Caution sign Board by B.Deepak Kumar

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Caution sign board

(A short story with a sweet message)

By

B.Deepak Kumar

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It was a bright pleasant morning. Anand was still sleeping. Watch

with the alarm set at 8.am was ringing. Anand‟s younger brother

Prakash was an engineering final year student. He got up early and

was ready with his luggage packed. Prakash‟s mobile was ringing

continuously. It was his friends who were calling him. Prakash and

his friends had decided to go on a trip to Coorg and hence they were

calling him to make sure that he was ready. Prakash had avoided

venturing outside the city throughout his life. The reason was

Prakash‟s mother who believed in predictions and was warned by a

religious swami to prevent Prakash from crossing city boundaries till

he attains age of 18 which may otherwise turn out to be a disaster for

Prakash. But now Prakash was almost nineteen and his mother did

not raise any objections on his adventurous journey.

Though, Mother was not worried about Prakash‟s trip but she did

have complaints about the place selected. “Prakash, I don‟t

understand the need for a trip in this winter season and destination is

also a cold area.” “Mom, I had kept my desires under control to obey

and respect your religious belief. I think you should not stop me at

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this point of time when all arrangements are made including sweaters

to protect from the cold. So my sweet mom should not have any

worries about my safety instead be happy that your son is going to

have that little bit of unique enjoyment for the first time.” Mother did

understand the heart of her son to raise no more questions.

Anand was still sleeping and his mother yelled, “Anand, come down!

Your brother is on his way to a trip. Wish him a happy journey.”

Anand thought that it was dream but when heard the call again he

immediately stood on his feet and climbed down the stairs with

sleepy eyes. Anand loved to play with his brother, “You dint even

take the pain of informing me about the trip a day before?” Anand

paused and reaction was as if he was angry on that note but after the

pause he added, “If you had informed earlier, I would have also

joined the trip”. All the three burst out in laughter. Prakash informed

that trip was planned a week before, but a friend in their group was

hesitating to be a part of the same due to personal reasons and hence

got the plans on hold. Yesterday he confirmed to join and today they

were ready. Anand wanted to know the place and Prakash replied, “It

is cool coorg and we have made all arrangement for the

transportation with one of my friend getting his car and stay over

there is arranged at a home stay maintained by one of my friend‟s

relatives.”

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Anand advised as a gentle brother, “So, it is a group of youths on

their ride to Coorg. But remember that with no people to control there

is every chance of you guys getting overboard.Have some self

control.While riding the vehicle make sure to concentrate on the sign

boards because they provide information about the condition of road

ahead. ” Mother on her part asked Prakash to behave well and make

sure to safeguard his own good identities. Prakash thanking for loads

of advice went to the gate where car had arrived with his friends

inside.Even his friends had to hear some piece of advices from Anand

and his mother. Anand put some money into his brother‟s pocket and

wished him, “Have a safe journey, be careful to keep your mobile on

charge and speak to us on every day evening.”

At last Prakash joined his friends Naveen, Raju, Kamal and Giri and

the journey began. After traveling few kilometers, car stopped at a

hotel and everyone got down. It was Kamal‟s birthday and everyone

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greeted him with a good breakfast for him at a hotel along with

sweets. When Kamal insisted on gift all the friends took him outside

the hotel lifted him up horizontally and kicked hard on his buttocks.

It was birthday bumps! Kamal, who was feeling painful said that he

will never ask for any gift from his friends. The trip began on a

kicking note.

Here at home, Anand had his breakfast and reached the office on

time. Anand, who was working as a junior programmer at a reputed

software company for past eleven months was still on probation. He

had pulled all the right strings to make sure that he gets a permanent

position in the company. He had impressed his boss Mr. Raghu so

much that the two were no more like a senior and junior but were like

close well wishers. It was final month of Anand‟s probation period

and he dint want to have a single remark on his punctuality. Anand

reached office on time as he used to and entered the boss cabin. To

his surprise ever punctual Mr.Raghu wasn‟t present in his seat.

Anand spoke to Rita, Mr. Raghu‟s personal secretary, “Rita, Boss is

missing! Has anyone kidnapped him?” Rita who was filled with a

sense of anxiety, “He will not be here for two more days, his son met

with an accident yesterday and boss is busy taking care of him.”

Anand got shocked, “So sad, were you informed about the condition

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of patient?” Rita replied, “I was eager to know about the same but

boss was in a hurry mood so could not ask him anything further. But

he told that there was nothing to worry and He will be present here by

day after tomorrow to explain in detail!” “Ok, it seems to be a good

idea, I have some unfinished tasks to be completed, will concentrate

on the same and try to finish it before boss comes to office. I will

meet you in the tea break,” so said Anand and left to his cabin.

