Satiricus was in his element. And it was not just it was the season of Holi and the fellas in the bar were carrying even more uninhibited than usual. He was proud that one of his Ministers of the Coalition Government had finally seen the real meaning not only of Holi – but of all the Hindu Holidays. As the fellas downed their first bottle of the brew of the gods, he steered the conversation in the requisite direction to make his point.
“So which day, you guys celebrating Holi this year?” he asked as his opening gambit. “We’re doing Sunday.”
“Budday, yuh know a de wife does look aftah dem t’ings!” Bungi said effusively. “She pick Monday!”
“Well, my wife decided she’ll play it safe and will celebrate both days!!” confessed Hari glumly. “So I will have to eat veggie for two days!”
“Well fellas,” said Satiricus sanctimoniously. “Holi isn’t all fun and games, you know.”
“It’s not?” asked Hari doubtfully.
“W’en me bin lil, dem bai bin push me in wan trench,” confessed Bungi. “Da na bin fun.”
“I don’t mean like that, fellas,” said Satiricus somewhat impatiently. “Didn’t you hear what our Minister of Culture said about Holi?”
“That she didn’t know the difference between Phagwah and Diwali?” asked Hari with a smirk.
“That’s the problem with you Hari,” complained Satiricus. “Just because you didn’t vote for the government means you can’t see what she was doing.”
“Suh tell abee wha’ she she, na,” said Bungi. “All me know abee a t’row wata a Holi and abee a light up a Diwali.”
“She looked at the essence of the two festivals,” said satiricus with a flourish. “And decided that they were interchangeable because both tell the story of the triumph of good over evil!”
“Suh Divali and Phagwah a waan?” said Bungi, somewhat confused.
“Well, for this government, it is,” said Hari. “Next year they’ll announce we only need one Holiday for both!”
Satiricus suddenly went quiet.
