4 What can he teach me, that Guru ji can't?

In a week since the British had arrived, there had been an unforeseen change in Devdutt's study plans. Devdutt, being the only child to the King and Queen, was almost never allowed to set foot outside the palace walls. And when he did, he was to be led by soldiers and followed by a handful of the King's most loyal servants. This entourage was ordered to encircle him like a moving fortress and was meant to protect him against enemies of all sizes, shapes and species. "Make sure you keep out everything, even a bee or fly, for that matter," the King had decreed.

There had been only two prior occasions in Devdutt's 14 years of life when he had been evacuated from the palace to go on a "surprise trip" as the King had put it. The first time was when he was just 5 years of age and had been lured outside the prayer room and nearly kidnapped by a conniving witch doctor. The second time was when his mother, the Queen, had taken severely ill.

Devdutt had not anticipated that he would be asked to learn a foreign language, and the White man's tongue, at that. His education was of utmost importance and his day was always meticulously planned by his tutor, the royal priest, who was also the King's chief advisor and spiritual guide - Rajguru Govardhan ji. And the plan for that day had been to visit the lungs of the Palace - the east wing, that housed a large botanical garden.

Guru ji had wanted to revive the east wing since before the royal wedding, but the King hadn't considered it necessary. When the prince was born, Guru ji had got a great excuse to put his plan into action and had received the King's unwavering support. And so, three days after Devdutt's birth, Guru ji had conducted a small ceremonial prayer before groundbreaking and had quickly enlisted a staff of ten skilled gardeners to dig up an area that was roughly a kilometer squared in dimension. Guru ji had envisioned a small paradise for the Prince and under his observant eyes, the latent powers of the earth had stirred and sprouted, transpiring the wasteland into a mini-forest of sorts. It was Devdutt's favourite place within the walls of the imposing fortress that he called 'home'.

Guru ji had planned to spend the day with him, teaching him about various plants and their medicinal properties. Devdutt had planted a 'Tulsi' - Holy Basil sapling at the entrance of the garden, upon his last visit and was itching to measure its growth. "Tulsi is not just a plant, my child," Dai ma had said as she had helped him wash up for dinner that evening. "She's a goddess who stands in protection of the house. Every home must have a Tulsi plant in their courtyard. She keeps disease and evil-eye at bay."

Devdutt had been excited all morning at the thought of visiting the 'goddess sapling'. He had paced up and down the corridor outside his chamber and had wondered what was keeping Guru ji. After forty minutes of nervously pacing the corridor, he had retired to his room and had tried to calm himself down by focusing on his breath. The technique was only starting to take effect when he'd heard hurried footsteps approaching his chamber.

Devdutt had been watching the door, eagerly waiting for his beloved Guru ji to enter, only to find a servant rushing in to deliver an important message from the King. "My Prince," the servant had exclaimed as he bowed to Devdutt. "The King has summoned you to his chamber right away. Kindly follow me."

Devdutt and the servant had taken swift, short steps and had reached the King's chamber in no time. They had stood outside, panting and trying to catch their breaths. The guard had announced their arrival and the King had called them in momentarily. Devdutt and the servant had walked in to see the British officer and the Englishman, busy in conversation with the King.

"We have a surprise for you," the King had announced with a big smile on his face. "Meet your new teacher, Mr. Allen Anderson," the King had pointed toward the translator, who had smiled and nodded as he rose to his feet. "Mr. Anderson, as you shall address him from now on, will tutor you in the English language and other interesting western subjects. I think it is time that we broaden the scope of your learning, " the King had said with air of pride about his momentous decision.

Devdutt's face had worn a blank expression. He had heard the words coming out of his father's mouth but had not understood the intention behind it. His forehead and palms were beginning to sweat, and his face was flushed, mostly with worry. He had only just begun to catch his breath from having raced across from his chamber to that of his father's, when the King had knocked the wind out of him again.

He had bowed his head and fixed his gaze at his father's feet, as if to show that he was in concurrence with the King's wishes, but his mind was revolting the very idea of learning something, anything, from a foreigner. He had stood there, trying his best to calm his breath as his mind pondered over some crucial questions. Where was Guru ji? Won't he be tutoring me anymore? Will I get to see him again? Why do I have to study with an Englishman? What can he teach me, that Guru ji can't?

_ _ T _ _

Hint: One that gives additional, special, or remedial instruction.