It happened long ago when I was a student. Yet, whenever I recall the dilemma I faced that day I can’t help laughing at myself. It was a pleasant sunny afternoon. I was window-shopping in the city’s prominent market place. At one point, I came out of a crowded corridor and entered the wide sidewalk where I could do some brisk walking.

Suddenly, I noticed a crumpled Rs100 banknote lying near a potted plant. Evidently, it had dropped out of the palm or pocket of some careless person. I would like to point out that in those days, the rupee was strong and a banknote of Rs100 was not ordinarily given to kids lest some snatcher run away with it.

A Rs100 note could buy many things. That is why it was treated as precious and looked tempting. It enjoyed its own unchallenged supremacy, till one day it was pushed into a corner by denominations of Rs500 and Rs1,000.

So, when I saw it, I stopped, virtually like a car screeching to a halt. By reflex action I would have picked it up. And who would not have reacted that way? After all, it was a ‘precious’ Rs100 note! But then something stopped me. I looked at the note and the passersby alternatively.

Various thoughts came to my mind. Had someone dropped it accidentally? Or was it a booby-trap laid by some prankster like they do around Holi, the festival of colours? Sometimes, a shining coin is nailed to the ground or fixed with some strong adhesive. The moment somebody bends to pick it up, youngsters pounce on him. Not only does he not get the coin, he is made to part with coins or notes in his pocket as a ‘donation’ for Holi revelry.

Was this also a trap laid for an unsuspecting pedestrian like me?

The other thought that came to mind was that if the money belonged to some well-off person it may not be imprudent to keep it.

But if some poor person had dropped it, he or she might be crying over the loss. In that case, it would be unethical for me, or for that matter anybody else, to pocket it.

Dilemma

To take it or leave it was the question before me. Finally, I decided that the money was lying there due to somebody’s negligence in which I had no role so there was no harm in grabbing it. My conscience was clear.

Just as I was going to bend, I cast yet another glance at the passersby to make sure that nobody was watching. Or that its owner was not around looking for his or her lost currency. But more importantly, I wanted to make sure that there was no prankster hiding nearby to pounce on me like a leopard when I took the bait.

What if somebody appears from nowhere, grabs my collar from behind and pulls me back, humiliating me in public by claiming that the money was his? And then walks away casually with the booty that certainly did not belong to him.

I spent a few anxious moments mustering courage to pick up somebody else’s money. To avoid any suspicion, I moved away a few paces, but fearing that someone else might get away with the note, I quickly made an about turn and stationed myself at the same spot. I stood in a manner that shielded the crumpled note from being seen by other passersby.

The other thought, a happy one, that came to my mind was that once I walk away with the note, I could devour my favourite confectionery and sweets and watch movies, which were otherwise restricted by my parents. (A seat in ‘first class’ in the cinema used to cost about Rs2).

Still waiting for the right moment to pick up the banknote, I started shuffling my legs and pacing back and forth. In the process I unwittingly lifted the shield I was assiduously giving to the note. It was now clearly visible to passersby.

And then, something shocking happened. One of two youngsters passing by saw the note, quickly picked it up and beaming with joy told his friend, “Oye, see this. I found it here. Buddy, now we will have a nice dinner and see some movies. Okay?”

“Yes, okay,” responded his friend.

I froze in my shoes and grudgingly watched them walking away merrily — with the precious Rs100 note.

Lalit Raizada is a journalist based in India.