THE SNORE WITH MORE

In deference to protests and pleas that came from family and friends, the good doctor had tried many remedies. He had even attempted to sleep in an upright position, but nothing seemed to work!

Ranjit’s father was fondly known as a ‘shaker and mover’ – ‘mover’ because he was one of the best orthopaedics around, one who had helped many an injured person to walk again, and ‘shaker’ because when he slept, his snore was something that resembled a roar! Not only the family but those in the neighbourhood knew when Dr Rao went to bed and when he left it! In deference to protests and pleas that came from family and friends, the good doctor had tried many remedies. He had even attempted to sleep in an upright position, but nothing seemed to work and all poor Dr Rao could do was offer an apology. Eventually, everyone managed to take it in stride. Ten-year-old Ranjit too, but that was until recently.

It could have been the trip to Kerala where Ranjit was witness to the roll and crack of tremendous thunderstorms. Or perhaps it was the war movie that he had watched recently. Ranjit could not explain why, but the snoring not only robbed him of sleep but set his imagination running wild, creating the worst nightmares of the thinking kind. The sounds emanating from his father’s room was a medley of terrifying sounds – snarls, growls and even whistles. The images that crowded his mind were of robbers, ghosts and monsters. When he confided his fears to his mother, all she told him was that he was a big boy now. After all he knew it was only his father. He needed the rest after a hard day’s work. He should get used to it and, yes, perhaps a wad of cotton wool would shut out the sounds.

None of this worked and Ranjit could only hope that, in time, he would get used to it. In order to allay his fears, he drew his cot — which was close to the window — a little away into the room. One night when he had managed to drift into an uneasy sleep, there arose by his bed a thug. He had just heard about them in his history lesson. Suddenly, with a courage he hardly thought he possessed, Ranjit pounced on him. They were rolling together when Ranjit landed with a thud on the cold floor. It woke him up for it was just another nightmare! Sheepishly, he tried to get up but he could not. He found himself walled on all sides in pitch darkness! Frantically, he tried to grope and claw his way out, but it was of no use. He shouted as loudly as he could but no sounds came out and none came to his aid. Where was he? Terror gripped him and he lay still and limp. And then he heard his father’s stentorian snores. There he lay listening to them with gladness in heart. They calmed him, they brought him reassurance and comfort; he knew he was safe!

By now the darkness had cleared a little and he could see well. He realised that his prison was made up of suitcases stored on one side, the wall on the other and the bed above him. He crept out, dusted himself and lay down on his bed. Before he knew it, he fell into a deep sleep lulled by the now-friendly snores that came to him from his father’s room!