mjl;bdH. ,NaR ,ijf; fz;L> Nfhgk; nfhz;L> ;rpW gps;isfis vd;dplk; tu tpLq;fs;. mtHfisj; jLf;fhjPHfs;. Vnddpy; ,iwahl;rp ,j;jifNahUf;Nf chpaJ. ,iwahl;rpiar; rpW gps;isiag;Nghy; Vw;Wf; nfhs;shNjhH mjw;F cl;glkhl;lhH vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. gpwF mtH mtHfis mutizj;J> jk; iffis mtHfs;kPJ itj;J Mrp toq;fpdhH. ,NaR Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W nfhz;bUe;jNghJ topapy; xUtH mthplk; Xbte;J Koe;jhs;gbapl;L> ;ey;y NghjfNu> epiy tho;it chpikahf;fpf;nfhs;s ehd; vd;d nra;a Ntz;Lk;? ; vd;W mtiuf; Nfl;lhH. mjw;F ,NaR mthplk;> ;ehd; ey;ytd; vd Vd; nrhy;fpwPH? flTs; xUtiuj; jtpu ey;ytH vtUkpy;iyNa. ckf;Ff; fl;lisfs; njhpAk; my;yth? ;nfhiynra;ahNj: tpgrhuk; nra;ahNj: fsT nra;ahNj: ngha;r;rhd;W nrhy;yhNj: tQ;rpj;Jg; gwpf;fhNj: cd; jha; je;ijia kjpj;J el ; vd;whH. mtH ,NaRtplk;> ;NghjfNu> ,it midj;ijAk; ehd; vd; ,sikapypUe;Nj filg;gpbj;J te;Js;Nsd; ; vd;W $wpdhH. mg;NghJ ,NaR md;nghOf mtiuf; $He;J Nehf;fp> ;ckf;F ,d;Dk; xd;W FiwgLfpwJ. ePH Ngha; ckf;F cs;stw;iw tpw;W ViofSf;Ff; nfhLk;. mg;NghJ tpz;zfj;jpy; ePH nry;tuha; ,Ug;gPH. gpd;G te;J vd;idg; gpd;gw;Wk; ; vd;W mthplk; $wpdhH. ,NaR nrhd;dijf; Nfl;lJk; mtH Kfk;thb tUj;jj;NjhL nrd;W tpl;lhH. Vnddpy; mtUf;F Vuhskhd nrhj;J ,Ue;jJ. ,NaR Rw;wpYk; jpUk;gpg; ghHj;Jj; jk; rPlhplk;> ;nry;tH ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtJ kpfTk; fbdk; ; vd;whH. rPlHfs; mtH nrhd;dijf; Nfl;Lj; jpifg;Gf;F cs;shdhHfs;. kPz;Lk; ,NaR mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;gps;isfNs> nry;tHfs; ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtJ kpfTk; fbdk;. mtHfs; ,iwahl;rpf;F cl;gLtijtpl Crpapd; fhjpy; xl;lfk; EiotJ vspJ ; vd;whH. rPlHfs; kpfTk; tpag;gpy; Mo;e;jtHfsha;> ;gpd; ahHjhk; kPl;Gg;ngw KbAk;? ; vd;W jq;fspilNa Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfisf; $He;J Nehf;fp> ;kdpjuhy; ,J ,ayhJ. Mdhy; flTSf;F mg;gbay;y> flTshy; vy;yhk; ,aYk; ; vd;whH. mg;NghJ NgJU mthplk;> ;ghUk;> ehq;fs; vy;yhtw;iwAk; tpl;Ltpl;L ck;ikg; gpd;gw;wpatHfshapw;Nw ; vd;W nrd;dhH. mjw;F ,NaR> ;cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;: vd; nghUl;Lk; ew;nra;jpapd; nghUl;Lk; tPLfisNah> rNfhjuHfisNah> rNfhjhpfisNah> jhiaNah> je;ijiaNah> gps;isfisNah> epyGyd;fisNah tpl;Ltpl;l vtUk; ,k;ikapy; E}W klq;fhf tPLfisAk; rNfhjuHfisAk; rNfhjhpfisAk; jhiaAk; epyGyd;fisAk;> ,tw;NwhL $l ,d;dy;fisAk; kWikapy; epiytho;itAk; ngwhky; NghfhH. Kjd;ikahNdhH gyH filrp MtH: filrpahNdhH Kjd;ik MtH ; vd;whH. mtHfs; vUrNyKf;Fg; NghFk; topapy; nrd;Wnfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfSf;FKd; Ngha;f;nfhz;bUe;jhH. rPlH jpifg;Gw;wpUf;f> mtiug; gpd;gw;wpa VidNahH mr;rk; nfhz;bUe;jdH. mtH kPz;Lk; gd;dpUtiu mioj;Jj; jkf;F epfotpUg;gtw;iwf; Fwpj;Jg; Ngrj; njhlq;fpdhH. mtH> ;,g;nghOJ ehk; vUrNyKf;Fr; nry;fpNwhk;. khdpl kfd; jiyikf; FUf;fsplKk; kiwE}y; mwpQHfsplKk; xg;Gtpf;fg;gLthH: mtHfs; mtUf;F kuz jz;lid tpjpj;J mtiug; gpw ,dj;jthplk; xg;Gtpg;ghHfs;: mtHfs; Vsdk; nra;J> mtH kPJ Jg;gp> rhl;ilahy; mbj;J mtiuf; nfhiy nra;thHfs;. %d;W ehs;fSf;Fg; gpd; mtH capHj;njOthH ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. nrgNjAtpd; kf;fs; ahf;NfhGk; NahthDk; mtiu mZfpr; nrd;W mthplk;> ;NghjfNu> ehq;fs; Nfl;gij ePH vq;fSf;Fr; nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd tpUk;GfpNwhk; ; vd;whHfs;. mtH mtHfsplk;> ;ehd; vd;d nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd;W ePq;fs; tpUk;GfpwPHfs;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; mtiu Nehf;fp> ePH mhpaizapy; ,Uf;Fk; NghJ vq;fSs; xUtH ckJ ,lg;GwKk; mkHe;J nfhs;s vq;fSf;F mUSk; ; vd;W