In our neighborhood, Ram Lal the sweet-maker was famous far and wide—especially for his piping hot jalebis. Every morning, as the oil bubbled in the large pan and thin streams of batter swirled into perfect golden spirals, a heavenly aroma filled the air. The fragrance alone was enough to make mouths water instantly.
One day, Mohan Lal received strict instructions from his doctor: “No more sweets!” His blood sugar levels were too high. Returning home, he proudly announced that from now on, health would be his top priority. His family applauded his determination, but the neighbors were not entirely convinced.
The very next morning, Mohan Lal stepped out for his regular walk. The road to the park was straight ahead—but the irresistible smell of fresh jalebis gently pulled his feet in another direction. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of Ram Lal’s shop. He reassured himself, “I’ll just look, not eat.”
There he stood, gazing at the jalebis as if meeting a long-lost love after years. Ram Lal smiled knowingly and asked, “How much should I pack today?” Mohan Lal panicked. “N-no, I was just passing by…”
At that exact moment, Mr. Sharma appeared behind him. “Aren’t you on a diet?” he teased. Without missing a beat, Mohan Lal replied, “Of course! I’m just checking the quality so I can warn others.”
Meanwhile, Ram Lal lifted a fresh batch of jalebis from the oil and dipped them into warm sugar syrup. The sight was so mesmerizing that Mohan Lal’s resolve began to melt like sugar itself. Finally, in a soft voice, he said, “Just half a kilo… I mean, for the family.”
When he reached home, his wife spotted the packet immediately. “What’s this?” she asked suspiciously. Mohan Lal replied confidently, “Oh, I was taking it for a neighbor. It just ended up here by mistake.”
Just then, his young son innocently announced, “Papa already ate two on the way!”
The truth was out, and laughter filled the house.
After that day, Mohan Lal revised his diet plan. The new rule was simple: jalebis once a week—preferably without the doctor finding out.
And to this day, Ram Lal’s shop continues its noble mission of making mouths water every single morning.
RAJEEV VERMA 