Prakash and his friends with not before experienced zeal were quite

happy, shouting loud, making fun of the people inside and outside the

car. They were on an emotional high. Kamal, who had adorned the

driver seat was feeling uneasy and suddenly stopped the car to punch

Raju on his face. All the other friends were dumb silent and Raju who

couldn‟t bear the pain scolded Kamal and asked for the reason,

Kamal with a painful face replied, “My bottom is paining like

anything and I am not able to sit properly. Your shoes with a pointed

front made me feel the kick very badly.” The whole team laughed out

louder. Raju himself had to take the responsibility of the driving the

car. Raju gradually raised the escalator and drove the car faster.

When Prakash felt that speed of car was dangerously high,he

remembered his brother‟s advice and immediately alerted Raju to

keep cool and watch out for the traffic signs all along the way. The

then excited Raju calmed down and the journey was back on a

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smooth track. The mistake was not Raju‟s because though he was in a

medium speed, another car overtook Raju‟s, inciting the sporting

spirit within. Understanding Raju‟s intention Prakash spoke, “I know

the reason behind your sudden rush, but remember that this is not a

race track and we are not racers. We have a responsibility of traveling

safe as well allowing others to travel safe. Just because of one idiot

we all shouldn‟t turn out to be idiots. There shall be no difference

between them and us. Hang on and drive carefully!” Raju understood

the message and drove safely.

On the way roadside natural beauty enthralled everyone. Till then

joking people, began to share beautiful view of nature with each other

and there was a collective enjoyment. Naveen with a sense of

excitement, “Wow, so beautiful mountains, covered with clouds, it is

a great view! Please stop the car and let us take few

snaps!” Everyone got down and took photographs; it was a quite

good combination of beautiful nature and five best friends enjoying

the beauty. Prakash to Giri, “I never had been out with the friends as

my mother was very much against it. But now she has allowed me

out at the right time and I am enjoying the nature like never before.”

Everyone got back into the car to reach the home stay before it was

too dark.

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A home stay was nothing but a lodge with all amenities including

food provided against a service charge. Since it was maintained by

Kamal‟s cousin, the service charges were waived off for the group. It

was pitch dark night. As soon as guys reached the hotel, Kamal's

cousin Mr. Ratan, who was maintaining the home stay greeted them

with a smile and asked them to get refreshed. A surprise was waiting

for Kamal and it was big birthday cake. Cake was cut by Kamal with

a birthday chorus from his friends and people at home stay. This time

Kamal never spoke about any gift. But his cousin Ratan got him a

beautiful pen. His friends came near to Kamal and he pleaded about

his inability to withstand another round of birthday bumps, but it was

not a bump instead it was a portrait of Kamal sketched by Prakash

specially for him and the same was presented to Kamal. Party was

over with distribution of cakes and after savoring specially prepared

dinner. Everyone called to their respective families and informed

about the safe arrival to the destination to get settled in a room with

five beds arranged for them. Siva, room service boy entered the room

and asked for any other arrangements to be made like hot drinks and

DVD‟s etc. But boys were quick to reject especially Prakash, “Sorry

boss, we don‟t belong to that category of people; we are here strictly

to enjoy nature and celebrate our friendship. Thanks for your offer

and please arrange for a bottle of water. Nothing else is required.”

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The day ended so and boys who were tired of travelling were quick to

enter deep sleep mode. In the midnight, temperature dipped very low,

Giri, who was shivering, got up and switched off the fan. After

sometime Naveen got up to switch on the fan and slept back. Giri

once again got up and did not know who switched-on the fan, with a

sleepy eyes switched the fan off again. Don‟t expect mischievous

Naveen to stop, he got up again and switched the fan on. Sensing that

game was not going to end, Giri simply got under the bed to control

the temperature around.

It was next day morning, boys freshened up and were at the dining

table to be served hot mouthwatering breakfast. During the breakfast,

somehow Giri came to know that it was Naveen‟s act to switch-on

the fan frequently. Hoping to teach a lesson, Giri went back to room

and quietly dipped Naveen‟s warm jacket into the cold water.

Everyone reached room and Naveen was shocked to see his jacket

wet but he realized his mistake and asked sorry to Giri without any

arguments. Others, who were ignorant about all this background

score were giggling at the situation of Naveen. Raju teased Naveen

“Dear friends, I think we should drop Mr.Naveen from our today‟s

trip as he cannot afford to come with us without his clothes, I mean

his jacket.” Kamal stood up, “I will check out whether our people

over here have some spare sweaters. If we need to buy a new one, we

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need to travel ten kilometers away and without the sweaters you are

dead outside!” Kamal called to the room service to be informed that

spare sweaters had been given for a laundry wash and it will be

delivered today afternoon. Still everyone got into the car to be guided

by Kamal‟s cousin Mr.Ratan for sightseeing and Naveen was quiet

comfortable as he had draped himself with a blanket. Boys began to

call him „blank Naveen‟. Boys were quick to take pictures and

Naveen posed with a sense of pride. Ratan to Naveen, “You are really

brave chap, don‟t you think these guys will tease you on your way

back to Bangalore?” Naveen smilingly, “I know they will, but they

are my friends and we should have something joyful to remember

about our trip. Let the reason be me.” Ratan was quick to respond,

“That‟s the positive spirit. We will reach the market area and will buy

a good sweater for you. You will enjoy the trip as Kamal had enjoyed

for so many times.” Within twenty minutes car reached the market.