Ntz;bdH. ,NaRNth mtHfsplk;> ;ePq;fs; vd;d Nfl;fpwPHfs; vd cq;fSf;Fj; njhpatpy;iy. ehd; Fbf;Fk; Jd;gf; fpz;zj;jpy; cq;fshy; Fbf;f ,aYkh? ehd; ngWk; jpUKOf;if cqfshy; ngw ,aYkh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; mthplk;> ;,aYk; ; vd;W nrhy;y> ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;ehd; Fbf;Fk; fpz;zj;jpy; ePq;fs; Fbg;gPHfs;. ehd; ngWk; jpUKOf;ifAk; ePq;fs; ngWtPHfs;. Mdhy; vd; tyg;Gwj;jpYk; ,lg;Gwj;jpYk; mkUk;gb mUStJ vdJ nray; my;y: khwhf mt;tplq;fs; ahUf;F Vw;ghL nra;ag;gl;Ls;sNjh mtHfSf;Nf mUsg;gLk; ; vd;W $wpdhH. ,ijf; Nfl;Lf;nfhz;bUe;j gj;Jg; NgUk; ahf;NfhGkPJk; Nahthd;kPJk; Nfhgq;nfhs;sj; njhlq;fpdH. ,NaR mtHfis tutioj;J mtHfsplk;> ;gpw ,dj;jthpilNa jiytHfs; vdf; fUjg;gLfpwtHfs; kf;fis mlf;fp MSfpwhHfs;. mtHfSs; nghpatHfs; mtHfs; kPJ jq;fs; mjpfhuj;ijf; fhl;LfpwhHfs;. Mdhy; cq;fspilNa mg;gb ,Uf;ff; $lhJ. cq;fSs; nghpatuhf ,Uf;f tpUk;GfpwtH cq;fs; njhz;luha; ,Uf;fl;Lk;. cq;fSs; Kjd;ikahdtuhf ,Uf;f tpUk;GfpwtH> midtUf;Fk; gzpahsuhf ,Uf;fl;Lk;. Vnddpy; khdplkfd; njhz;L Vw;gjw;F my;y> khwhfj; njhz;L Mw;Wtjw;Fk; gyUila kPl;Gf;F 12

,NaR mtHfsplk; ctikfs; thapyhfg; Ngrj; njhlq;fpdhH: ;xUtH xU jpuhl;irj; Njhl;lk; Nghl;Lr; Rw;wpYk; Ntypailj;J> gpopTf;Fop ntl;b> xU fhty; khlKk; fl;bdhH. gpwF Njhl;lj; njhopyhsHfsplk; mijf; Fj;jiff;F tpl;Ltpl;L neLk;gazk; Nkw;nfhz;lhH. gUtfhyk; te;jJk; mj;Njhl;lj; njhopyhsHfsplkpUe;J jpuhl;irg; goq;fisg; ngw;W tUkhW xU gzpahsiu mtH mDg;gpdhH. Mdhy; mtHfs; mtiug; gpbj;J ieag;Gilj;J ntWq;ifauha; mDg;gpdhHfs;. kPz;Lk; mtH NtnwhU gzpahsiu mtHfsplk; mDg;g> mtiuAk; mtHfs; jiyapy; mbj;J mtkjpj;jhHfs;. mtH NkYk; xUtiu mDg;g> mtiuAk; nfhiy nra;jhHfs;: mtH NtW gyiuAk; mDg;gpdhH. mtHfSs; rpyiu ieag;Gilj;jhHfs;: rpyiuf; nfhd;whHfs;. ,d;Dk; vQ;rpapUe;jtH xUtNu. mtH mtUila md;G kfd;> jk;kfid mtHfs; kjpg;ghHfs; vd;W mtH epidj;Jf;nfhz;L ,Wjpahf mtiu mtHfsplk; mDg;gpdhH. mg;nghOJ mj;Njhl;lj; njhopyhsHfs;> ;,td;jhd; nrhj;Jf;F chpatd;: thUq;fs; ehk; ,tidf; nfhd;WNghLNthk;. mg;NghJ nrhj;J ekf;F chpajhFk; ; vd;W jq;fspilNa Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;. mt;thNw mtiug; gpbj;Jf; nfhd;W jpuhl;irj; Njhl;lj;jpw;F ntspNa vwpe;Jtpl;lhHfs;. jpuhl;irj; Njhl;l chpikahsH vd;d nra;thH? mtH te;J mj;njhopyhsHfis xopj;Jtpl;Lj; jpuhl;irj; Njhl;lj;ij NtW Ms;fsplk; xg;gilg;ghH. ;fl;LNthH Gwf;fzpj;j fy;Ny fl;llj;Jf;F %iyf;fy; Mapw;W. Mz;ltuhy; epfo;e;Js;s ,J ek; fz;fSf;F tpag;ghapw;W ; vd;Dk; kiwE}y; thf;if ePq;fs; thrpj;jJ ,y;iyah? ; vd;W mtH Nfl;lhH. jq;fisf; Fwpj;Nj mtH ,e;j ctikiar; nrhd;dhH vd;gij mtHfs; czHe;Jnfhz;L mtiug; gpbf;f topNjbdhHfs;: Mdhy; kf;fs; $l;lj;Jf;F mQ;rpdhHfs;: MfNt mtiu tpl;L mfd;whHfs;. ghpNraH ,NaRit mtUila Ngr;rpy; rpf;fitf;f VNuhjpaH rpyiu mthplk; mDg;gp itj;jdH. mtHfs; mthplk; te;J> ;NghjfNu> ePH cz;ikAs;stH: Ms; ghHj;Jr; nray;glhjtH: vtiuAk; nghUl;gLj;jhky; flTspd; newpia cz;ikf;F Vw;gf; fw;gpg;gtH vd;gJ vq;fSf;Fj; njhpAk;. rPrUf;F thpnrYj;JtJ Kiwah> ,y;iyah? ehq;fs; nrYj;Jth> Ntz;lhkh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhHfs;. mtH mtHfSila ntspNtlj;ijg; Ghpe;J nfhz;L> ;Vd; vd;idr; Nrhjpf;fpwPHfs;? vd;dplk; xU njdhhpak; nfhz;LthUq;fs;. ehd; ghHf;f Ntz;Lk; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; mijf; nfhz;L te;jhHfs;. ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;,jpy; nghwpf;fg;gl;Ls;s cUtKk; vOj;Jk; ahUilait? ; vd;W Nfl;lhH. mtHfs; mthplk;> ;rPrUilait ; vd;whHfs;. mjw;F ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;rPrUf;F chpatw;iwr; rPrUf;Fk; flTSf;F chpatw;iwf; flTSf;Fk; nfhLq;fs; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; mtiuf; Fwpj;J tpag;gile;jhHfs;. capHj;njOjy; ,y;iy vd;Dk; fUj;Jila rJNraH ,NaRit mZfp> ;NghjfNu> xUtH kfg; Ngwpd;wpj; jk; kidtpia tpl;Ltpl;L ,we;JNghdhy;> mtiuf; nfhOe;jNd kidtpahf Vw;Wf;nfhz;L rNfhjuUf;F topkuG cUthf;fNtz;Lk; vd;W NkhNr ekf;F vOjp itj;Js;shH. rNfhjuH vOtH ,Ue;jdH. %j;jtH xU ngz;iz kze;J kfg;Ngwpd;wp ,we;jhH. ,uz;lhktH mtiu kze;J mtUk; kfg;Ngwpd;wp ,we;jjhH. %d;whktUf;Fk; mt;thNw epfo;e;jJ. VO NgUf;Fk; kfg;NgW ,y;yhkw;Nghapw;W. midtUf;Fk; filrpahf mg;ngz;Zk; ,we;jhH. mtHfs; capHj;njOk; NghJ> mtH mtHfSs; ahUf;F kidtpahf ,Ug;ghH? Vnddpy; vOtUk; mtiu kidtpahff; nfhz;bUe;jdNu! ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;cq;fSf;F kiwE}Yk; njhpahJ> flTspd; ty;yikAk; njhpahJ. ,jdhy;jhd; jtwhd fUj;ijf; nfhz;bUf;fpwPHfs;. ,we;J capHj;njOk;NghJ ahUk; jpUkzk; nra;J nfhs;tjpy;iy. khwhf mtHfs; tpz;zfj; J}jiug;Nghy; ,Ug;ghHfs;. ,we;NjhH capUld; vOg;gg;gLtijg; gw;wp NkhNrapd; E}ypy; Kl;GjH gw;wpa epfo;r;rpapy; ,t;thW thrpj;jjpy;iyah? ;Mgpufhkpd; flTs; 13

,NaR Nfhtpiytpl;L ntspNa te;jNghJ mtUila rPlUs; xUtH> ;NghjfNu> vj;jifa fw;fs;! vj;jifa fl;lq;fs;! ghUk; ; vd;W mthplk; nrhy;y> ,NaR mtiu Nehf;fp> ;,e;j khngUk; fl;llq;fisg; ghHf;fpwPH my;yth! ,q;Ff; fw;fs; xd;wpd;Nky; xd;W ,uhjgb vy;yhk; ,bf;fg;gLk; ; vd;whH. ,NaR NfhtpYf;F vjpuhf cs;s xypt kiykPJ mkHe;jpUe;j NghJ NgJU> ahf;NfhG> Nahthd;> me;jpNuah MfpNahH mthplk; jdpahf te;J> ;ePH $wpait vg;NghJ epfOk;? ,itaidj;Jk; epiwNtwg;NghFk; fhyj;jpw;fhd mwpFwp vd;d? vq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;Yk; ; vd;W Nfl;ldH. mjw;F ,NaR mtHfsplk; $wpaJ: ;cq;fis ahUk; newpjtwr; nra;ahjthW ghHj;Jf; nfhs;Sq;fs;. Vnddpy; gyH vd; ngaiu itj;Jf;nfhz;L te;J> ;ehNd mtH ; vd;W nrhy;ypg; gyiu newpjtwr; nra;tH. NghH Kof;fq;fisAk; NghHfisg;gw;wpa nra;jpfisAk; Nfl;Fk; nghOJ ePq;fs; jpLf;fplhjPHfs;. ,it epfoj;jhd; Ntz;Lk;. Mdhy; ,itNa Kbthfh. ehl;il vjpHj;J ehLk; muir vjpHj;J muRk; vOk;: gy ,lq;fspy; epy eLf;fq;fs; Vw;gLk;: gQ;rKk; cz;lhFk;. ,it nfhLk; Ntjidfspd; njhlf;fNk. ;ePq;fs; ftdkhapUq;fs;: cq;fis a+jr; rq;fq;fsplk; xg;Gtpg;ghHfs;: njhOiff;$lq;fspy; cq;fis ieag;Gilg;ghHfs;: vd; nghUl;L MSeH Kd;Dk; murH Kd;Dk; epWj;jg;gl;L mtHfs; Kd; mtHfs; Kd; vdf;Fr; rhd;W gfHtPHfs;. Mdhy; vy;yh kf;fspdj;jtHf;Fk; Kjypy; ew;nra;jp mwptpf;fg;gl Ntz;Lk;. mtHfs; cq;fisf; ifJnra;J nfhz;L nry;Yk;NghJ vd;d NgRtJ vd ePq;fs; Kd;djhfNt ftiyg;gl Ntz;lhk;: me;j Neuj;jpy; cq;fSf;F mUsg;gLtijNa NgRq;fs;. Vnddpy; NgRNthH ePq;fs; my;y. khwhf> J}a MtpahNu. NkYk; rNfhjuH rNfhjhpfs; jk; cld; rNfhjuH rNfhjhpfisAk; je;ij gpw;iwiaAk; nfhy;tjw;F vd xg;Gtpg;gH: gps;isfs; ngw;NwhHf;F vjpuhf vOk;gp mtHfisf; nfhy;thHfs;. vdJ ngahpd; nghUl;L vy;yhUk; cq;fis ntWg;gH. Mdhy; ,Wjptiu kd cWjpAld; ,Ug;gtNu kPl;Gg; ngWtH. ;eLq;f itf;Fk; jPl;L ; epw;ff;$lhj ,lj;jpy; epw;gij ePq;fs; fhz;gPHfs;. gbg;gtH ,ijg; Ghpe;J nfhs;sl;Lk;. mg;NghJ a+Njahtpy; cs;stHfs; kiyfSf;Fj; jg;gp Xll;Lk;. tPl;bd; Nky;jsj;jpy; ,Ug;gtH fPNo ,wq;f Ntz;lhk;: jk; tPl;bdpd;W vijAk; vLf;f mjpy; EioaTk; Ntz;lhk;. taypy; ,Ug;gtH jk; NkYilia vLf;fj; jpUk;gp tu Ntz;lhk;. me;ehs;fspy; fUTw;wpUg;NghH> ghY}l;LNthH MfpNahH epiyik me;Njh ghpjhgk;! ,it FspHfhyj;jpy; epfohjgb ,iwtdplk; Ntz;Lq;fs;. Vnddpy; ,it Jd;gk;jUk; ehs;fsha; ,Uf;Fk;. flTs; gilf;fj; njhlq;fpa fhyj;jpypUe;J ,e;ehs;tiu ,j;jifa Ntjid cz;lhdjpy;iy: ,dpNkYk; cz;lhfg; Nghtjpy;iy. Mz;ltH me;ehs;fisf; Fiwf;fhtpby; vtUk; jg;gpg; gpiof;f KbahJ. Mdhy; jhk; NjHe;J nfhz;ltHfspd; nghUl;L mtH me;ehs;fisf; Fiwj;jpUf;fpwhH. ;mg;nghOJ ahuhtJ cq;fsplk;> ;,Njh> nkrpah ,q;Nf ,Uf;fpwhH: mNjh> mq;Nf ,Uf;fpwhH ; vdr; nrhd;dhy; ePq;fs; ek;g