“Halwa pakao”

Guest Post by Uncle in a Pickle

This is a short story that depicts the unfortunately sad 60 years of Pakistan. It is written in in a mixture of English and Urdu (italics) to fully understand.

In a bygone era, when, instead of large countries there were small Bastis owned and ruled by Raja’s. The Raja of one such basti died unexpectedly without any heir to the throne. The Wazir and the elderly people decided to make whoever entered first through the gate the next morning. Now, as fate changed for this old faqir, happened to walk through the gate next morning and was greeted by a number of elders from the basti who escorted him to the Palace. Promptly within no time he was bathed and dressed in royal clothes and taken to the throne. “Maharaj” kya hukm hae aap ka said the Wazir aloud. Halwa Pakao, was the reply by the new Raja, humae bhi khilao aur darbar maen sab hazereen ko bhi khilao.

This situation continued for a few days, every day loads of “halwa” was cooked and distributed amongst the privileged of the basti. The neighboring Rajas found this as an ideal opportunity to conquer and started collecting their armies at the borders. The Wazir, greatly disturbed at the situation came and informed the Raja about the armies near the borders, “Halwa Pakao, hume bhi khilao aur dushman ke faujion ko bhi khilao”, he issued the orders. Once the halwa was cooked and served he ordered the Wazir to bring his old clothes. Taking the clothes he changed and handed the Royal clothes back to the Wazir and said “Maen is basti maen halwa khane aaya thaa, jee bhar ke khaa liya, ab maen chalaa, tum jano aur tumhari nagri“, with that he quietly left the palace.