After purchasing the sweater, it was all sightseeing for t boys from

waterfalls to Buddhist monastery, from gardens to mountain tips.

Boys enjoyed the trip like anything with snaps taken at each and

every beautiful place. Two days passed just like that and it was

second day evening. Guys purchased a gift and presented it to the

home stay people, as the latter were reluctant to take any money for

their service. Everyone had a group photo taken as a token of

remembrance. It was time to leave the home stay and return to

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Bangalore, by this time Ratan and his family members who were

running the home stay were much impressed by good behavior of

boys and hence invited them to visit the place once again along with

their family members.

Back in Bangalore, Anand‟s boss returned to his office. Anand, who

was anxious to know about the status of patient who had met with an

accident rushed to his boss‟s cabin. Anand‟s boss who was visibly

upset wished Anand and took stock of the situation in the office. He

appreciated Anand for the progress in the work. Anand with a lenient

voice, “Sir, I wanted to know about the situation of your son, I hope

he is fine right now! How all these things happened all of a sudden? I

couldn‟t believe when Rita informed me about the accident.”

Anand‟s boss with a fragile voice, “He and his friends had been to

Coorg for sightseeing! While returning in their car, normal road was

closed for some maintenance purpose and these people had taken an

alternative route. The road was without any caution sign boards.

These guys who were eager to reach home before midnight drove

their vehicle very fast. They failed to negotiate a right reverse bend

curve and hit a tree injuring everyone! Right now everyone is fine

with some minor injuries.”

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By the time Anand‟s boss could complete, Anand who remembered

about his brother returning to Bangalore ran out of the cabin and tried

to call his brother so that he could be cautioned about the right

reverse bend curve. Anand tried to mobiles of every member of the

team who were returning to Bangalore, but not even one was

reachable over their phones. The car in which Prakash and his friends

were traveling was almost half the way towards Bangalore. Anand

was very much frustrated and called to home stay to be informed that

his brother and friends had already left the place. Ratan, who had

picked up the phone also tried from his phone to inform the matter to

guys. Car was just about a kilometer away from the spot where

accident had occurred injuring Mr. Raghu‟s son.

Anand‟s boss Mr. Raghu, who was completely clueless about

Anand‟s reaction, came out of the cabin, “Anand! What happened to

you? Why did you come out running? I can see your face full of

anxiety and frustration!” Anand explained everything to his boss and

the reason for his frustration. Anand‟s boss laughed, “Do not worry

Anand; I will assure that your brother will not meet with same type of

accident as my son had.” Anand replied, “But sir, how come you are

so sure about it? My brother is also traveling on the same route as

your son had! I am very much upset about what is going to happen!”

Car, which was driven by Prakash was at maximum speed and

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reached the same accident spot. Prakash immediately slowed down to

neatly negotiate the curve. After passing the curve Prakash to his

friends with a sigh of relief, “Thank God, there was a caution sign

board. In its absence I would have surely hit the tree!” Anand‟s boss

explained, “As soon as I rushed to the accident spot along with

ambulances, I could make out that accident occurred mainly due to

absence of caution sign board and I immediately informed to area

road traffic in charge, who is a good friend of mine. He has got the

sign board installed! So there is no need for you to worry anymore.”

But still Anand wasn‟t convinced and he was anxiously waiting for

his brother at his house. He heaved a sigh of relief when he found his

brother getting down from the car, safe and sound. Prakash as soon as

he got down from the car hugged his brother, “Thanks brother, I

averted a major accident because of your advice of watching out for

the sign boards on road.” Anand immediately rang to his boss at late

night and thanked him very much, “Sir, I am really very proud of

you! My brother is back, safe and sound. It is mainly because of your

good intention of preventing any other accidents and getting a sign

board installed over there!” Anand‟s boss, “I had told you earlier. No

problem Anand, I am very happy for your brother! It was my duty.

Let us discuss about it tomorrow morning. It is late night, go to bed

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have a good sleep. Good night.” Anand happily wished his boss and

got the call cut.

Everything got settled very fine and good. Main

point of the story is about importance of each and

every good advice as well as each and every good

action performed with good intention. These simple

advices and actions help in preventing something

bad from happening! Contribute something good

from your end too!

Images courtesy: http://firstsign.com

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