It was the time of Ganpati festival. Shyam was supposed to go home. Heavy rains had fallen. Shyam always felt a longing for home. And when one is away from loved ones, this longing only grows stronger. Now, Shyam’s mind was in just such a state. Besides, there was another reason for his eagerness to go home. He had had a new coat stitched for his younger brother. In Konkan, the days of Ganpati are days of great excitement. Those who have gone away for work return home. When they come, they bring new clothes for their family members. Shyam wanted to give that new coat to his younger brother.

In the month of June, while coming to Dapoli, he had made a decision. One of his younger brothers, whose old coat was torn, had insisted on a new one, and at that time, Shyam’s mother had told him, “Your elder brother (Shyam), after growing up and starting to earn, will stitch a new coat for you every year.” This had stayed in Shyam’s mind. In those days, there was no such thing as fashion in clothes like there is now. There were no uniforms either. Everyone wore the same kind of coats and dhotis. If it was not cold, it was hot. The clothes were the same, only the fabric changed. The younger brother’s coat was worn out. Shyam had decided to have a new coat stitched for him for this Ganpati.

It is easy to make a resolution, but to actually carry it out is just as difficult. To get it stitched by Madage...

Success requires effort. Shyama faced such difficult questions with courage. Brother would come to Dapoli now and then for court work. Even though we were poor, these duties were never neglected. Whenever brother came to Dapoli, he would meet Shyama. He would ask about his well-being, tell him to study properly. He would also give Shyama a rupee or two for food and other needs. Shyama decided to save this money. He did not spend a single paisa from it. By Ganapati festival, he had saved three rupees. As the festival approached, he counted his coins in front of Pavana. He bought cloth for a coat. After measuring, he gave it to a tailor. He took his younger brother, a little boy, along, and had the coat stitched to his size. With the money he had saved, everything fit perfectly. Shyama brought the coat home. He was overjoyed. The thought that his little brother would get to wear a new coat for Ganapati filled his heart with happiness.

Shyama hurried out of the house. Rain was pouring down without pause. The path he took was slippery, but he told himself not to worry about such rain. Yet Shyama’s mind was restless. Now he could not remember any warnings. When one is hungry, one finds ways to get food—such thoughts came and went in his mind. He wrapped the coat carefully. On the way, he