Evertime, we read articles / stories, which have a moral at the end
So, this time, I thought of doing something different --
I'm putting the moral first: “don’t carry your world in your wallet.”
A colleague learnt this lesson the hard way.
The chap had gone to the nearby mosque to offer his daily prayers.
Since he was inside a place of worship, he thought he and his wallet wee both at peace
However, as ill-luck would have it, a petty pickpocket decided to show the agility of his nimble fingers.
One moment is all that the thug took.
As the heads of the congregation went down in one fluid movement, the cut-purse’s fingers went about doing what they do best.
The unsuspecting victim rose along with the rest of the worshippers, and returned.
It was only some minutes later that he realized the lightness of his back-pocket.
Panic,
Anger,
Distress,
Pain,
Were only some of the emotions he went through.
Upon hurrying back to the mosque, he could just see a multitude, who were on their way to resume whatever work they had left incomplete, in order to offer prayers to the Supreme
Questions to some who had assembled around him, were answered with stony looks, sullen stares, glares—in other words, not one helpful soul was to be found (though there were quite a few unwanted onlookers).
The trip to the nearby police station was equally frustrating—as many as three letters had to be written by him (which I am sure, would find their way to the waste-paper basket, sooner or later).
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the F.I.R. was lodged.
The gruff policemen on duty, however, would not say how much time the matter would take (whether the pickpocket would be found in the first place also, was pretty vague).
Phone calls to the credit card companies (whose cards were also present in the now-absent wallet), were next in order.
They had to be pleaded with to block all the cards.
They were slightly more co-operative.
After finishing the numerous calls, reality sunk in for him.
Most probably, his wallet (with or without the odd ten or so hundred-rupee notes) will never make a reappearance in his life.
Ditto for his credit cards, ATM car(s), and any other pictures, memorabilia, visiting cards, he may have had inside it.
The pickpocket would merrily use the money, try to use the credit cards at maybe a shop, or two, and upon finding them blocked, and hence of no value whatsoever to him, fling them contemptuously.
The question is, are we safe from crime, anywhere? Be it any sort of crime?
I guess, we are vulnerable anywhere in the world.
It could be eve-teasing (from a ribald comment, to a furtive pinch), murder, rape, burglary, embezzlement, anything…
Meanwhile, for the colleague, (fruitless) visits to the police station, and / or phone calls will continue….
