24. The Gandhi Cap

Owner: Manager, don't wear Gandhi topi now onwards, while coming here.

Servant: Seth (sir), you are giving me orders, which can't be obeyed.

Owner: Whatever you may think, but we wouldn't allow Gandhi cap here.

Servant: But I have vowed to wear only khadi clothes. How am I going to break it?

Owner: I am not asking you to give up wearing khadi, you just get it dyed black.

Servant: But I like it white only, so I wear it. Why do you object to it?

Owner: If you want to stay on the job you will have to do what I ask you. You look like a volunteer wearing that cap. If people come to know that we have employed a volunteer it may cause a lot of loss to us.

Servant: I am unable to understand this. I am doing my duty honestly. I don't know how my wearing a white cap is going to affect you?

Owner: Listen manager! Don't debate with me. This is a Gandhi cap; people will doubt us.

Servant: What is there to doubt about? Gandhiji is the most pious person in our country.

Owner: It might be true, but from tomorrow you will come to work without wearing this cap.

Servant: I won't be able to do so.

Owner: Then you are free to go.

Servant: As you wish, sir!

Owner: Mind well, you will repent afterwards that you had to loose the job because of that ominous cap.

Servant: Thank you very much for the advice, sir! But I cannot tolerate disregard for Gandhiji and my country just for money. Good-bye!

The above dialogues are imaginary. But this happened very often in government departments, business places owned by foreigners and in some native business houses too. That brave servant sacrificed the job but did not stop wearing the Gandhi cap.

Actually, the cap's price was only four annas (now 25 paisa). But now its price crossed all the limits and has become invaluable.

The first reason of its becoming priceless is that it was launched by Gandhiji.

Another reason is that it is made from sacred khadi.

The third one is that it could always be kept clean and as white as a crane's wings.

The forth reason was that it was beautiful.

The fifth one could be that it was light, simple and cheap.

The next and the sixth reason was that it was honoured as a part of the national costume.

The seventh reason was that it bore the name of Gandhi.

Above all, the most valuable thing about it was that a lot of patriots sacrificed their life for it.

Who wouldn't feel proud to wear such a priceless cap?