Short Story for Children – 1000 rupees change
Photo credit: singhajay from morguefile.com
Once Swapnil was about to go for some job. He didnt have enough money and so drew a lumpsum from ATM. However it was of no use as all the notes were big. So he needed change of at least one 500 or 1000 rupees note badly to at least give bus and auto fares, as none would give him change this early morning. Even if he buys something, he wont be able to buy of that amount, in return to which the shopkeeper would agree to give him change. He was not finding any other way out when he suddenly realised of the tea shop, where he passes hours after hours with his friends. He then again never expected the shopkeeper to give him the change, but hoped that he would certainly meet some of his friends in the shop who could give the same to him. However he also thought, who in this early morning, even comes to the tea shop would bring so much money with him to give him a change.
Swapnil still went in the shop with some hope and found none else except the shopkeeper, his helper and only customer there Khurana. Khurana again found no other place other than this to come and have a cup of tea and count a bundle of 50 and 100 rupees notes. Swapnil at one shot was very happy, but then sat back when he realised something. If somebody else would have been in Khurana’s position, he would surely have given the change to him. But this Khurana is such a person, who is a bit rude, take the utmost help from others and try to give the least in return. Swapnil know him by face as he has arrived a couple of times in this tea shop earlier as well. But for sure Khurana won’t be recognising Swapnil, as they have never ever spoken with each other before and Khurana is not that friendly, likes to be in his own world with his already known friends and relatives, Swapnil thought.
This could be the only reason why Swapnil would approach Khurana, as how much a person is rude by nature to his relatives and friends, he can’t behave the same way with a new person talking to him. But still Swapnil thought, though Khurana would be polite to him, it would be of no use till he give him the change. But again he would not give, giving some excuse, may be politely, as he likes to take but not give help.
Swapnil was still thinking other possible way outs, when suddenly a trick clicked his mind. He was hungry, as he hadnt had his breakfast in the morning before setting off. He thought of buying a plate of maggi and then offer Khurana a bit from his plate and then ask for the change. However Khurana is of that type that if he gets to have some maggi from Swapnil’s plate, there is a very high chance of less than half a plate to even return to Swapnil. But Swapnil is also clever enough, that he thought, he could restrict him to have very less, and still politely speak with Swapnil and give him the change and go away. Swapnil knew that Khurana came long ago and would be in a hurry to leave the tea shop.
He quickly went to the shopkeeper and whispered in his ear, “Make me one plate of maggi and don’t waste a second also to serve as it gets prepared.” The shopkeeper to this laughed and nodded and started preparing, as he understood that Swapnil would be playing some tricks which would be good to watch, as he had had done these many a times before as well.
In the meantime Swapnil went and sat closer to Khurana and started speaking with him and forming rapo by saying, “Hey, how are you? I know you. I have seen you here couple of times before as well. What’s your name? What job do you do? I am Swapnil, a local boy. Where do you stay? Why don’t you increase your frequency of visit to this shop a bit more so that you could join and become a part of our wonderful group.”
To these as expected, Khurana also started responding politely and gradually getting more and more inclined towards Swapnil and started asking questions in turn to Swapnil very politely. Then Swapnil suddenly told, “Hey, one moment. I was feeling hungry and I feel, you also didnt have had your breakfast yet this morning. I have ordered one plate of maggi. Why dont we both share the same from the same plate and increase the strength of our friendship a bit more, instead of both having one-one plate? Let me pay for our first treat together.” To this Khurana as expected immediately agreed and Swapnil again told the shopkeeper, “So serve the maggi in one plate, but give two spoons, so that we both could have the bites from the same plate but at the same time.”
The maggi was served. Swapnil immediately held the plate near Khurana and was also ready with another spoon himself. The maggi was damm hot and as Swapnil planned Khurana told, “Sir, its too hot to have it now.”
Swapnil told, “No problem. Lets wait for sometime and then would have it.”
Khurana then again as expected told, “Hey dost, I am in a real hurry as I came long ago. I think our treat should begin with my payment. So may be some other day. Today I have to leave, but as you told would be visiting here very frequently.”
Swapnil to this stood up and kindly said, “Friend in that case, if you dont grab my treat, how could I take any favour from you for which I am in need today very badly?” Swapnil knew that Khurana knows very well that Swapnil had seen him counting the notes and so cant deny, and Swapnil thought of taking this opportunity.
Khurana said, “Hey then what friends did we become if a plate of maggi is a hindrance to that, as I believe friendship indeed are strengthened by favours and help. Tell me what favour do you want?”
Though only one thousand rupee note change would have had sufficed Swapnil, but he seeing this wonderful opportunity told, “Could you please give me a change of 2000 rupees including some 50 and 100 rupees notes as I need to travel somewhere for some job and have no change.”
Swapnil to this noticed, Khurana almost started realizing his guilt of stepping in the trap of making friendship and how he was good with his earlier nature, still forcefully told ,”O sure, is this a problem?”, gave the money and went away.
