The Best Revenge

On a Friday evening, the whole complex was abuzz with excitement and activity. Every third weekend, the people in the complex arranged for a cricket game to be played in the premises. The following Sunday was scheduled for a potluck breakfast with every household in the complex bringing some home-made snacks. It was a fun weekend, one that the people waited for a whole month.

Thatha loved this weekend of the month. The entire complex came alive and he could meet many people who otherwise lead extremely hectic and busy lives. While the planning committee was busy discussing about the events, he strolled around enjoying the lively atmosphere.

He saw the kids sitting on the grass and discussing seriously.

"This time we will give it to him rightly." Yash, one of Ved's friends said, shaking his fist.

"Give what to whom?" Thatha asked.

"Manoj, Thatha. During the last month's game, he deliberately pushed Yash while trying to score a run. Yash was the bowler then. He got a scrape on his knees. Manoj is very cunning and he uses all kinds of tactics to win." Ved explained.

Thatha nodded slowly.

"This time I am going to "accidently" push him." Yash said with a grin.

"Sounds good." Thatha said. "But you know what would be a better way to avenge the last game?"

The kids shook their heads as one and leaned towards Thatha.

He cleared his throat. "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."

"Marcus Aurelius!" Ved shouted. The other kids looked at him in confusion.

"Thatha likes to quote." Ved shrugged.

"You see, the best way to avenge the last game is to win the current one. You may think that causing harm to the boy "accidentally", as you said it, will bring you satisfaction. It won't. Even if it does, it will be only for a few seconds. Then guilt will set in. You know why?"

Again the kids shook their heads.

"Because none of you are like that boy, deliberately causing harm to someone simply to win. Am I right?"

The kids nodded sheepishly.

"I have known you all for a long time now." Thatha said gently. "You all are good guys, always trying to do the right thing. But yes, I know that what Manoj did was wrong. But you need not do the same thing to him. Rather, show your aggression in the game and not on anyone. You want to teach him a lesson? Teach him by winning the game. That will humble him enough."

"Yeah!" Ved exclaimed. "We can then tease and taunt him!"

Thatha winked. " I have seen that classy winners do not resort to all this. They simply give their best and they let their game talk for them." He looked around at all the excited little faces. "What do you say, boys?"

"Yes!" They all shouted. Thatha laughed and resumed his walk. Today the kids had listened to him because they were only nine years old. Once teenage set in, there was no guarantee that the kids would listen to him. But he had done what he could - given them a foundation to discriminate between right and wrong. Sometimes that's all one could do.