Violet Vase

The phone rang. Rinkoo, the monkey, picked up the phone promptly.

“Rinko, I have lost my violet vase,” said the rabbit. Rinkoo could feel that the rabbit was badly upset.

“Relax, just search for it carefully. You may have forgotten where you had kept it.”

“No, I haven’t misplaced it. It has been stolen. You know, yesterday I hosted a dinner party. Many guests had attended. Some workers had also come to help the arrangements. Someone must have stolen it.”

“Is it very expensive?”

“No, it is not expensive. But I love that flower vase. I must have it back. Please find it for me.”

“Send me a list of all those who were present in your house yesterday. And a picture of the vase.”

The rabbit sent him the list.

Rinkoo looked at the list and mumbled, “They could be the culprits. But how do I catch them? Yes, I think I know. They are very greedy fellows. Yes, that’s it; greed is the  key.”

Next day an advertisement appeared in all local newspapers along with a picture of the violet vase.

‘I am a collector of rare historical items. I am looking for a Violet Vase from the Mughal era. I am willing to pay a generous price for this valuable item. Please contact me on 8686868686. The identity of the seller will be kept confidential. All payment will be made in cash.’

Two days later Rinkoo received a call from an unknown number.

“I know a person who has the item you want to buy. How much are you willing to pay?”

Rinkoo smiled. He knew that the thieves had taken the bait.

“If the vase is in a good condition, I would pay five lakhs. But if there is any scratch on it, it is of no use to me.”

“No, no. It is in a very good condition. But I think owner would not be willing to sell it for less than ten lakhs.”

“That’s more than a generous amount. Let me think it over. Call me after one hour.”

Exactly after one hour Rinkoo received a call from the thief. Rinkoo agreed to buy the vase.

“Where should we meet?” Rinkoo asked.

“I have to leave by a train at one. Why don’t you come over to the railways station? We can conclude our business and then I can board my train.”

Rinkoo agreed, “But how will I recognise you?”

The caller fell silent. Rinkoo suggested, “I will wear a violet hat. You also come wearing a violet hat.”

“That’s very clever of you. I agree,” said the caller.

At the railway station, Rinkoo came wearing a violet hat. But he was not alone. The rabbit and a police officer were with him. But the two were hiding behind a pillar.

Rinkoo looked around. There was no one there wearing a violet hat. But then Rinkoo saw the wolf entering the railway station, wearing a violet hat.  The jackal was behind the wolf. Rinkoo approached them.

“I am the collector of rare items. Can I see my item? I have an expert with me who will check and verify if it is a Mughal-era vase.”

The wolf opened a box and gave him the violet vase. The rabbit appeared from behind the pillar and took charge of the vase. He examined it and said, “Yes, this my vase.”

Suddenly, the police officer came forward and handcuffed the wolf.

“What does this mean? Why are you handcuffing me?” Wolf growled.

“This means that you are a thief and this is a stolen item,” said the police officer.

“No, I am not a thief. I didn’t steal it. Jackal stole it…”

“But you are his partner-in-crime,” said Rinkoo. At that moment the jackal tried to run away but the police officer caught him.

The rabbit was very happy getting back his violet vase.

“You should have known that it is not a very expensive vase,” Rinkoo said to the thieves. “Why would anyone pay you ten lakhs for such an ordinary vase? It was a trap and you fell for it,” said Rinkoo.

The wolf and the jackal knew that they had been outwitted by the monkey. But now, they could only rue their fate.

********

 

A post for A to Z challenge

Today’s letter V

You may like to read my earlier post here Umbrella.