Two Cents 1

A Penny for Change, Part 2: Two Cents

By Amber Rookstool
I sat at the caf table and waited, wondering what they would be likemy great
grandfather and uncle flying in from India. Would they speak English or Hindi? Would I have to
remember my Hindi? Its been so long since Ive used it, Ive forgotten a lot. I hope they speak
English.
I wonder what stories they could tell me; India has such a rich culture, anything they tell
me will be extravagant. I hope they tell me stories about my grandfather and dad when they lived
in India, too.
I wondered and pondered for what seemed like hours until I hear a voice behind me that
said, You know, Kusa, you know what makes no sense?
What, Lava?
A penny because its only worth one cent! He started laughing before he finished the
punch line, But two pennies, two pennies make cents.
The two men each laid a penny next to mine on the table. The men were boisterous and
large. They both had the same hair, eyes, and beard; the exact height, voice, and build; the only
distinguishing features is one had freckles under his eyes.
I stood up to greet my relatives and motioned to their chairs.
Its so good to finally meet you, I said. I was relieved to not need to speak Hindi. Its
nice to find new relatives.
Yes, it is.
Im curious. Where did you just hear about us?

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Actually, Grandfather told me a little about you guys when I was growing up because
my father left to find spirituality, so he and my mother raised me. He would compare your
travelling band to my fathers outrageous journey. Recently, Ive come to disagree with
Grandfathers opinion.
I paused for effect.
My father passed away before I could tell him I forgive him.
Im so sorry.
Its okay. If it wasnt for him, I would not be talking you.
How so?
I was very conceited a few months ago, then this man who turns out to be my father
returns and flips my world upside down. He convinced me I was miserable in my material life.
He changed me into a more person-oriented man.
How awesome you could make a change like that!
Unfortunately, my grandfather was not as accepting. He continues to criticize you both,
but I want to hear your two cents. Why did you leave Grandfather Steven behind?
He was Shakya when we raised him, Lava corrected.
Because that is how time always was, Kusa answered. It started with our father,
Rama.
Why was he absent?
...
Rama was a very powerful leader in his village. Many people believed he was god-like,
or at the very least, had the respect of the gods. Because of his stature, many villages requested
his aid in political and religious matters. He became more desired when the British started

Two Cents 3

colonizing India. Rama helped many states lead rebellions against the foreigners. He won all of
them; any battle Rama was in, his side always won. Except one. Well, he still won, but it was to
his detriment, he lost his wife and his family because of it.
General Cornwallis arrived in India in 1788. In one fell swoop, he conquered many
Indian states and crushed rebellions. He punished anyone who practiced Indian traditions; he was
a supremacist. He forced the men into becoming sepoys and he took advantage of women and
children. During Cornwalliss tyrant, Rama was helping fight smaller battles in the forests,
unaware of the Demon of India.
General Cornwallis set up many spies in the forests. He had heard about Ramas powers,
and he wanted to destroy the threat. He received word from Pamela, his sister; she had found
Rama and his beautiful wife, Sara. General Cornwallis was smart. He knew if he fought Rama in
the forest, he would lose. He needed to weaken Rama, so he kidnapped and raped Sara.
Rama was devastated and enraged. He would avenge his pregnant wife. Rama gathered a
huge army of men from every village and state he ever helped. During preparations, a man
named Warren Hastings warned Rama of Cornwalliss plan of attack.
Why do you help us? he asked.
I was governor before Cornwallis stampeded in. He is destroying your rich culture and
needs to be stopped.
Rama thanked him and appointed him lead in one of the battalions. Hanuman, his most
devoted soldier, and Lakshmi, his most trusted brother, led the other two. The four troops hid
among the trees that surround the port General Cornwallis occupied. As he tried to lure them out,
they lured him further. The standoff went on for days. Finally, on the fifth day, both armies filled
the streets of Lanka. It was a bloody battle Rama almost lost, but while Cornwallis and his army

Two Cents 4

were distracted, Hanuman was able to rescue Sara, and Ramas army retreated with minimal
causalities compared to Cornwallis, who died in the battle along with his son.
After the war, Rama took Sara back home, and allowed Governor Hastings to preside
over Lanka, as long as he ruled tolerantly, and he did.
When Rama returned home, many people worried about Saras loyalty to Rama.
Everyone knew what Cornwallis did to women, and Sara came home larger than when she left.
Rama knew Sara carried his child, but the state judged her. Sara ran away into the forest where
she lived with a hermit. No one bothered her there. She gave birth to twin boys, Kusa and Lava.
Soon after, distraught with their resemblance to Rama, she killed herself. The two brothers
searched for their father for years, but all they knew was the story their mother told them.
When they finally tracked him down, he had died in the Sepoy Rebellion, and they never
got to meet him. Instead, the boys honored their father through presentations of song and poetry,
cataloging his chivalry.
...
We raised Shakya together; his mother died when he was an infant. We grew up
traveling around, so thats how we lived our lives. We went from village to village preforming
our songs. Some people say we helped promote nationalism while India continued to fight for
independence.
I guess Shakya felt as if we left him alone too often when we performed. I thought we
had done a pretty good job raising him, until he decided to move to America.
Were you upset?

Two Cents 5

Of course! My only son wanted to move across the world using money we did not have.
He stole from our emergency funds and abandoned us. He left us to starve. Our performances
only profited so much, but he did not understand it at the time.
You sound like you forgive him.
I do. Theres no use in holding grudges when Karma comes around. He smiled. And
Lava laughed.
Is that how you forgave your father? Lava asked.
No, I said. I listened to his story and he explained to me why he left. When I
understood him, I was able to forgive him.
I guess that makes sense, he smiled looking down at the penny, or maybe just one
cent.
We talked a little longer and parted ways. I gave them my penny and they gave me their
two cents. For a while, I wondered if they continued to only forgive Grandfather because of
Karma, but a few weeks later, Steven called me and asked me to use the name Shakya. When I
asked him why, he said, A couple of old strangers gave me their two cents worth on my life. I
figured it was time to accept it.