FIRE-EATER!

The procession was noisily ambling along the streets of the city, hundreds of marching people were dancing gleefully to the loud music being played by the huge speakers mounted on the trucks.There were jugglers,clowns and the stilt walkers but the star of the parade was Raja-a fire eater who could blow mile long fires out of his mouth,much to the delight of the crowd.They literally used to halt their march when he used to perform,crave for more acts and he lovingly used to oblige them.He used to collect the single digit notes as his tip gracefully.He had to take care of his family in this big mean city.

Last month, Raja came to me in a breathless and febrile delirious state.He had aspirated a large amount of kerosene in his lungs and suffered a chemical pneumonia. The kerosene was his constant companion in his fire breathing acts,used to be stored in amber colored beer bottles usually carried by his small son.He used to take big swigs and blow on burning torches to enthral the crowds.That day was very unlucky for him. He was put on a ventilator in an ICU and treated aggressively with antibiotics to make a slow recovery.I strongly advised him to refrain from such acts in the future and told him to change his hazardous profession.

He confessed that he knew no other skill to survive in this city and crime was not his favoured choice either as he was a conscientious god fearing person.He had a sense of dignity in his way of life which made me feel proud. He considered this pneumonia as an occupational hazard and called his friend to set an appointment for the next fire eating act.He had to offset his loss during hospitalisation and immediately took a discharge.

While leaving, I asked him whether he was afraid of fire,

He said yes, much to my surprise.

He confessed that the 'raging fire in his belly' was the worst fear in his life and not the real one. I stood there, stunned!

I saw him the other day, during a procession with his child- breathing fire again!