The Queer Companion

Journey to the Town

Kishan and Gulab left their village together and headed toward the town. They were going to buy goods for their shops in the village. Each had carried his own packet of food to eat on the way. By noon, when they passed through a forest, they felt hungry and sat down under a tree.

A Sharing Dilemma

“Let us not be foolish enough to open both food packets at the same time. Let us finish one packet together now. We can share the other one at night,” proposed Gulab.

“Why not?” Kishan agreed, asking, “Which packet should we empty now?”

“Well, my friend, you are weaker than I am. If we finish your packet now, you will feel lighter while walking,” said Gulab.

“Thank you for your consideration,” said Kishan as he opened his packet. Both enjoyed the food, which was quite delicious.

Lost in the Forest

After an hour’s rest, they resumed their journey. They should have reached the town by evening, but Gulab claimed he knew a shortcut. Kishan followed him, only to realize soon that they had lost their way in the forest.

It was a moonlit night. Feeling hungry, both sat down on a slab of stone. Now it was Gulab’s turn to open his food packet. He opened it but, instead of offering a share to Kishan, he began to eat alone with great concentration.

A Desperate Reminder

Kishan coughed and came closer to remind Gulab that he was starving. But Gulab took no notice of him.

“My friend, should you not pass on a portion of your food to me?” Kishan finally asked.

“Why?” Gulab replied bluntly.

“Well, ah, I let you share my food in the morning, didn’t I?” Kishan said.

“You did. That was wise of you. You could walk easily because you had no surplus food to carry. Now, you should realize that I, being fatter and stronger, have a greater need than you. Be wise again and keep quiet,” said Gulab gravely as he finished the rest of the food in a few gulps.

The Aftermath of Betrayal

Gulab then declared that it was not possible to find the way out of the forest at night. They stretched themselves on the slab of stone. Kishan was too tired to stay awake for long.

He woke up at the sound of birds chirping around him. It was morning. Gulab was nowhere to be found, nor was Kishan’s bag containing all his money—left under his head.

Kishan sighed sadly when he understood that he had been deceived and robbed by his companion. With all his money gone, there was no use going to the town. He had no desire to return home either and narrate his woes to his family. He wandered in the forest, sighing from time to time.

A Strange Encounter

But whenever he sighed, he felt as though someone else sighed too. He looked over his shoulder and saw a stranger in tattered robes, looking like an apparition, following him.

“Who are you?” Kishan asked.
“ I am the only friend you have in the world now. My name is Misery. I am happy to see how miserable you are,” came the reply.

Kishan did not like the fellow’s smile or his words, but there was no time for criticism.

“I am hungry. Can you tell me where I can get some food?” he asked.

“Why not,” said the stranger quite affably. “Follow me!”

The Tavern Dilemma

Kishan followed the stranger. He soon observed that although the fellow had a human form, his body was not made of bones and flesh. But one would not know that unless one looked very closely.

At the end of the forest was a tavern. “All we have is wine,” said the tavern owner.

“That is a fine thing. That should give you strength instantly,” Misery whispered in Kishan’s ear.

Kishan shunned wine, but he had no choice at that moment. Dying with hunger and thirst, he guzzled a potful of wine and got up to leave.

“Price, please,” the tavern owner reminded him.

“Oh, I had forgotten about that. I have been robbed of all my wealth. Later, when my condition improves, I will pay what I owe you,” promised Kishan.

Descent into Misery

“I have been running my shop for twenty years and know all kinds of cheats,” growled the tavern owner, catching Kishan by the hand.

“Why don’t you give away your turban to the fellow?” suggested Misery.

“Yes, that is what I should do,” said Kishan. He took out his turban, made of fine new linen, and gave it to the tavern owner to satisfy him.

He wandered through the forest all day, dazed and sad. Misery followed him wherever he went. When he wept, so did Misery, muttering, “How nice it is to weep!”

The Cycle of Misery

By evening, Kishan felt hungry again. “Let us go to that tavern,” proposed Misery. Kishan knew he had no other choice.

“How are you going to pay for your food and drink?” asked the tavern owner.

“All I need is food, no drink. But I do not know how to pay for it!” said Kishan.

“Why!” whispered Misery. “Have you forgotten about the ring on your finger? And what do you mean by no drink? How are you going to forget your sorrow if you do not drink? Your ring should bring you food and drink for several days.”

Kishan had no strength to disregard Misery’s advice. He bargained over his ring, and the tavern owner agreed to supply him with food and drink for five days in exchange for it.

Downfall Through the Days

During the five days, Kishan grew more and more addicted to drink, while Misery remained by his side to encourage the habit. Kishan knew that he was growing more miserable but did not know what to do.

At the end of the five days, the tavern owner refused to serve Kishan. But Misery counseled, “Have you forgotten that you have a gold-plated tooth? Why don’t you knock it out?”

Kishan followed the advice, and the little gold from his tooth provided him with food and drink for three more days.

“Indeed, there is nothing more left with you,” said Misery. “Follow me. We can steal something from the nearest village.”

Descent to Theft

Kishan was unwilling to follow Misery but found himself compelled to do so when he could no longer bear the pangs of hunger. He stole a few utensils from a farmer’s house and paid for food and drink for two more days.

But he felt utterly degraded. His heart was full of disgust for himself as well as for his companion, Misery.

“Do not worry. I know of a secret hole where three or four bricks of gold lie. Come, let us dig them out,” said Misery. “With me by your side, you will finish using them in no time,” he assured Kishan.

The Turning Point

Soon they were near the hole. Misery directed Kishan to lift a boulder and enter the hole. Inside, Kishan found four gold bricks. He hurled them out one by one.

“Is there anything more inside?” asked Misery.

“I am not sure. Why don’t you come in?” said Kishan.

Misery hopped down into the hole. As soon as he did, Kishan jumped out and rolled the boulder into the mouth of the hole. Misery remained locked inside.

Kishan packed the gold bricks in a part of his cloth and proceeded to the town. The next week, he returned to his village, carrying cartloads of goods for his shop. His family and friends, who had been passing through agony, were happy to see him back. The only one to draw a long face was Gulab.

A Triumphant Return

Kishan soon built a nice house and threw a sumptuous feast for the villagers. After the feast, Gulab met him and apologized for his conduct, asking how he had acquired so much wealth. Kishan recounted his story about Misery and how he had rid himself of the creature.

Gulab entered the forest the same night. Following Kishan’s description, he found the boulder and removed it from the mouth of the hole.

Misery’s Revenge

“Come out, Misery, you are now free to return to your friend, Kishan,” said Gulab.

“Friend?” shrieked Misery upon emerging from the hole. “Do you call someone who shuts you in a hole your friend? If I have any friend, it is you. You are my deliverer. I love you. I will never leave you.”

“Please leave me,” screamed Gulab as he began to run. But when he reached home, he found Misery standing behind him with a smile.

“I will never leave you,” assured Misery. And no doubt he kept his word, for Gulab was seen completely ruined within a few months!