The Mishra family was quite well known in the neighborhood. Their biggest problem was that house secrets somehow always found their way outside, because there was a member of the family whom the neighbors jokingly called “the leak in the house.”
This “leak” was none other than Mishra Ji’s younger son, Pappu. Pappu had a habit—whatever he was told, he would share it with the entire neighborhood within five minutes.
One day, Mishra Ji planned that the family would go on a summer vacation. He strictly said, “Don’t tell this to anyone.”
Pappu nodded and said, “I won’t tell anyone.”
But as soon as Pappu went outside, he told the neighbor’s children, “We are going to visit ‘Lanka’ this time.”
Hearing this, gossip started spreading in the neighborhood. Some people said, “When did Mishra Ji become so rich that he is planning an overseas trip?”
The next day, Mishra Ji found out that his vacation plan had already become the talk of the neighborhood. He called Pappu and asked, “Did you tell anyone?”
Pappu made an innocent face and said, “I only mentioned the name ‘Lanka.’ The rest they guessed themselves.”
Mishra Ji held his head in frustration and said, “You truly are the leak in the house.”
On the day of the trip, when the family reached the railway station, Pappu asked, “Papa, which direction is Lanka?”
Mishra Ji replied, “We are not going to Lanka. We are going to Lucknow.”
Pappu was shocked and said, “Then what should I tell the neighbors?”
Mishra Ji smiled and said, “Now don’t tell anyone anything, or this time the house will really be in trouble.”
After the trip, Mishra Ji decided that family plans would remain strictly confidential.
The neighbors say that a leak in the house can be dangerous, not because it is done intentionally, but because secrets are shared out of affection.
And Pappu still wonders why there is only one letter difference between Lanka and Lucknow.
RAJEEV VERMA 