Friends

Anil and Nihal were walking back from school. They lived in Elpitiya, inland from Ambalangoda in the Galle district. Taking a long path home through the woods, they came to a wide stream. The path, though dotted with some trees, ran alongside it. They saw a big boy fishing way ahead.

Nihal told Anil, “Why don't you shout to him?”
“Why?”asked Anil.
“Shout and say, you won't catch any fish, yah yah!”
Anil didn't like it.
“Shout,” persisted Nihal.

“You shout, if you want,” said Anil crossly.
Then Nihal shouted. “You'll catch only mud, you won't catch any fish, yah yah!”
The big boy shouted back “What?”
Nihal repeated what he shouted.

Then the big boy placed his fishing rod firmly on the ground and ran towards them.“Run,” shouted Nihal to Anil and they both ran into the woods.

They heard footsteps behind them. Anil tripped on a large root of a tree and fell. Nihal looked back but when he heard the running footsteps he didn't stop but ran away.

The big boy caught up with Anil as he was trying to get up. The big boy helped him up and asked, “Why did you run?”

“Nihal wanted to run and I too ran,” replied Anil.
“Would you like to come and fish with me?”
“Yes, please,” beamed Anil
So they walked back.
“My name is Priyan, what's yours?”
Anil told him and they chatted.
Priyan showed Anil how to hold the rod and how to cast the line,
especially in areas near trees.

Anil enjoyed himself doing so and then Priyan took over.
Priyan was from Galle and he was holidaying in Elpitiya at his uncle's tea estate. He was sent there because he had got measles and there was no one at home to care for him as his parents had to go abroad.

“I feel quite alright now and I like it here. I cycle along the estate roads sometimes.”
“Do you have a cycle here?”
“No, I borrow the estate caretaker's bike.”
“You are lucky to get measles
during school time.”

“Ha ha, that's the way to do it.”
“What about lessons?”
“A teacher comes every evening and gives me lessons. I like to do
lessons this way.”
“Yes, I'm sure,” said Anil in
wonderment.
“Come, I'll show you how to catch fat worms for bait.”
“Ok.”

The big boy took a cane basket and waded in a ditch. Then he pushed the basket through the water to the bank and lifted it out. The water ran out and the little fish and snails were left at the bottom. These were the bait. Anil looked up and he saw that the sun was waning.

He reluctantly told Priyan he had to go.“Of course.” smiled Priyan and added, “My uncle has a boat. I can borrow it and we could row in it and you can learn rowing too, if you like.”

“Oh! Could I?” gasped Anil. Priyan got his answer with Anil's happy face. Anil ran all the way home. He was over the moon. Anil was so excited at home that evening till his mother asked him to be quiet and do his homework. He even dreamt of a boat, a lake and rowing in it.

Next day was school and the children were busy in the fourth grade. Anil met Nihal only at the mid-day interval.

“Shall we go along the wood today after school?” asked Nihal when he approached Anil.
“'No, I'm busy.”
“Why? What will you do?”
“I have to meet Priyan.”
“Priyan? Who's he?”

“He's my friend at the stream edge and we are going fishing.”
Then, Anil ran off to the playground while Nihal looked abashed.

Later, when Anil met Priyan, the latter told him he had got the boat ready. It was tied to a tree upstream. Both of them walked there and they got into it. Priyan rowed powerfully. He gave another set of oars to Anil, asking Anil to do what he did. Anil did well, with little instruction from Priyan.

They rowed steadily and reached a landing place on the opposite side of the stream. Priyan tied the boat to a tree and they went exploring the woods on the other side. Priyan told Anil to be still as he had seen a slight movement. He whispered and Anil stood still. After a few minutes Priyan went forward and peeped into a bush. He put his hand inside and came out with a young wild hare. Anil began to stroke the young one and took it over.

“Should I take him home?”
“No,” said Priyan, “better keep him where I found him as his mother may come looking for him.”
“Yes, I guess that's the best way.”

“We can come again tomorrow and if he is around alone, maybe we can take him to your home or mine.”
Priyan placed the little hare under the bush. Anil was thrilled to know they could come again rowing and trekking. Being a kind boy, he told Priyan about Nihal.

“Nihal is my good friend,” he added. “I'm sure he'll like to come too.”
“Why don't you bring him over?”
“Thanks, Priyan. I certainly will. Nihal will be as happy as I am.”
Then, they both laughed and went into the woods to explore some more.