Humour Reduced Tension

Chandangiri, a village with a population of ten thousand, is nestled in the lap of nature amid tall trees. Ratnakar was the manager of Pragati Suvarna Bank, Chandangiri branch. He used to make daily trips by bus from Raghavpur town to Chandangiri for three years. The fifteen-kilometer journey was not stressful for him.

On Monday, five kilometers before Chandangiri, the bus stopped due to some major problem. The bus was ready for travel after two hours. He arrived at Chandangiri at 12 noon, although he was expected to be in the branch at 10 am.

During the first hour, a good number of customers visited the bank for their various banking needs. The bank's branch is located two kilometers away from the Chandragiri bus stand.

The only one auto in the village was not available, and there were no other alternative transport facilities. He had terrible tension due to the sudden situation and decided to go for a walk in the hot summer, knowing fully well that something like sunstroke may happen. He moved a few steps further and saw a car parked beneath the big tamarind tree. Ratnakar requested the driver to give him a lift to the bank. The driver agreed. As he was about to sit in the car, an old man patted him behind.

“Manager sahib, you will be in trouble if you go in this car as this vehicle is engaged by Jana Kayan Suraksha Party for election campaigns. Have you seen the banner tied to the car and fitted with the mike?” said Mukund Rao, a retired teacher and bank customer.

Ratnakar's tension increased again. He was in a dilemma.

“Sir, you are an elderly person and know my problem very well,” said Ratnakar.

“Manager sahib, do not be panicked. I am sorry; you know my nature. Nothing will happen; you can go safely,” the old man said smilingly.

The car driver heard their conversation and said, “Sir, if you don't want to come, I am in a hurry to leave right now.”

Ratnakar sat in the car. The old man waved his hand smilingly.

On the way, the car driver said, “Sir, whatever the old man said just now about taking a lift in this car is correct. You are inviting trouble. We three are workers of the party. An automatic camera is also fixed in the car. Once the photo comes out in seconds, you will become a party worker like us. If anything adverse happens to your bank service, please don't blame me,” said the driver smiling.

The others also joined him in the moment of humor.

Ratnakar tried to control his tension and started chanting Hanuman mantra.

“Driver sahib, I am a devotee of Lord Hanuman. He will protect me. Don't worry. Let us move."

The car reached the branch, and Ratnakar expressed thanks to the driver.

There was another surprise for Ratnakar outside the bank's door. One customer was exhibiting a wall clock. Another was showing a bundle of cash. Yet another was holding a passbook. One more customer was showing an application for a loan. Ratnakar, with folded hands, said, “My dear customers, please excuse me for my delay.”

Next moment, all the customers were laughing. Ratnakar entered inside and saw the cashier, Kishore, was serious and looked towards the wall, as if something had happened.

“Kishor, what happened? Are you not happy with me?”

Kishore got up from his seat, started smiling, and said, “Sir, we knew that your bus arrived late and you are in terrible tension. The purpose of acting by me and customers was to create humor for you. I think we are successful in our role.”

Ratnakar also joined them in the laughter. He sat in his executive chair with a cheerful mood. At the same time, Rudrappa Hunisemath, owner of the Kiran Cottage Hotel, arrived with a thermos flask full of hot tea and a Good Day biscuit packets. He served hot tasty tea and biscuits to all. Ratnakar was about to open his purse for payment to Rudrappa; he stopped and gave the SB account passbook for credit of the bill to his account. The customers appreciated the savings habit of Rudrappa.

Ratnakar was also laughing along with them.

All the customers left the bank after the brief speech of the manager. He said laughing certainly reduce tension.

This was an unforgettable incident in the life of Ratnakar.