All that Glitters is not Gold

Matto pressed his face close to the plate glass window of one of the well known shoe stores of the city and stared longingly at the pair of brown brogues which rested so invitingly, very close to him but inside the window for public display. It was not the first time that Matto had done this. Everyday for the last week or so, on his way to work and back home, he would stop by this shoe store, stare wistfully at this same pair of shoes with a sale price written on a slip tagged to it.

Matto was an employee in the lower rung services of the Municipal Corporation. He swept pavements and removed litter from the streets. His monthly allowance was barely enough to make both ends meet. So in his wildest dreams he could not even think of affording the luxury of a costly pair of shoes. It, however gave him a feeling of immense satisfaction just to feast his eyes on the elegant pair of shoes, its perfect symmetry and the shimmering grace of this one particular pair.

Matto was in love. He was hopelessly in love with the beautiful pair of brown shoes. He could not remember being so irrestibly drawn to anything else in life. As he now stood before the display window after having completed his day’s chores, he felt concerned and alarmed. He saw a customer come up to the shop window and nod approvingly at the same pair of shoes with which Matto was completely obsessed with. 

Matto felt a stab of pain in his heart. It was as if someone very near and dear to him was being forcefully taken away and yet he could do nothing. To get a better view of the pair, he shifted his position and cupped his hands, round his face against the window-pane for a better view. The shop was brilliantly lit with neon light. He could easily spot the customer at the trial seat and the salesman slipping the shoes on. He fervently hoped that the customer would complain that they did not fit well and thus, the pair would be back on the shop window. But to his dismay, the customer did find it fitting and purchased the pair.

The customer picked the cardboard box with the shoes in it and came out of the shop. He saw Matto lounging at the entrance. Taking him to be the delivery-man, he told him to carry the package for him and follow him. Matto obeyed him and silently walked behind him. Within a few minutes they reached the house where the customer lived. The man steeped inside since he could not find any change in his pocket to pay Matto, leaving him standing on the doorway.

Matto was simple, honest and had never been doubted fir his integrity. But at this moment a wild thumping started in his heart. The idea that he should exploit the absence of the stranger took place in his heart. He grabbed the box and took to his heels.

It took him a panicky hour to get to the dilapidated building where he lived. He was drenched in perspiration as he ran five flights of stairs to reach his quarters. Not only did he shut the door behind him, but also he bolted and latched it. His heart beat rapidly as he tore off the outer wrappings of the box. He flung open the lid. There lay in the box, the elegant pair of brown shoes he so longingly stared at. The treasure was his now.

Carefully and tenderly, he took out the shoes and gazed at them in awe, caressing the glistening brown leather. His eyes brimmed with tears of unexpected joy. After washing his feet thoroughly and soaking them dry hr tried on the pair. They were not quite a good fit. But it was nothing, he thought. A little paper packing at the heels did the trick and then he walked around the room.

Now a new thought struck Matto. Wearing those shoes in his role as a sweeper with torn clothes would arouse suspicion of his neighbours and pedestrians alike. He thought of procuring decent clothes that would go along with his shoes. Finding a suitable opportunity, he stole an impeccable western outfit from a draper. In his conscience, he knew that he had acted like a common thief but that thought was buried under the surging moment of happiness.

Never in his life had Matto experienced such exultation, such new emotions and thrills as when dressed in his new attire with the shoulders squared and head held high, as he walked with measured gait amidst the carefree crowds taking their evening stroll. 

To his surprise and joy, he found people coming in his direction made way for him as he tried to cut his way through the crowd. They even turned and glanced at him. Matto went to a restaurant and ordered a cup of coffee. He had taken all his savings with him. It was while at the middle of the coffee that he noticed a policeman lounging outside the fencing separating the restaurant from the street. The officer of the law casually happened to glance at Matto’s direction. Matto was seized with panic. Without further ado, he left the money at the table and beat a hasty retreat. He darted into the street when the policeman’s back was turned and therefore escape was easy. His heart was beating frantically. His mind was in a whirl. He saw other policemen about. He dodged them, the crowds, the traffic. In fact it seemed to him that the streets were filled with police personnel who were there to apprehend him. Gone were all the joys and dreams, hopes and thrills. He was haunted by the fearsome specter of his guilt and the enormity of his crime. Terror now gripped him and clawed on his senses. 

It was two o’ clock in the morning when Matto had that nightmare. He woke up screaming and begged for mercy. It was horrifying. He was handcuffed and now before the judge who sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment.

At dawn, he approached the house where he had stolen the suit. From his canvas bag in which he carried the suit, he pulled it out and quickly shoved it back through an open window. An hour later, in another part of the city, he was at the place from where he had stolen the shoes. He quietly left the package at the doorstep. Then with deliberation, he pressed the door-bell thrice and dashed away. No sooner did he enter the adjacent street than he heaved a sigh of relief. He had redeemed himself.

Once again Matto was sweeping the pavements but he was a happy man now with a clear conscience. There was peace and tranquility inside him now. The brown brogues or the western outfit did not matter to him much now. He understood that he was disillusioned, which disturbed his mental peace.

So for him at least:

Not all that tempts your wandering eyes and heedless heart is lawful prize

Nor all that glitters gold……….