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The trunk of Ganesha - Jayant Mahapatra

The trunk of Ganesha is a short story by an Indian writer Jayant Mahapatra. It is a story of an idol maker who finds himself in trouble in completing idol of Ganesha. Because strangely trunk was breaking every time. In the end mystery is solved.

Govinda is a skilled idol maker. He had learned this skill from his father who has learned from his father. He was living with his wife Sulochana and three son. Two of his sons were not interested in idol making but his younger son Ranju was learning this skill from his father. Govinda was happy for that.

Govinda was best idol maker in his valley and so Sulochana was proud for her husband. But now one strange thing had started happening. Govinda was working on idol of lord Ganesha but could not complete it because for some reason its trunk was breaking every time. He finish it at day but when night passes, in the morning they find the trunk broken. They couldn't find out why? Govinda starts to think about possible reasons. He thinks about clay, it's weight but all was right. Then he thinks that God must have angry with him. He has been making idols eye catching. He had started making figures of goddesses slim. He thought because of this God maybe was angry on him. He also thinks about price. He may be taking more cost for his idols.

And one day he determines to find out truth behind this mystery. He and his son decided to hide themselves in corner of the room where idol of Ganesha is. After finishing idol, they hided themselves. They wait for so long but nothing has happened. Ranju falls asleep. Suddenly Govinda sees one dark shadow in the window. It moves and jumps on the trunk of Ganesha. It was cat who at the night used to slide over the Ganesha's trunk and break it. Govinda feels great relief.

So, the story ends in witty way.


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