Translated from the Original Hindi by
Kanwar Dinesh Singh
“Mother, be careful; there is a pit!”
“Now my eyesight is getting worse; I can’t see it.”
“I am with you, Mother; come on, hold my hand. There’s light in the next street.”
After crossing the main road, they both caught the narrow alley.
“This way?”
“Yes, Mother, it’s a little dark, but the way is short. We’ll reach it soon. It’s already late, isn’t it?”
A hoarse voice was heard, “Where did you both go during business hours?”
“We went to the temple; it’s Tuesday today.” This was the mother’s voice.
“How many times I have told you—don’t take Chameli anywhere at the time of business.” That hoarse voice had slowed down a bit—”Chameli, go, get ready,” the daughter was told.
“It is dark on the way…Holding my daughter’s hand, I cross the road safely; that’s why I took her along…” Mother was still refuting. “She’s young; she has a new vision.”
“Once, you were young; your eyes were sharp. Then why didn’t you hold my hand and cross this darkness, Mother?” The voice of Chameli, changing her clothes in the room, could not reach anyone’s ears.
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Dr. Kanwar Dinesh Singh<Poet, Storyteller, Translator (English/Hindi)<Associate Professor of English & Editor: Hyphen
#3, Cecil Quarters, Chaura Maidan, Shimla: 171004 HP India
