Sometimes in life some things happen in an amazing manner and you understand its impact later in life. Such is this story which I am going to tell you. Where shall I start?

Well the beginning would be the most logical thing to do but am never governed by logic .I do whatever I feel like and do it in my own way.

Now first of all let me introduce myself. I am a thief yes a THIEF. I can see all of you becoming a little chary. But I am very happy to be that. Though I am into blacklisted profession I enjoy my work

And I am quite an accomplished thief.

A very intelligent thief, in fact brilliant and an authority in this field. My friends admire and envy me. I can steal anything from under your nose in a split of a second and you would never come to know who did it. The policemen are also not able to find out.

How did I become a thief? Well I was not born one that is my father was not a thief nor my grandfather.

This vocation chose me in the sense it found me on its own.

I must have been ten years old when I found out I could easily open locks without the keys. Then over the years I found out that I could break locks without breaking open glass cabinets and metal cabinets with ease. I had made my own tools.

When I was about nineteen years of age, I got a big chance. I was successful in stealing some antique pieces from a museum. This sealed my fate. I became a specialist respected and admired in my field.

So when someone contacted me on this mission of stealing the antique silver mermaid from that famous museum near the sea I was not surprised.

Now let me tell you about this mermaid.

The mermaid has a legend associated with her. She was supposed to visit the sea in spring and people mostly saw her sitting on a big Sea shell which looked like a rock. She came out on full moon night. Anyone who saw this sight was blessed they said.

The mermaid was a beautiful creature and there were many stories about her.

This was told as stories to children.

This antique piece was a mermaid and the sea shell made in silver. This was a exquisite example of beauty in silver. The mermaid had a tiara on her head with precious stones. It was a very expensive piece.

Her smile her, grace, her aura was debated upon. She was there in paintings, in replicas .

The museum which housed this was a very famous one. I had got a fantastic offer to steal it.

A thief that I was I became very excited at the thought. It gave me a high.

I started planning the whole thing. I had to be very careful.

I studied the museum, the entry points, the exit points, the timings, the security

Then I measured the replica of the mermaid which I had been given This was to be placed and the original to be stolen

The replica was about seven inches in height and six inches in length.

I had decided to wear my brown overcoat which had a secret pocket inside.

So I went to the place with my secret tools for breaking glass and metals

I booked myself in a hotel which was near the museum. For two days I roamed to get the feel of the place. I Saw the people and observed them. I tried to feel the pulse of the place.

Then I visited the museum to get the feel of the place. I found out that the place was closed in the afternoon for about an hour.

This would be my chance.

I made my plan. I went that day and reached the place when the last batch would go inside.

I was in my brown coat and my hat. I looked a normal tourist.

Everyone went inside.

People would stand in front of the mermaid to admire.

I stood in front and made my calculations.

The time was getting nearer.

As the bell rang for the time to be over, I quickly slipped under the big cabinet which I had planned.

The museum became empty. They checked it as I sat still.

They went way. Now slowly I got out. This was my time now. I looked at the glass cabinet in which the mermaid was placed.

With my special tools I could easily get it out. I placed the replica exactly as the original had been. I took the original in hand and looked at it.

Its beauty enthralled me. I carefully wrapped it and hid it in my coat pocket. The museum would open in another ten minutes.

I hid myself again and waited. Soon the first batch entered I slipped back and became one of the crowd.

I went through the round with others and finally came towards the exit.

Ten steps and I would be out successful in my mission.

Ten steps

Nine steps

Eight steps

Six………………..

Five …………………………

Four………………………………………

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“Hey! you Mr. can you just wait for a minute.”

I turned round.

Yes, that policeman was calling me

“Yes Sir.” I said

“Can you just wait.”

Soon everyone went out

The guards and police were there.

They took me into custody.

As I went with them, I asked the guard

“How did you know?”

‘Well ……..

It was raining and everyone’s shoes had mud on it only yours seemed freshly polished without a trace of wetness.”

Yes I had never thought of that.

Yes it had been a sunny day when I entered the museum.

The rain and mud gave me away.

I served my term in the prison.

And this changed my belief.

I found out that there are others more intelligent than myself.

I am in my eighties now and still have great regard for that policeman