Bhola Saves The Day – Part IV

Shyam’s parents were terrified at the prospect of whipping their own child fifty times each with a lash while he’s helplessly tied to a tree.

“Surely there must be some other way,” Shyam’s mother pleaded.

“I am afraid not,” Guruji replied.

“Will it be okay if we whip him only five times instead of fifty?” Shyam’s father asked.

“This is no ordinary spirit. It is evil to the core. Only a severe punishment will drive him out of Shyam’s body. There can be no leniency in this matter.”

Shyam’s parents looked at each other, helpless and petrified.

“Do not worry, Mama,” Shyam said, hugging his mother. “I am your brave boy. I will bear the pain if it helps to banish the evil residing inside my body.”

He turned to his father and said, “Whip me hard, Papa. Do not hesitate. I must have done something sinful in this life or a previous one. This is the fruit of those acts. I must pay the price and relieve myself of this burden.”

Shyam’s parents cried upon hearing the mature words uttered by their child. They hugged him tightly and shared a tearful gloom.

Bhola, however, was lost in thoughts of his own. Standing in a corner of the room, he wondered if there could be another way of curing Shyam; he knew he had to do something in order to save his friend from this cruel and harsh treatment; however it was the things that he didn’t know that were of importance paramount.

He ran to his parents next door and apprised them of the matter in great detail.

“It is good that something severe is being done. Guruji’s methods have never failed the village,” Bhola’s mother said. “I never liked the boy anyway.”

“Why don’t you stay away from him?” Bhola’s father added. “I don’t want you to get infected too. Nothing is certain when it comes to evil spirits. Why don’t you play with the other kids from your class?”

Despite his parent’s insistence, Bhola was sure that something needed to be done. And quickly. He now knew that there was only one person in the village who may be able to help him.