Ntz;lhk;. Vnddpy; Nghyp nkrpahf;fSk; Nghyp ,iwthf;fpdHfSk; Njhd;wp> KbAkhdhy; NjHe;J nfhs;sg;gl;ltHfisNa newpjtwr; nra;a milahsq;fisAk; mUQ;nray;fisAk; nra;J fhl;LtH. ePq;fNsh ftdkhapUq;fs;. midj;ijAk; Kd;djhfNt cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;yptpl;Nld;. ;me;ehs;fspy; mt;NtjidfSf;Fg; gpwF fjputd; ,Uz;LtpLk;: epyh xspnfhlhJ. tpz;kPd;fs; thdj;jpypUe;J tpOe;j tz;zkpUf;Fk;: thd;ntspf; Nfhs;fs; mjpUk;. mg;NghJ kpFe;j ty;yikNahLk; khl;rpNahLk; khdplkfd; Nkfq;fs; kPJ tUtijf; fhz;ghHfs;. gpd;G mtH thdJ}jiu mDg;gp> mtHfs; kz;Zyfpy; xU NfhbapypUe;J tpz;Zyfpy; kWNfhbtiu ehd;F jpirfspypUe;Jk; NjHe;Jnfhs;sg;gl;ltHfisf; $l;br; NrHg;ghH. ;mj;jp kuj;jpypUe;J XH cz;ikiaf; fw;Wf; nfhs;Sq;fs;. mjd; fpisfs; jspHj;J ,iyfs; Njhd;Wk;NghJ Nfhilf;fhyk; neUq;fp te;Jtpl;lJ vd ePq;fs; mwpe;Jnfhs;fpwPHfs;. mt;thNw ,it epfo;tijf; fhZk;NghJ khdplkfd; fjit neUq;fp te;Jtpl;lhH vd;gij ePq;fs; mwpe;J nfhs;Sq;fs;. ,itaidj;Jk; epfOk;tiu ,j;jiyKiw xope;J NghfhJ vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd;. tpz;Zk; kz;Zk; xope;JNghFk;: Mdhy; vd; thHj;ijfs; xopaNtkhl;lh. ;Mdhy; me;j ehisAk; NtisiaAk; gw;wpj; je;ijf;Fj; jtpu NtW vtUf;Fk; njhpahJ: tpz;zfj;jpYs;s J}jUf;Nfh kfDf;Nfh $lj; njhpahJ. ftdkhapUq;fs;> tpopg;ghapUq;fs;. Vnddpy; me;Neuk; vg;NghJ tUk; vd cq;fSf;Fj; njhpahJ. neLk;gazk; nry;ytpUf;Fk; xUtH jk; tPl;iltpl;L ntspNaWk;NghJ jk; gzpahsH xt;nthUtiuAk; mtutH gzpf;Fg; nghWg;ghsuhf;fp> tpopg;ghapUf;Fk;gb thapy; fhtyUf;Ff; fl;lisapLthH. mJNghyNt ePq;fSk; tpopg;ghapUq;fs;. Vnddpy; tPl;Lj; jiytH khiyapNyh> es;sputpNyh> Nrty; $Tk; NtisapNyh> fhiyapNyh vg;NghJ tUthH vd cq;fSf;Fj; njhpahJ. mtH jpBnud;W te;J ePq;fs; J}q;Ftijf; fhzf;$lhJ. ehd; cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;Ytij vy;yhUf;FNk nrhy;fpNwd;: tpopg;ghapUq;fs;. ;

14

gh];fh vd;Dk; Gspg;gw;w mg;g tpoh epfo ,d;Dk; ,uz;L ehs;fs; ,Ue;jd. jiyikf; FUf;fSk; kiwE}y; mwpQUk; ,NaRit vt;thW #o;r;rpaha;g; gpbj;Jf; nfhiy nra;ayhk; vd;W topNjbf; nfhz;bUe;jdH: MapDk;> ;tpohtpd;NghJ Ntz;lhk;: xU Ntis kf;fspilNa fyfk; Vw;glf;$Lk; ; vd;W epidj;jdH. ,NaR> ngj;jhdpahtpy; njhO NehahsH rPNkhd; ,y;yj;jpy; ,Ue;jhH. mq;Nf ge;jpapy; mkHe;jpUe;jNghJ ,yhkpr;ir eWkzj; ijyk; nfhz;l gbfr; rpkpOld; ngz; xUtH te;jhH. me;jj; ijyk; fyg;gw;wJ> tpiyAaHe;jJ. mtH mg;gbfr; rpkpio cilj;J ,NaRtpd; jiyapy; Cw;wpdhH. Mdhy; mq;fpUe;j rpyH Nfhgkile;J> ;,e;jj; ijyj;ij ,t;thW tPzhf;FtNjd;? ,ij Ke;E}W njdhhpaj;Jf;Fk; Nkyhf tpw;W ViofSf;Ff; nfhLj;jpUf;fyhNk> ; vd;W jq;fSf;Fs; Ngrpf;nfhz;ldH. mg;ngz; kPJk; rPwp vOe;jdH. ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;mtiu tpLq;fs;. Vd; mtUf;Fj; njhy;iy nfhLf;fpwPHfs;? mtH vdf;Fr; nra;jJ Kiwahd nraNy. Vnddpy; Viofs; vg;NghJNk cq;fNshL ,Uf;fpd;whHfs;. ePq;fs; tpUk;Gk;Nghnjy;yhk; mtHfSf;F ed;ik nra;aKbAk;. Mdhy; ehd; vg;NghJk; cq;fNshL ,Uf;fg;Nghtjpy;iy. ,tH jk;khy; ,ad;wijr; nra;jhH. vd; mlf;fj;jpw;fhf ,tH Kd;djhfNt vd; clYf;Fj; ijyk; g+rptpl;lhH. cyfk; KOtJk; vq;nfy;yhk; ew;nra;jp mwptpf;fg;gLNkh mq;nfy;yhk; ,tH nra;jJk; vLj;Jf; $wg;gLk;: ,tUk; epidT $wg;gLthH vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;W $wpdhH. gd;dpUtUs; xUtdhfpa a+jhR ,];fhhpNahj;J ,NaRitf; fhl;bf;nfhLf;Fk; Nehf;fj;NjhL jiyikf; FUf;fsplk; nrd;whd;. mtHfs; mij mwpe;J kfpo;r;rpAw;W mtDf;Fg; gzk; nfhLg;gjhf thf;fspj;jdH. mtDk; mtiu vg;gbf; fhl;bf;nfhLf;fyhk; vd;W tha;g;Gj; Njbf;nfhz;bUe;jhd;. Gspg;gw;w mg;g tpohtpd; Kjy; ehs; te;jJ. gh];fh Ml;Lf;Fl;biag; gypapLk; me;ehspNy ,NaRtpd; rPlH> ;ePH gh];fh tpUe;Jz;z ehq;fs; vq;Nf nrd;W Vw;ghL nra;a Ntz;Lk; vd tpUk;GfpwPH? ; vd;W Nfl;lhHfs;. mtH gpd;tUkhW $wp> jk; rPlUs; ,Utiu mDg;gpdhH: ;ePq;fs; Gwg;gl;L efUf;Fs; nry;Yq;fs;. kz;Flj;jpy; jz;zPH Rke;Jnfhz;L XH Ms; cq;fSf;F vjpNu tUthH. mtH gpd;Nd nry;Yq;fs;. mtH ve;j tPl;Lf;Fr; nry;fpwhNuh> me;j tPl;bd; chpikahshplk;> ;ehd; vd; rPlHfNshL gh];fh tpUe;J cz;gjw;fhd vd; miw vq;Nf? ; vd;W NghjfH Nfl;fr; nrhd;dhH ; vdf; $Wq;fs;. mtH Nky;khbapy; xU nghpa miwiaf; fhl;LthH. mJ Njitahd trjpfNshL jahH epiyapy; ,Uf;Fk;. mq;Nf ekf;F Vw;ghL nra;Aq;fs;. ; rPlHfs; nrd;W> efiu mile;J> jq;fSf;F mtH nrhy;ypathNw midj;ijAk; fz;L gh];fh tpUe;Jf;F Vw;ghL nra;jhHfs;. khiy NtisahdJk; ,NaR gd;dpUtNuhL te;jhH. mtHfs; ge;jpapy; mkHe;J cz;L nfhz;bUe;jnghOJ ,NaR> ;vd;NdhL cz;Zk; cq;fSs; xUtd; vd;idf; fhl;bf;nfhLg;ghd; vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; tUj;jKw;W> xUtH gpd; xUtuhf> ;ehNdh?ehNdh? ; vd;W mthplk; Nfl;fj; njhlq;fpdhHfs;. mjw;F mtH> ; mtd; gd;dpUtUs; xUtd;: vd;Dld; ghj;jpuj;jpy; njhl;L cz;gtd;. khdplkfd; jk;ikg; gw;wp kiwE}ypy; vOjpAw;wthNw NghfpwhH. Mdhy; INah! mtiuf; fhl;bf; nfhLf;fpwtDf;Ff; NfL! mk;kdpjd; gpwthjpUe;jhy; mtDf;F eykha; ,Ue;jpUf;Fk; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; cz;Lnfhz;bUe;jnghOJ mtH mg;gj;ij vLj;J> flTisg; Nghw;wp mijg; gpl;L> mtHfSf;Ff; nfhLj;J> ;,ijg; ngw;Wf;nfhs;Sq;fs;: ,J vdJ cly; ; vd;whH. gpd;G mtH fpz;zj;ij vLj;Jf; flTSf;F ed;wp nrYj;jp mtHfSf;Ff; nfhLj;jhH. midtUk; mjpypUe;J gUfpdH. mg;nghOJ mtH mtHfsplk;> ;,J vdJ cld;gbf;ifapd; ,uj;jk;: gyUf;fhfr; rpe;jg;gLk; ,uj;jk;. ,dpNky; ,iwahl;rp tUk; me;ehspy;jhd; ehd; jpuhl;irg;go ,urj;ijf; Fbg;Ngd;: mJtiu xUNghJk; Fbf;f khl;Nld; vd cWjpahf cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; Gfo;g;ghly; ghbtpl;L xyptkiyf;Fr; nrd;whHfs;. ,NaR mtHfsplk;> ;ePq;fs; midtUk; Xbg;NghtPHfs;. Vnddpy;> ;Maiu ntl;LNtd;: mg;NghJ MLfs; rpjwbf;fg;gLk; ; vd;W kiwE}ypy; vOjpAs;sJ. Mdhy; ehd; capUld; vOg;gg;gl;l gpd;G cq;fSf;FKd;Ng fypNyahTf;Fg; NghNtd; ; vd;whH. NgJU mthplk;> ;vy;yhUk; Xbg;Ngha;tpl;lhYk; ehd; mt;thW nra;akhl;Nld; ; vd;whH. ,NaR mthplk;> ;,d;wputpy; Nrty; ,UKiw $TKd; Kk;Kiw eP vd;id kWjypg;gha; vd cdf;Fr; nrhy;fpNwd; ; vd;whH. mtNuh> ;ehd; ck;NkhL NrHe;J ,wf;f Ntz;bapUe;jhYk; ck;ik xUNghJk; kWjypf;f khl;Nld; ; vd;W kpf mOj;jkhfr; nrhd;dhH. mg;gbNa mtHfs; midtUk; nrhd;dhHfs;. gpd;dH ,NaRTk; rPlHfSk; nfj;rkdp vd;Dk; ngaH nfhz;l XH ,lj;jpw;F te;jhHfs;. mq;Nf mtH jk; rPlhplk;> ;ehd; ,iwtdplk; Ntz;Lk;tiu ePq;fs; ,q;Nf mkHe;jpUq;fs; ; vd;W $wp> NgJU> ahf;NfhG> Nahthd; MfpNahiuj; jk;Kld; $l;br; nrd;whH. mg;NghJ mtH jpfpYk; kdf;fyf;fKk; milaj; njhlq;fpdhH. mtH> ;vdJ cs;sk; rhTtUksTf;F Mo;Jauk; nfhz;Ls;sJ: ePq;fs; ,q;NfNa jq;fp tpopj;jpUq;fs; ; vd;W mtHfsplk; $wpdhH. rw;W mg;ghy; nrd;W jiuapy; tpOe;J> KbAkhdhy; me;j Neuk;l jk;iktpl;L tpyFkhW ,iwtdplk; Ntz;bdhH. ;mg;gh> je;ijNa vy;yhk; ck;khy; ,aYk;. ,j;Jd;gf; fpz;zj;ij vd;dplkpUe;J mfw;Wk;. MdhYk; vd; tpUg;gg;gb my;y: ck; tpUg;gg;gbNa epfol;Lk; ; vd;W $wpdhH. mjd;gpd;G mtH te;J mtHfs; cwq;fpf; nfhz;bUg;gijf; fz;L NgJUtplk;> ;rPNkhNd> cwq;fpf; nfhz;lh ,Uf;fpwha;? xU kzpNeuk; tpopj;jpUf;f cdf;F tYtpy;iyah? cq;fs; kdk; Mh;tk; cilaJjhd;: Mdhy; cly; tYtw;wJ. vdNt Nrhjidf;F cl;glhjpUf;f tpopj;jpUe;J ,iwtdplk; Ntz;Lq;fs; ; vd;whH. mtH kPz;Lk; nrd;W mNj thHj;ijfisr; nrhy;yp ,iwtdplk; Ntz;bdhH. mtH jpUk;gTk; te;jNghJ mtHfs; cwq;fpf; nfhz;bUg;gijf; fz;lhH. mtHfSila fz;fs; J}f;ff; fyf;fkha; ,Ue;jd. mtUf;F vd;d kWnkhop $WtJ vd;Nw mtHfSf;Fj; njhpatpy;iy. mtH %d;whk; Kiw te;J mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;,d;Dk; cwq;fp Xa;ntLf;fpwPHfsh? NghJk;> Neuk; te;Jtpl;lJ. khdplkfd; ghtpfspd; ifapy; xg;Gtpf;fg;glg; NghfpwhH. vOe;jpUq;fs;> NghNthk;. ,Njh> vd;idf; fhl;bf; nfhLg;gtd; neUq;fp