The flame of courage - Short Story

Shankari sat on the mat engrossed in her own thoughts. Her eyes danced with delight as she dreamt of a better life. She could almost feel her father hug her. She almost saw love in her father's face. The approaching darkness pulled her back into harsh reality. She went to light the kerosene lamp in the corner of the room. As she lit it, dim light spread through the room. The blazing flame as she examined her work reminded her of her mother's undying love for her.

She hardly noticed her mother rush inside the room, her hair untidy from running. Dust was all over her plain, cotton saree. Her heavy breath interrupted her speech. Her face sweating of heat was filled with anxiety. "Father is drunk!" she cried and she stopped to catch her breath. Then continued, "Quick, hide behind the trunk before Father comes." Shankari did as she was told and waited upon her father's arrival.

Her head was filled with silent prayer. Her teeth were grinding harder as the door cracked open. Her prayer intensified as father's drunken speech echoed through the house above the howling of the wolves and the hooting owls. His speech sent shivers down Shankari's back. Violent sounds passed through the air as mother screamed in pain. Then she heard father hit the kerosene lamp. It wobbled but to mother's and Shankari's relief it straightened itself. The flame went out and the only light came from the kitchen stove which was in an attached hut to the one room house.

Suddenly she lost all self control of herself. For a moment all her fear turned into unexpected courage. Her mind left no room for any doubts.

By instinct she moved from her hiding place. "You can't beat Mother like this! Till you cool down you must leave the house!" Shankari could not believe these words came from her very own mouth. Her stunned drunken father, dumbstruck by her powerful words stared at her in awe. Then he dashed out of the house like a beaten dog. For a moment an uncomfortable silence settled in the room.

Breaking the silence Shankari's mother limped towards her. She wrapped her arms around her daughter. Shankari looked at her mother's bruised arms. Her mother was reciting prayers of thanksgiving as tears rolled down her cheeks like rain. An overwhelming feeling of pride and a pang of deep sadness swelled within her mother's heart.