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.At that moment, Karna hated himself.Why could he not be like the other boys of his caste and age? A warrior! And he the son of a charioteer.Karna vowed to learn his caste job and try to become the best charioteer in the land, and make his father proud."Karna, do not worry.We will find a way.At least he did not refuse to teach you saying you are of inferior caste.I can sell the chariot and our hut may fetch a few hundred coins.I will find some other work.We will find a way.""I do not want to be a warrior, father.Let us forget about it.It was but a stupid dream.""Karna.listen to me.""I no longer wish to be a warrior, father.Teach me how to drive the chariot.Do not say you will sell the chariot and house for my sake." Karna trembled with anger and shame.Passing pedestrians stopped to look at them.Hearing the commotion, Kripa turned.Karna's heart missed a beat.Perhaps it had been one of the Acharya's practical jokes and he would now call them and say he had asked for the 1000 gold coins in jest and that Karna could join his classes the next day."Go away, you scoundrels.What a ruckus you make! By Nandi, one cannot even play a game of dice without being distracted by idiots screaming their heads off." Kripa threw in a few choice expletives for good measure.The temple bell clanged as father and son started back towards their hut.The occasional cawing of the crows and the laughter and shouts from Kripa's group, was carried to them on the oppressive air as they walked forlornly through the dusty streets.Once they reached home, Karna went to the well in the backyard without a word.He looked at the wavering reflection of his handsome face in the dark waters deep below.For a moment he was tempted to jump in and finish everything.Then he heard his mother's sobs and his father's broken voice, and he gritted his teeth.'I have a duty to serve my parents,' he thought.It broke his heart to think he would be nothing but a common charioteer all his life.If not for the love he bore his parents, he would have taken refuge in the dark waters of the well that day.***Until Vidhura said he would recommend Karna to Acharya Drona, father and son had never again spoken of the incident with Kripa.Karna had lost all hope of ever becoming a warrior and reconciled himself to a life of servitude.Now, fresh hope sprouted a tiny shoot in his mind.Finally, Lord Shiva had shown mercy towards a poor Suta boy.Karna was up well before dawn to complete his morning ablutions.He could hardly contain his excitement.He paced up and down in the small mud verandah, waiting for his father to emerge.Even the harsh cawing of crows was like music to his ears.A few early risers were hurrying to the river ghat and the breeze carried the fragrance of jasmine and the faint tinkling of temple bells in the distance.Radha came out first and handed Karna a cup of milk.He drank it impatiently and put down the brass tumbler with a clang on the floor.Then she fussed with his hair and earrings."Where is my father?" Karna asked, trying to get away from the affectionate attentions of his mother.He saw his mother smile and knew she would be running to tell the neighbours about their good fortune the moment they had stepped out of the hut.At last his father emerged from his prayer room.Karna jumped down from the veranda and ran into the street."Karna, do not be so impatient.Have you prayed?"Karna felt irritated.He had done all that early in the morning but the last thing he wanted right now was an argument with his father.He stopped and looked up at the sky turning saffron in the east.A glorious sun shone down benevolently.Karna closed his eyes as if to capture the beautiful sight and hold it firmly in his mind.No words of prayer came to him.His emotions were so intense that he was thankful for the absence of words.He felt one with the shining sun.It caressed him with its all-pervading touch and he felt soothed, contented and happy.When Athiratha's hand fell on his shoulder, Karna reluctantly came out of his trance.He smiled and began walking quickly towards the palace [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]