At five thirty in the evening the next day, Bangshalochan prepared for his evening walk and carefully checked his surroundings once to see if anyone was paying attention to him. The wife and children were upstairs. The servants were busy with their work in the andar mahal. Chukandar Singh was in his room kneading atta. Lambakarna was tied up near the stables and frisking around as much as he could within the locus of the rope.  Bangshalochan took the rope in his hand and stole out of the house with the goat.

He avoided the main road and went through alleyways just in case he came across any acquaintances. On the way he bought a packet of jalebis and put them in his pocket. Eventually he left his locality behind and reached the desolate canal-side.

Today he will sacrifice Lambakarna with his own hands, he will leave him where he found him – come what may. Reaching the old spot, Bangshalochan took out the packet of jalebis and gave them to the goat to eat. Taking out a scrap of paper from his pocket, he wrote a note – I had found this goat near the Beleghata canal. Being unable to look after him, I am releasing him at the same spot again. In the name of Allah, Kali and Jesus – may no one harm him.

Having written the note, Bangshalochan folded it and put it inside a small tin box which he tied securely around the goat’s neck. Then Bangshalochan gently patted the goat one last time and came away with soft feet. Lambakarna was busy eating.

Even when he was far away, Bangshalochan kept turning back repeatedly to look at the goat. Lambakarna, having finished his food, was looking around himself. If he spots Bangshalochan, he will immediately follow him. Bangshalochan stepped up his pace.

No more – he was short of breath. Bangshalochan sat down under a tamarind tree by the side of the road. Lambakarna could no longer be seen. He was finally redeemed – any further delay would have created an impossible impasse. He had been harassed enough trying to give shelter to this rascal of a Krishna’s creature. His wife was agonisingly upset with him, his friends and family couldn’t wait to eat the animal, how long could Bangshalochan manage by himself? Alas, Satya Yug, when King Shibi had nearly given his life for a dove seeking sanctuary – the queen’s fury, courtiers’ impertinence – none of this had to be borne by him.