After the rains, Govinda stood on the verandah. His mother and father had opened the French doors. Crows were busy with their opinions and arguments. He watched as cars drifted helplessly, bumping against the school wall. He could hear the sound of cheering in the lane as people slowly came out of their houses and resumed their busy lives, even though they walked waist-deep in water. He watched as children leaped like frogs in and out of the water. A boy paddled by in an old tyre. A group of vultures circled a dog’s carcass floating in the lane. One by one they flew down to it and clawed the rotting body.

As the water receded, Govinda was thrilled to see the lane visible again. The rain had removed all traces of the elephant but Govinda couldn’t rid himself of his old unease that no good could come from killing and burning it. But he felt relieved to be alive and that his family had not been washed away.

The Grand Lodge

The Grand Lodge

In the years since he had become principal, Govinda’s father had won the affection of the teachers, students and parents at his school, and he was frequently presented with sweets, flowers and wedding invitations. When he walked with his father along the lane, Govinda saw that people were pleased to receive the headmaster’s attention. He was often seen on the road patrolling the area, seeing what needed fixing. When he walked, he gathered a crowd. Everyone made a big hullabaloo of the amazing Sunil Seth. In traditional Indian courtesy and respect for the teacher, local men and women bowed down and touched his feet. They said he represented Saraswati, the goddess of learning, and he was helping the children of Serpent Lane to get ahead and seek out a better life. This would embarrass the headmaster.

‘People touch my feet. Yet what have I done? They think I can change things but I can’t change anything,’ his father said.

Govinda could not understand how his father might resemble a beautiful goddess with four arms, wearing a spotless white saree, seated on a white lotus. His father’s shoes and trousers were filthy and worn.

Govinda attempted to be good and important too. He wanted to emulate his father and be interesting and worthy of regard. When his father went out Govinda insisted on going with him.

One Thursday night Ashok drove Sunil Seth to Park Street. There he would visit the Freemason’s Grand Lodge of Bengal. Ever since the headmaster had joined the Freemasons, he had worked hard and rarely saw his son.

‘Can I come and buy sweets from Flurys?’ Govinda asked.

‘Only if you sit in the car with Ashok and wait. I have an important meeting to attend at my lodge,’ he said.

‘Then you will take me?’

‘Then I will take you.’