I once read a novel by R.K. Narayan, The Guide. The main character Raju lead his life by taking people on tours in India showing them sites that they should visit or food they should try. He often talked to the tourists and became acquainted with them initially and use their information he found about their personality to decide what sites would attract them. By doing this he built such a strong relationship with people. His job took him many places and he met many people, including one that would cause him to choose a different part in life.
Raju became emotionally involved with another man's wife. He believed her husband was ill treating her. They began to see each other secretly. Eventually they got caught and they separated. But love as we know is like a boomerang, when thrown away, it some how finds a way back into our arms. Sometimes it is for the best to let sleeping dogs sleep forever. This time their love separated them for good. He was placed in prison for fordging the woman's signature.
After serving a two years prison sentence, he left the village he knew as home. His new journey began in a new demographic location. He took refuge in an old abandon temple. He was emotionally unsure about himself. He met a nearby villager name Villan, who would change his life forever. Villan thought he was a 'holy man' sent by the Gods. He spread the news to the other villagers that a holy man is by the temple. The villagers came to see him and sought him out regularly for advice. Raju accepted the idea behind the holy man as he got food in exchanged. He became comfortable in his role, so much so that he grew a beard, lapped his feet and used quotes from the bible. It was easy for him to assume this role as he was comfortable talking with people because of his past tour guide experience. He began to feel good about himself once more.
Raju, the holy man was called upon desperately when a massive drought plagued the villagers. The villagers believed Raju could save them. Raju being very bewildered began to rethink 'his holy man' act. He first began to protest but then he humbly accepted the task. So he began fasting and praying for a very long time. Some villagers began to loose their faith in him. But as they did, the rain came. The 'holy man,' saw the rain over the hills but he was to weak to stand up. The villagers held him up, and he spoke in a low voice, " the rain is over the hills, I can feel it."
