The poem "Louse and the Mosquito" by Vikram Seth tells the story of two blood-sucking creatures, a louse and a mosquito, who live in a king's bed and feed on his blood. The louse and her family have been living in the bed for three decades and have made it their ancestral house. They enjoy their peaceful lives, feeding on the king's blood each night without causing any harm or pain.
One day, a mosquito flies into the bed and is enamoured by its luxurious surroundings. The louse tries to shoo him away, but the mosquito pleads to be allowed to stay for just one night. Eventually, the louse agrees but warns the mosquito not to bite the king, as it may cause him pain and loss of sleep and may stain the bed.
The mosquito agrees, but as soon as the king falls asleep, he can't resist biting him. The louse tries to stop him, but it's too late, and the king wakes up screaming in pain. The mosquito escapes unnoticed, but the king's guards catch and kill the louse and her entire family.
The poem is a satirical take on human behaviour and politics, highlighting how greed and selfishness can lead to one's downfall. The louse and mosquito represent people who live off the wealth of others, and the king represents those in power who are oblivious to the suffering of those around them. The poem shows how even the smallest creatures can have an impact on the lives of those in power and how one's actions can have consequences for others.