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The Voice of Conscience
The Voice of Conscience

Warm-Up
Warm-Up
Conscience is the little voice inside us that tells us what is right and what is wrong. One must
listen to his/her conscience in doubtful situations. Read this story about two close friends who
rose above their enmity and listened to their conscience in order to be true to themselves
and others.

Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhary were good friends. Each relied on and trusted the other.
When Jumman went on Haj, he left his home in Alagu’s care. Alagu entrusted his house to Jumman
whenever he had to travel. They neither ate together nor worshipped together. Yet, their thoughts
were similar.

There was an old aunt of Jumman who owned some property. Jumman was her only close relative.
By promising to look after her well, he coaxed her into transferring the property in his name. But
once the property was his, Jumman’s behaviour changed. He became quite indifferent towards his
khala, his wife too neglected her.

Khalajan endured all this as long as she could. Then one day she said to Jumman, “Beta, I cannot live
with you any more. Give me a monthly allowance. I will manage on my own.”
“And where is this monthly allowance to come from?” Jumman asked rudely.

“Well, I do need some money to live on, don’t I?” said Khalajan.

“Nobody had thought you planned to live forever!” was Jumman’s mean reply.
At this, she threatened to call a panchayat.

Jumman smiled. “Why not?” he said. “Call a panchayat by all means. I am also sick of these daily
squabbles.”

For several days after this, old khala hobbled painfully from village to village, pleading her case. But
few gave her a patient or sympathetic hearing. Finally, she reached the house of Alagu Chowdhary,
rested for a moment to regain her breath, and then said, “Beta, you must come to my panchayat.”
Alagu looked uncomfortable. “I’ll come if you want me to,” he said. “But I won’t open my mouth.”

“Why not?” asked the old woman.

“Jumman and I are old friends,” said Alagu. “I cannot hurt our friendship.”

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