The war drums boomed across the field. Bhai Kanhaiya stopped in his tracks. He saw wounded soldiers lying on both sides of the road.
He lifted his brass pot and walked toward the first group. He poured water into a cracked cup and held it to a soldier in blue. The soldier drank slowly. His lips cracked open in a small smile.
Bhai Kanhaiya turned and walked toward the other group. He poured water into the same cracked cup for a soldier in orange. The soldier took it with shaking hands. A little bird landed nearby and chirped.
A commander stormed forward, face red, pointing at Bhai Kanhaiya. 'You help both sides?!' he shouted.
Bhai Kanhaiya looked up calmly. He held out the empty brass pot. 'They are all hurt,' he said. 'They are all thirsty.'
The commander opened his mouth — then stopped. He looked at the two soldiers drinking together. His shoulders dropped. He turned and walked away.
Bhai Kanhaiya kept walking from tent to tent, the brass pot in his hand. He poured water for every soldier who needed it.
The war sounds grew fainter behind him. The little bird hopped alongside his feet.
One soldier reached out a hand. Bhai Kanhaiya knelt and filled his cracked cup.
Another soldier called out from further away. Bhai Kanhaiya walked over and did the same.
The little bird followed him from tent to tent, watching with bright eyes.
Bhai Kanhaiya kept walking. The war had gone quiet at last.
