Rehan’s Vesak Lantern
Rehan was determined to make a big Vesak lantern this time. His neighbour Samal had made a very beautiful lantern last year for Vesak. Everyone had admired Samal’s lantern and no one had noticed Rehan’s lanterns much.
“I can’t let the same thing happen this year as well!” thought Rehan. “I should make a big lantern this time. Bigger than Samal’s lanterns or any other lantern in the neighbourhood!” Rehan peeped over the short wall and saw Samal cutting bamboo sticks.
“Are you making lanterns for Vesak?” he asked Samal.
“Yes, I thought of making a few small ones this time,” smiled back Samal.
“That’s good!” thought Rehan.
“That way everyone will notice my big lantern and no one will notice Samal’s tiny lanterns.” Rehan went inside and called his father to help him make the frame. “I can’t tie this alone. It’s going to be a big one this time,” he told his father.
When Rehan told his father the size of the lantern he intended to make, his father was surprised.
“Why do you want such a big lantern? Why don’t you make a few small ones?” asked his father.
“I just thought of making only one to save time,” lied Rehan. They finished tying the frame after awhile. It was not easy as the frame was quite big.
Rehan bought all the kite-paper that was available in the kadé – the small neighbourhood shop. He needed a lot of paper to cover the frame. But he also secretly didn’t want to leave any paper for Samal. “This is going to look magnificent,” thought Rehan, “a huge multi-coloured lantern. Samal’s lanterns can’t compete with this!”
Rehans baby brother came crawling towards the kite-paper.
“Amma, take Malla away!” shouted Rehan.
“Just let him look at what you are doing,” said his mother.
“No, he’ll pull everything and disturb me. Please take him away!” shouted Rehan.
His small brother cried loudly when he was taken away but Rehan didn’t feel sorry.
He didn’t want anything to disturb him from making the biggest lantern in the neighbourhood.
It took a lot of patience and time, but Rehan managed to finish his lantern by the morning of Vesak day. It looked
very colourful and eye-catching. Even Rehan’s parents agreed that it was a very attractive lantern and that it would look beautiful once it was lit.
Rehan kept his lantern hidden safely in his room. He could hardly wait till the evening. Lots of people went to the temple passing Rehan’s house on Vesak day. He could picture how they would stop by to admire his colourful giant of a lantern.
He felt very proud and happy.
“I wonder how Samal’s lanterns are turning out…” thought Rehan. Just then he saw Samal opening their gate.
“Samal!” shouted Rehan, “have you finished making your lanterns?”
“Not really,” said Samal lifting and showing a shopping bag with kite-paper. “I just went to the town to buy paper. Someone has bought all the kite-paper that was available in our kadé”.
Rehan bit his lip trying not to laugh.
“Do you have enough time to finish your lanterns now?” asked Rehan feeling happy that Samal had not been able to make his lanterns yet.
“Yes, if I just keep them really simple,
I can finish by evening. It’s just four small lanterns anyway,” said Samal.
“No one will notice your four small lanterns when I hang my beautiful huge one!” thought Rehan but he didn’t say anything.
In the evening Rehan’s family got ready to go to the temple. “Putha come
to quickly hang your lantern before we leave!” said Rehan’s father. Rehan opened his room door to take his lantern out.
Then he remembered that the big candle and the match-box were in the kitchen. So he ran to the kitchen to get them. When Rehan returned to his room he stood by the door in horror. His baby brother was there, stripping the kite-paper off the lantern.
The lantern was in shreds.
Rehan screamed so loud that both his parents came running to the room and his baby brother got scared and started to cry.
“Look at what Malla has done,” cried Rehan, “what do I do now?”
“Quickly bring some kite-paper from the kadé and paste over it!” said his mother.
“But we don’t have time. This is a huge lantern and it will take too long to do that!” said his father.
“There is no kite-paper left in the kadé anyway, I bought it all,” cried Rehan.
There was no solution left. “This time we won’t be able to have a lantern
Putha. But let’s get it fixed in time for Poson!” said Rehan’s father trying to console him. Rehan went to the temple crying. He was so disappointed and angry.
On their way back home Rehan didn’t even lift his head to look at the other Vesak decorations. “Only our house will be in the dark without any lantern,” thought Rehan feeling very miserable.
But when they got closer to their house Rehan’s father said, “Look at that!” Rehan lifted his head and gasped in surprise. There were two lanterns hanging on the two sides of their gate. Another two of the same kind hanging on the sides of Samal’s gate as well. Samal had shared his lanterns with Rehan.
Samal was near the gate. “Your father told us what happened. Luckily I made a few lanterns. So there’s enough for both our houses!” smiled Samal. Rehan held Samal’s hand. He felt guilty about the way he had thought and acted. “Thank you for sharing your lanterns with me!” said Rehan, “let’s fix my big lantern in time for Poson and hang it between both our houses!”
The beautiful deed done by Samal cleared all the jealousy and anger
which was in Rehan’s heart. He felt lighthearted and happy, looking at the lanterns gifted by Samal.