The leader of the area was respected, at least people clapped for him on the stage. His greatest skill was giving vague answers to every question. People in the neighborhood joked that if the leader ever started giving straight answers, even the weather would be surprised.
One day, a meeting was organized to discuss the water problem in the neighborhood. Since people were worried, they invited the leader. The leader stood on the stage wearing a flower garland and a serious expression.
He started his speech, “My dear brothers and sisters, water is life and life is water.” Hearing this, some children standing behind started laughing quietly.
Then an elderly man asked, “Leader ji, when will water come to our area?”
Hearing the question, the leader smiled and said, “You see, the arrival of water is a natural process. Just like the sun rises, water will also come.”
The old man said, “But the sun rises every day, while water does not even come once a week.”
Hearing this, the leader felt slightly uncomfortable and began to look sideways, as if searching for an escape. He said, “The government is seriously considering this matter.”
Then a woman said, “Serious consideration has been going on since the last election, but water has not yet come from the tap.”
Light laughter spread through the crowd. The leader understood that the situation was getting tricky.
He changed the topic and said, “We will work on roads, water, and electricity.”
A young man asked, “When will all three be done?”
The leader said, “In due time.”
The young man said, “Time has been coming for the last five years.”
Now the leader really got nervous and started looking around as if searching for a way off the stage.
Suddenly his assistant whispered in his ear, “End the speech.” The leader said, “Seeing your love and support, I am overwhelmed,” and quickly stepped down from the stage.
That day, the leader went home thinking that sometimes even speeches look for an escape when faced with tough questions.
People in the neighborhood say that the leader will come again, but only after seeing how many people are ready to ask questions.
RAJEEV VERMA 