A tale of Harphool, Manphool and a ferocious dog.....

Harphool Singh and Manphool Singh joined as Junior Basic Teachers in a government school in a remote village of Fatehabad district of Haryana.They were thrilled on getting their first salary and decided to celebrate the occasion with a booze session in an agricultural field away from the village. Drinks with pakora and namkeen snacks elongated the booze session and it was a bit late into the night when they thought of heading back for their rented accomodation in the village.
As they neared the village periphery,Harphool was reminded of the ferocious dog that frequently attacked the passersby.He proposed a longish alternate route way home.Intoxicated Manphool brushed aside the suggestion as a mark of cowardice.He held Haphool's arm and arms-in-arms they decided to take the direct shorter route home.They were crooning a folk tune also.
They hadn't gone far when the ferocious dog barked and ran towards the strangers.Petrified Manphool ran away backwards but Harphool had no time or option as the dog was almost on him. He could just fold his blanket haphazardly and held it close to his chest as an armour against the menacing dog. As the dog jumped on to his chest and was about to attack his face, Haphool as if in an effort to throw the dog away, put his blanket over its head and held him tight. Both were trying to extricate themselves from each other but held tight lest the other attacked  if let loose. Both seemed to be crying in their own ways. Locality people came out as they heard the noise. Recognising Harphool as their new school teacher, they asked him to leave the dog as they were there with their lathis if the brute dared attack him again. Harphool wasn't ready to leave the beast fearing its reprisal. On further assurance, as he released the dog, it took to heels and Harphool heaved a sigh of relief. The booze had evaporated totally by then. 
The dog had spoiled the party so there had to be a repeat session at the same place the following day. As they settled in a field, Manphool noticed some dirt on Harphool's blanket. 
"Oh! bloody hell.It is dog's potty that sure might have come in the wrestling match the previous evening", said Harphool as he tried to scratch away the dried dirt."Harphool, you can't be so sure. It could well be yours", said Manphool as he retreated a bit to ward off the mock attack from Harphool. They both had a loud hearty laugh and cheered  with a double peg to celebrate their first salary cheques crooning a folk tune...
Teri ankhyan ka yo kajal, Maine kare Sai Gori ghayal....
( O village damsel, the kajal in your eyes pinches my heart)

(Based on the memoirs shared by a former teacher on the Teachers Day)

    (The writer, Ajeet Singh is a freelance journalist based at Hisar. He retired as Director of News , Doordarshan, His cell no- 9466647037)