te;Jtpl;lhd; ; vd;W $wpdhH. ,NaR njhlHe;J Ngrpf; nfhz;bUe;jNghJ gd;dpUtUs; xUtdhd a+jhR te;jhd;. mtNdhL jiyikf; FUf;fs;> kiwE}y; mwpQH> %g;gH MfpNahH mDg;gpa kf;fs; $l;lk; ths;fNshLk;> jbfNshLk; te;jJ. mtiuf; fhl;bf;nfhLf;ftpUe;jtd;> ;ehd; xUtiu Kj;jkpLNtd;. mtHjhk; ,NaR> mtiug; gpbj;Jf; fhtNyhL nfhz;L Nghq;fs; ; vd;W mtHfSf;F milahsk; nrhy;ypapUe;jhd;. mtd; te;jJk; cldbahf ntiu mZfp> ;ugp ; vdf; $wpf;nfhz;Nl mtiu Kj;jkpl;lhd;. mtHfSk; mtiug; gw;wpg; gpbj;Jf; ifJ nra;jdH. mUfpy; epd;W nfhz;bUe;jtHfSs; xUtH jk; this cUtp> jiyikf; FUtpd; gzpahsiuj; jhf;fp mtUila fhijj; Jz;bj;jhH. ,NaR mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;fs;tidg; gpbf;f tUtJ Nghy ths;fNshLk; jbfNshLk; vd;idf; ifJ nra;a te;jJ Vd;? ehd; ehs;NjhWk; Nfhtpypy; fw;gpj;Jf; nfhz;L cq;fNshL ,Ue;Njd;. ePq;fs; vd;idg; gpbf;ftpy;iyNa! Mdhy; kiwE}ypy; vOjg;gl;Ls;sit epiwNtw Ntz;Lk; ; vd;whH. mg;nghOJ rPlH midtUk; mtiu tpl;Ltpl;Lj; jg;gp XbdH. ,isQH xUtH jk; ntWk; clk;gpd; kPJ xU ehHg;gl;Lj; Jzpiag; NghHj;jpf; nfhz;L mtH gpd;Nd nrd;whH: mtiug; gpbj;jhHfs;. Mdhy; mtH Jzpia tpl;L tpl;L Milad;wpj; jg;gp XbdhH. mtHfs; ,NaRitj; jiyikf; FUtplk; $l;br; nrd;whHfs;. vy;yhj; jiyikf; FUf;fSk; %g;gHfSk; kiwE}y; mwpQHfSk; xd;W $bdhHfs;. NgJU njhiyapy; mtiug; gpd;njhlHe;jhH. jiyikf; Futpd; tPl;L cs;Kw;wk; tiu te;J fhtyNuhL cl;fhHe;J neUg;gpd; mUNf mtH FspHfha;e;J nfhz;bUe;jhH. jiyikf; FUf;fSk; jiyikr; rq;fj;jhH midtUk; ,NaRTf;F kuz jz;lid tpjpf;f mtUf;F vjpuhfr; rhd;W NjbdhHfs;. Mdhy; xd;Wk; fpilf;ftpy;iy. gyH mtUf;F vjpuhfg; ngha;r;rhd;W nrhd;dhHfs;. Mdhy; mr;rhd;Wfs; xd;Wf;nfhd;W Kuz;gl;bUe;jd. rpyH vOe;J> ;kdpj ifahy; fl;lg;gl;l ,e;jj; jpUf;Nfhtpiy ,bj;J tpl;Lf; ifahy; fl;lg;glhj Ntnwhd;iw %d;W ehspy; ehd; fl;b vOg;GNtd; vd;W ,td; nrhy;yf; Nfl;Nlhk; ; vd;W mtUf;F vjpuhfg; ngha;r; rhd;W $wpdH. mg;gbAk; mtHfSila rhd;W xj;Jtutpy;iy. mg;nghOJ jiyikf; FU vOe;J mtHfspd; eLNt epd;W> ;,tHfs; cdf;F vjpuhff; $Wk; rhd;Wf;F kWnkhop xd;Wk; $w khl;lhah? ; vd;W ,NaRitf; Nfl;lhH. Mdhy; mtH NgrhjpUe;jhH. kWnkhop xd;Wk; mtH $wtpy;iy. kPz;Lk; jiyikf; FU> ;Nghw;Wjw;Fhpa flTspd; kfdhfpa nkrpah ePjhNdh? ; vd;W mtiuf; Nfl;lhH. mjw;F ,NaR> ;ehNd mtH: NkYk; khdplkfd; ty;ytuhk; flTspd; tyg;Gwj;jpy; tPw;wpUg;gijAk; thdNkfq;fs; #o tUtijAk; fhz;gPHfs; ;vd;whH. jiyikf; FUNth jk; mq;fpiaf; fpopj;Jf;nfhz;L> ;,d;Dk; ekf;Fr; rhd;Wfs; Njitah? ,td; flTisg; gopj;Jiuj;jijf; Nfl;BHfNs: cq;fSf;F vd;d Njhd;WfpwJ? ; vd;W Nfl;f> mtHfs; midtUk;> ;,td; rhf Ntz;batd; ; vd;W jPHkhdpj;jhHfs;. gpd;G rpyH mtHNky; Jg;gTk;> mtH Kfj;ij %b mtiuf; ifahy; Fj;jp> ;,iwthf;fpdNd> ahH vdr; nrhy; ; vd;W Nfl;fTk; njhlq;fpdH. fhtyUk; mtiuf; fd;dj;jpy; miwe;jdH. mg;nghOJ NgJU fPNo Kw;wj;jpy; ,Uf;f> jiyikf; FUtpd; gzpg; ngz; xUtH te;J> NgJU FspHfha;e;J nfhz;bUf;ff; fz;L mtiuf; $He;J Nehf;fp> ;ePAk; ,e;j ehrNuj;J ,NaRNthL ,Ue;jtd;jhNd ; vd;whH. mtNuh> ;ePH nrhy;tJ vd;dntd;W vdf;Fj; njhpatpy;iy> GhpaTkpy;iy ; vd;W kWjypj;J> ntsp Kw;wj;jpw;Fr; nrd;whH. (mg;nghOJ Nrty; $tpw;W ). me;jg; gzpg;ngz; mtiuf; fz;L #o ,Ue;jtHfsplk;> ;,tDk; mtHfisr; NrHe;jtd;jhd; ; vd;W kPz;Lk; $wj; njhlq;fpdhH. mtH kPz;Lk; kWjypj;jhH. rw;W Neuj;jpw;Fg;gpd; #o ,Ue;jtHfSk;> ;cz;ikahfNt eP mtHfisr; NrHe;jtNd. Vnddpy; eP xU fypNyad; ; vd;W kPz;Lk; NgJUtplk; $wpdhHfs;. mtNuh> ;ePq;fs; Fwpg;gpLfpd;w ,e;j kdpjid vdf;Fj; njhpahJ ; vd;W nrhy;ypr; rgpf;fTk; MizaplTk; njhlq;fpdhH. clNd ,uz;lhk; Kiw Nrty; $tpw;W. mg;nghOJ> ;Nrty; ,UKiw $TKd; eP vd;id Kk;Kiw kWjypg;gha; ; vd;W ,NaR jkf;Ff; $wpa nrhw;fisg; NgJU epidT $He;J kdk; cile;J mOjhH.

