This is story of a time when I was in 2nd or 3rd standard. I and my cousin brother Sushant of same age, have done all the schooling together. We would always be in same class, same bench, with consequent roll numbers. We were famous as 'The Khot Brothers' (खोत बंधू). With the regular and extracurricular school activities, we have done all kinds of strange and crazy things like this one together since our childhood, that was our one claim to fame. :)
We came to this school (Montesory Balak Mandir) since 1st std, and by now we were well settled in school, formed a nice group of friends. In the recess, after finishing our meals asap, we would have a lot of leisure time. We used to pass the time with langdi, small versions of cricket, or just chit chats. One thing a common about this age is, anyone can fool you with any king of weird story/theory and you would believe him. And all such stories and stuff is eagerly shared with friends, whenever one gets a chance. This is the basic version of a gossip program in human nature.
You can never predict, what kind of things these children believe very seriously. I remember my friend Sumit was so convinced that Chacha Nehru, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru are two different persons. I was scared of Indira Gandhi’s dabgerous picture, untill i came to know she is Chacha Nehru’s daughter. I thought Netaji Subhashchandra is a kind of prince or king, after seeing his picture in which he is riding a horse.
At that point of time, I had read many stories like Alibaba and 40 thieves, etc. centered around the idea of a hidden treasure. I knew that treasure means lot of money, gold, jewels, and diamonds. I don’t know where this idea came from into Amit’s mind, who was my classmate. He confided us that, there is a treasure hidden underground, and it’s one end surfaces beyond the Saraswati Colony Gate outside our school. This was just like what I had read about treasure, it’s hidden, and to locate the exact location, they use some markings.
We trusted him, and went to the place where he told. A golden coloured closed pipe was really there. The fact was confirmed. Now the point was, how to get the treasure. There were two more schools in vicinity, the road was most of the times crowded. Hence we decided, to attempt to get the treasure, after the recess time, when all the students get inside their classes, and there is no one on the street. We didnt know much of the words like thrill, suspense, etc., but we were feeling those.
I think the only next day after the plan was decided, we attempted to execute it. We escaped the school after recess, with some pointed stones to dig. Me, my brother Sushant, Amit, and one more friend Govind. We started digging there. We were extremely excited. While digging I tried to use the passwords Alibaba used, in both Hindi and Marathi. But no luck. :D
Within minutes after starting, we drew attention of an Angry Old Man. He used to run a sell chocolates, and such stuff to school kids. He always used to get angry and scold on children. He came hunting for us, shouting, and trying to hit us with his stick. We ran away, and escaped him quickly. His reaction made our belief in treasure stronger. We thought he was there to protect the treasure.
We made a lot of plans after that failed attempt. To try midnight, to use a tunnel from school, to use the diwali bombs etc. That idea lived with us for a long time. One evening, our parents were listening when me and Sushant were discussing, and they got angry. The brain wash that happened after, made sure that we do nothing silly in many days to come. Automatically we leaved the idea behind. Meanwhile I kept thinking about finding the correct password to treasure, but I forgot that also after some days.
We did not get a treasure, but this one is our treasured memory. Few years later, I read a story in Marathi, of a common boy (Bokya Satbande) who attempts a similar adventure and fails. I felt great while reading it, and reliving my little adventure. Even today, if I come across that pipe on that place, a smile appears without fail. :)
