harikumar1964's blog

SWIFT AND SMART

The clearing in the Junglistan was filled and overflowing with animals big and small. Prime Minister Lionel was seated at the centre - surrounded by  The Big Boss Madame Foxy ( who the forest knows is the real PM ) and her coterie. Contract for the Multiplex cum mall at the centre of the forest is to be awarded- but it is the forest, so no tendering and L1 bidder. The two contractors - Rabbi Rabbit and Toni Tortoise are vying for the prime contract and the winner will be decided on the basis of a race between the two. Whole jungle has turned up in the clearing to witness the race.

Both were confident of their victory- one because of his speed, the other because of the other’s foolhardiness. They both were oozing with confidence in the pre-match press conference which was aired in all major channels live. Even the race was live on almost all the channels, so those who missed out at the clearing, could watch it live on ‘TV and then umpteen times repeat with experts who is anything but an expert giving finer tips and how the winner has actually won and the loser actually lost - with special breaking news of who bribed whom and who cheated whom with special jerking effect of the final moments, till you lose your tempers and -with much of your hair plucked out and most of the glass ware broken, and nothing else to break but to -smash the idiot box.

At the fixed time of 10:00 FST, on that fine Sunday morning, the whistle was blown by the match referee (sorry he is not a whistle blower- but a confidante of Madame) Mukhu the Koel. In no time, the swift Rabbit galloped the stipulated 200 metres, crossed the line marked by the waving of the chequered flag and kept on running till he reached below the podium  bowed before Madam and Lionel in a show of utter obedience much to the liking of madame, and all these while the Tortoise had taken just a few steps. Now it was the turn of the bookies to scratch the head and pluck the hair in despair, as they are about to loose huge sums - rabbit being the underdog, was sold for huge odds, where as tortoise was the favourite to win, based on past performance.

Madame was immediately up on her feet, blessed Rabbi, handed the packet that contained the detailed award letter to the PM to be presented to the winner. Unmindful , the tortoise was still crawling along, but  raised his face on hearing the applause  just in time to see Rabbi getting the contract , decided to call it a day, moved out of race track , hailed his Mercedes and swiftly made exit and was not available for comments- much to the disappointment of the Sansani Khabar News channels.

In the post race conference, Rabbi was exuberant, and made the victory speech tailored in the typical Oscar fashion. He thanked everyone whom he would have probably met in his life, but showered  boundless gratitude to Madame as more such tenders are in the offing, and concluded it with the emotional remark that he grew up hearing the old story of his ancestor being disgraced for  overconfidence. So this time around he made it a point  not to repeat the past mistake. And with speed on his side, tortoise stood no chance. He was happy that finally he could clear the blemish that had tormented his folks for so long. He waved his hands cheerfully before the flashing cameras, shown live all over Junglistan. And thus dawned a new catchphrase.

IN THESE DAYS OF THE SWIFT AND SMART, THE SLOW AND STEADY CAN ONLY BE ALSO RANS.