An explanation

Humorous stories have always been my favourite. I used to think that the stories and snippets that I read from so many sources of Bengali stalwarts would also be appreciated by non Bengali speakers if they could be translated into English.

Retired life coupled with the internet provided me with the opportunity I was looking for.

In his short stories and practically one page anecdotes, Tarapada Roy profusely apologises for his liberal borrowings from others. Needlesss to say, I am doing the same thing and accordingly ask you, my erudite reader, to forgive me if you find a repetition in any story or an uncommon resemblance to anything familiar, which you have read earlier.

My sources are Parashuram, Shibram, Narayan Gangopadhyay and Tarapada Roy.

All set? One, two, three go!

  

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There was a nursing home which had just opened for the day. An elderly gentleman approached the reception and asked, "How's the patient in bed 103 doing?"

The clerk went through the records and said, " Hmm... Temperature normal, bp normal, sugar is within control, stool and urine results are okay. He will be discharged tomorrow."

The gentleman replied, "Thank you", and started walking away. The lady was a little surprised and asked, "Who are you? Are you a relative?" 
" No", replied the gentleman.

"Are you a friend?" 
"No, I am not a friend."

"Are you a neighbour?" 
"No, I am not a neighbour."

"Well then, WHO are you?"

"I am the patient. You see whoever I am asking replies that I am doing fine. The doctors say I am fine. The nurses say I am doing fine. My relatives say I am doing fine. My friends say I am doing fine. My neighbours say I am doing fine. That's why I wanted to find out the truth myself."