Surprising turn of Events

Suddenly the Sikh started a loud bellowing of laughter. Something must have made him laugh like that. We could not understand as we were still in a shock.
Slowly he stopped his laughter. He looked at us and was stern.
In between smiles he said, “Okay, look at the lot of you. You look like some dirty kittens.”
“What?” one of us asked.
“Your faces. Look! They are black and dirty,” he said.
“Our faces?” another said.
Looking at our hands, we slowly understood. We did not have the opportunity to wash our hands after the encounter with the slimy gooey earthworms. That was why our faces were stained. So that was why the Sikh was laughing so loudly.
After the laughter, his face turned to a more serious expression. We knew that he was still sore over the whole incident of stealing his guavas.
So Ravi with a pleading voice said, “Oh, please let us go.”
Gopal added, “You can have all your fruits. Take them.”
“Yes, we are very sorry,” I said softly.
“Sorry. Do you know that taking things from others without permission is bad and wrong. It’s stealing, do you know that?” he asked.
“Yes.” Someone answered.
“Why did you steal my guavas? Tell me!” he demanded.
With that barrage of questions and his stunning change of expression, we could not answer him.
Somehow, a voice answered. It was Ravi. He said meekly, “We’re sorry but we are thirsty. The fruits were so delicious.”
“Yes, but you should have asked me,” he said.
Gopal siad, “We did not see you and we are afraid.”
“I’m not a tiger so I cannot eat you,” he added. “What if you injure yourself or break your leg or hand climbing up amd down the tree.”
“We’re sorry. You can take these guavas back, please,” Thaila said as he stretched his hands with the fruits.
“No, you can have them but next time do not steal. You can ask me. I shall pluck them for you. I have a long pole for plucking fruits.” He advised.