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nghOJ tpbe;jJk; %g;gNuhLk; kiwE}y; mwpQNuhLk; jiyikr; rq;fj;jhH midtNuhLk; jiyikf; FUf;fs; Mnyhrid nra;J> ,NaRitf; fl;b ,Oj;Jr; nrd;W gpyhj;jplk; xg;Gtpj;jdH. gpyhj;J mtiu Nehf;fp> ;eP a+jhpd; murdh? ; vd;W Nfl;f mtH> ;mt;thW ePH nrhy;fpwPH ; vd;W gjpy; $wpdhH. jiyikf; FUf;fs; mtHkPJ gy Fw;wq;fisr; Rkj;jpdhHfs;. kPz;Lk; gpyhj;J> ;eP gjpy; xd;Wk; nrhy;y khl;lhah? cd; kPJ ,j;jid Fw;wq;fisr; Rkj;JfpwhHfNs! ; vd;W mthplk; Nfl;lhd;. ,NaRNth vg;gjpYk; $wtpy;iy. MfNt gpyhj;J tpag;Gw;whd;. tpohtpd;NghJ kf;fs; Nfl;Lf; nfhs;Sk; xU ifjpia mtHfSf;fhfg; gpyhj;J tpLjiy nra;tJz;L. gugh vd;Dk; ifjp xUtd; ,Ue;jhd;. xU fyfj;jpy; nfhiy nra;j fyff;fhuNuhL gpbgl;ltd; mtd;. kf;fs; $l;lk; te;J> tof;fkha;r; nra;tJNghy xU ifjpia tpLjiy nra;AkhW gpyhj;Jit Ntz;lj; njhlq;fpaJ. mjw;Fg; gpyhj;J> ;a+jhpd; muriu cq;fSf;fhf ehd; tpLjiy nra;a Ntz;Lnkd;W tpUk;GfpwPHfsh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhd;. Vnddpy; jiyikf; FUf;fs; nghwhikahy;jhd; mtiu xg;Gtpj;jpUe;jhHfs; vd;W mtd; czHe;jpUe;jhd;. Mdhy; jiyikf; FUf;fs; jq;fSf;Fg; gughitNa mtd; tpLjiy nra;a Ntz;Lnkdf; Nfl;FkhW $l;lj;jpdiuj; J}z;btpl;lhHfs;. gpyhj;J kPz;Lk; mtHfisg; ghHj;J> ;mg;gbahdhy; ePq;fs; a+jhpd; murH vd;W Fwpg;gpLk; ,tid ehd; vd;d nra;a Ntz;Lk;? ; vd;W Nfl;lhd;. mtHfs;> ;mtidr; rpYitapy; miwAk; ; vd;W kPz;Lk; fj;jpdhHfs;. mjw;Fg; gpyhj;J> ;,td; nra;j Fw;wk; vd;d? ; vd;W Nfl;f> mtHfs;> ;mtidr; rpYitapy; miwAk; ; vd;W ,d;Dk; cuf;ff; fj;jpdhHfs;. MfNt gpyhj;J $l;lj;jpdhpd; tpUg;gj;ij epiwNtw;Wk; tz;zk; gughit tpLjiy nra;J> ,NaRitf; firahy; mbj;J> rpYitapy; miwAkhW xg;Gtpj;jhd;. gpwF giltPuH mtiu MSeH khspifapd; Kw;wj;jpw;F ,Oj;Jf;nfhz;L Ngha;g; gilg;gphptpdH midtiuAk; $l;bdH: mtUf;Fr; nre;epw Milia cLj;jpdH: xU Ks; Kb gpd;dp mtUf;Fr; #l;b> ;a+jhpd; muNr tho;f! ; vd;W mtiu tho;j;jj; njhlq;fpdH: NkYk; Nfhyhy; mtH jiyapy; mbj;J. mtHkPJ Jg;gp> Koe;jhs;gbapl;L mtiu tzq;fpdH. mtiu Vsdk; nra;j gpd; nre;epw Miliaf; fow;wp tpl;L mtUila Milfis mzptpj;J mtiur; rpYitapy; miwtjw;fhf ntspNa $l;br; nrd;wdH. mg;nghOJ myf;rhe;jH> &G MfpNahhpd; je;ijahd rpNud; Ciur; NrHe;j rPNkhd; vd;gtH tay;ntspapypUe;J te;J nfhz;bUe;jhH. giltPuHfs; ,NaRtpd; rpYitiar; Rkf;Fk;gb mtiuf; fl;lhag;gLj;jpdhHfs;. mtHfs; ;kz;ilXl;L ,lk; ; vdg;nghUs;gLk; ;nfhy;nfhjh ; Tf;F ,NaRitf; nfhz;L nrd;whHfs;: mq;Nf mtUf;F nts;isg; Nghsk; fye;j jpuhl;ir ,urj;ijf; Fbf;ff; nfhLj;jhHfs;. Mdhy; mtH mijg; ngw;Wf;nfhs;stpy;iy. gpwF mtHfs; mtiur; rpYitapy; miwe;jhHfs;: Fyf;fy; Kiwapy; ahUf;F vJ vd;W ghHj;J mtUila Milfisj; jq;fSf;Fs; gq;fpl;Lf; nfhz;lhHfs;. mtiur; rpYitapy; miwe;jNghJ fhiy xd;gJ kzp. mtuJ kuz jz;lidf;fhd fhuzj;ij mwptpf;f ;a+jhpd; murd; ; vd;W mtHfs; vOjpitj;jhHfs;: mtUila tyg;Gwk; xUtDk; ,lg;Gwk; xUtDkhf> ,U fs;tHfis mtUld; rpYitfspy; miwe;jhHfs;. mt;topNa nrd;wtHfs; jq;fs; jiyfis mirj;J> ;Mfh> jpUf;Nfhtpiy ,bj;J %d;W ehspy; fl;b vOg;GfpwtNd> rpYitapypUe;J ,wq;fp cd;idNa tpLtpj;Jf;nfhs; ; vd;W mtiug; gopj;Jiuj;jhHfs;. mt;thNw jiyikf; FUf;fs; kiwE}y; mwpQHfSld; NrHe;J mtiu Vsdk; nra;J> ;gpwiu tpLtpj;jhd;> jd;idNa tpLtpf;f Kbatpy;iy ; vd;W jq;fspilNa Ngrpf;nfhz;lhHfs;. mtHfs;> ;,];uNaypd; murdhfpa nkrpah ,g;NghJ rpYitapypUe;J ,wq;fp tul;Lk;: mg;NghJ ehq;fs; fz;L ek;GNthk; ; vd;whHfs;. mtNuhL rpYitapy; miwag;gl;bUe;jtHfSk; mtiu ,fo;e;jhHfs;. ez;gfy; te;jnghOJ ehnlq;Fk; ,Us; cz;lhapw;W. gpw;gfy; %d;W kzptiu mJ ePbj;jJ. gpw;gfy; %d;W kzpf;F ,NaR> ;vNyhap> vNyhap> nykh rgf;jhdp? ; vd;W cuf;ff; fj;jpdhH. ;vd; ,iwth> vd; ,iwth Vd; vd;idf; iftpl;BH? ; vd;gJ mjw;Fg; nghUs;. #o epd;W nfhz;bUe;jtHfSs; rpyH mijf;Nfl;L> ;,Njh! vypahitf; $g;gpLfpwhd; ; vd;wdH. mg;nghOJ mtHfSs; xUtH Xbr;nrd;W flw;gQ;ir vLj;J> Gspj;j jpuhl;ir ,urj;jpy; Njha;j;J> mij xU Nfhypy; khl;b> mtUf;Ff; Fbf;ff; nfhLj;Jf;nfhz;Nl> ;nghWq;fs;> vypah ,tidf; fPNo ,wf;f tUthuh> ghHg;Nghk; ; vd;whH. ,NaRNth cuf;ff; fj;jp capH Jwe;jhH. mg;nghOJ jpUf;Nfhtpypd; jpiu NkypUe;J fPo;tiu ,uz;lhff; fpo;e;jJ. mtUf;F vjpNu epd;Wnfhz;bUe;j E}w;WtH jiytH> mtH ,t;thW capH Jwe;jijf; fz;L> ;,k;kdpjH cz;ikahfNt ,iwkfd; ; vd;whH. ngz;fs; rpyUk; njhiyapy; epd;W cw;W Nehf;fpf;nfhz;bUe;jdH. mtHfSs; kfjyh khpahTk; rpd;d ahf;NfhG> NahNr MfpNahhpd; jhahfpa khpahTk;> rNyhkp vd;gtUk; ,Ue;jdH. ,NaR fypNyahtpy; ,Ue;j NghJ mtHfs; mtiug; gpd;gw;wp mtUf;Fg; gzptpil nra;J te;jtHfs;> mtUld; vUrNyKf;F te;jpUe;j NtWgy ngz;fSk; mq;Nf ,Ue;jhHfs;. ,jw;Fs; khiy Ntisahfptpl;lJ. md;W Xa;TehSf;F Ke;jpa Maj;j ehshf ,Ue;jgbahy;> mhpkj;jpah Ciur; NrHe;j NahNrg;G vd;gtH JzpTld; gpyhj;jplk; Ngha; ,NaRtpd; cliyf; Nfl;lhH. mtH kjpg;Gf;Fhpa jiyikr; rq;f cWg;gpdH. mtUk; ,iwahl;rpapd; tUiff;fhff; fhj;jpUe;jtH. Vw;nfdNt ,NaR ,we;Jtpl;lijf; Fwpj;Jg; gpyhj;J tpag;gile;J> E}w;WtH jiytiu mioj;J> ;mtd; ,jw;Fs; ,we;J tpl;lhdh? ; vd;W Nfl;lhd;. E}w;WtH jiythplkpUe;J Nfl;L mwpe;jJk; cliy mtd; NahNrg;gplk; mspj;jhd;. NahNrg;G nky;ypa Jzp xd;iw thq;fp te;J> ,NaRtpd; cliy ,wf;fpj; Jzpahy; Rw;wpg; ghiwapy; ntl;lg;gl;bUe;j fy;yiwapy; nfhz;L itj;jhH: mjd; thapypy; xU fy;iy cUl;b itj;jhH. mtiu vq;Nf itj;jdH vd;gij kfjyh khpahTk; NahNrg;gpd; jha; khpahTk; cw;Wg; ghHj;Jf; nfhz;bUe;jdH.

