The road to Ujjain

Two words first. Why do we ask our elders for advice? Because of their experience. The play turns on two words:

• knowledge: knowing facts and information;
• wisdom: using that knowledge with good judgement.

Sort them:

• Riya's understanding of plant care → knowledge;
• Mr Kumar valuing time with family over wealth → wisdom;
• Karuna's skill in computer programming → knowledge;
• Ramesh forgiving a friend → wisdom.

The play is called 'Wisdom Paves the Way' (wisdom opens the road) for a reason.

Characters: the King of Ujjain (a young king); four young men: Ram Datt, Shiv Datt, Har Datt and Dev Datt; a Merchant; two Sentries (guards).

Setting: first a dusty road to Ujjain, then the King's court, decorated with rich tapestries (heavy cloths woven with pictures) and tall pillars. It is midday.

Scene I. The four are travel-worn but resolute (tired, but determined). They have walked for 'ten days, to be precise', and work still eludes them (they cannot find it).

Two of them show their character at once:

• Ram Datt is confident: if only they could meet the King, he would see their talents.
• Har Datt is careful: 'Gaining an audience with the King is no simple task. We need to devise a strategy.' (devise = think up a plan)

Camel tracks. They notice fresh camel tracks on the road. They walk on, scrutinising (looking very closely at) every detail and saying little. Each one notices something different.

The merchant. A merchant comes running, distressed (very worried): his camel has gone astray (wandered off). Instead of answering, the four ask him questions:

• Is it lame in one leg? Yes.
• Is it blind in the right eye? Yes.
• Does it have a short tail? Yes.
• Has it had a pain in the stomach? Yes, for two weeks!

Then they say they have never seen it. Of course he does not believe them. Indignant (angry at the unfairness), he calls them cheats and says he will take them to the King.

Dev Datt stays calm: 'You are free to do as you wish, sir. If the King desires our presence, we shall be waiting under that banyan tree yonder (over there).' He is not worried at all: the first clue that they have done nothing wrong.