16

Xa;Tehs; Kbe;jJk; kfjyh khpah> ahf;Nfhgpd; jha; khpah> rNyhkp MfpNahH mtuJ clypy; g+Rtjw;nfd;W eWkzg; nghUs;fs; thq;fpdH. thuj;jpd; Kjy; ehs; fhiyapNyNa fjputd; vOk; Ntisapy; mtHfs; fy;yiwf;Fr; nrd;whHfs;. ;fy;yiw thapypypUe;J fy;iy ekf;F ahH Gul;LthH? ; vd;W mtHfs; xUtNuhL xUtH Nfl;Lf; nfhz;lhHfs;. Mdhy; mtHfs; epkpHe;J cw;W Nehf;fpanghOJ fy; Gul;lg;gl;bUg;gijf; fz;lhHfs;. mJ nghpanjhU fy;. gpwF mtHfs; fy;yiwf;Fs; nrd;wNghJ ntz;njhq;fy; Mil mzpe;j ,isQH xUtH tyg;Gwk; mkHe;jpUf;ff; fz;L jpfpYw;whHfs;. mtH mtHfsplk;> ;jpfpYw Ntz;lhk;: rpYitapy; miwag;gl;l ehrNuj;J ,NaRitj; NjLfpwPHfs;: mtH capUld; vOg;gg;gl;lhH: mtH ,q;Nf ,y;iy: ,Njh> mtiu itj;j ,lk;. ePq;fs; Gwg;gl;Lr; nry;Yq;fs;> NgJUtplKk; kw;wr; rPlhplKk;> ;cq;fSf;F Kd;ghf mtH fypNyahTf;Fg; Ngha;f; nfhz;bUf;fpwhH: mtH cq;fSf;Fr; nrhd;dJ NghyNt mtiu mq;Nf fhz;gPHfs; ; vdr; nrhy;Yq;fs; ; vd;whH. mtHfs; fy;yiwiatpl;L ntspNa te;J Xl;lk; gpbj;jhHfs;: eLf;fKw;W nka; kwe;jtHfsha; ahhplKk; vJTk; $wtpy;iy. Vnddpy; mtHfs; mr;rk; nfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. ( thuj;jpd; Kjy; ehs; fhiyapy; ,NaR capHj;njOe;jgpd;G mtH Kjypy; kfjyh khpahTf;Fj; Njhd;wpdhH. mthplkpUe;Jjhd; mtH VO Nga;fis Xl;bapUe;jhH. khpah Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W ,NaRNthL ,Ue;jtHfsplk; ,ij mwptpj;jhH. mtHfs; JaUw;W mOJnfhz;bUe;jhHfs;. mtH capNuhL ,Uf;fpwhH vd;Wk; khpah mtiuf; fz;lhH vd;Wk; Nfl;lNghJ mtHfs; ek;gtpy;iy. mjd;gpwF mtHfSs; ,UtH tay;ntspf;F ele;J nrd;wNghJ ,NaR mtHfSf;F Ntw;W cUtpy; Njhd;wpdhH. mtHfs; nrd;W mjid kw;wtHfSf;F mwptpj;jhHfs;: mtHfs; nrhd;dijAk; rPlHfs; ek;gtpy;iy. ,Wjpahfg; gjpndhUtUk; ge;jpapy; mkHe;jpUe;jnghOJ mtHfSf;F ,NaR Njhd;wpdhH. capUld; vOg;gg;gl;l jk;ikf; fz;ltHfs; nrhd;dij ek;ghky; mtHfs; fbd cs;sj;NjhL ,Ue;jikahy; mtH mtHfSila ek;gpf;ifapd;ikiaf; fz;bj;jhH. ,NaR mtHfis Nehf;fp> ;cynfq;Fk; nrd;W gilg;gpw;nfy;yhk; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;Wq;fs;. ek;gpf;ifnfhz;L jpUKOf;Fg; ngWNthH kPl;Gg; ngWtH: ek;gpf;ifaw;wtNuh jz;lidj; jPHg;Gg; ngWtH. ek;gpf;if nfhz;NlhH gpd;tUk; mUk; milahsq;fisr; nra;tH: mtHfs; vd; ngauhy; Nga;fis Xl;LtH: Gjpa nkhopfisg; NgRtH: ghk;Gfisj; jk; ifahy; gpbg;gH. nfhy;Yk; eQ;irf; Fbj;jhYk; mJ mtHfSf;Fj; jPq;F ,iof;fhJ. mtHfs; cly; eykw;NwhHkPJ iffis itf;f> mtHfs; FzkiltH ; vd;W $wpdhH. ,t;thW mtHfNshL Ngrpa gpd;G Mz;ltH ,NaR tpz;Nzw;wkile;J flTspd; tyg;Gwk; mkHe;jhH. mtHfs; Gwg;gl;Lr; nrd;W vq;Fk; ew;nra;jpiag; giwrhw;wpdH. Mz;ltUk; cldpUe;J nray;gl;L> epfo;e;j mUk; milahsq;fshy; mtHfSila thHj;ijia cWjpg;gLj;jpdhH.