The last two years have been very difficult for this small three-member family in a remote village of Assam. Prabha has seen her parents toiling hard in their fields to grow little amount of rice and vegetables barely sufficient for their family. To earn money to fulfill her education, her father Bhuban who has made a name for his skills would make clay pitchers and other utensils. Whenever there was a social gathering, he would get orders to make assortments of such items for the villagers. However, things changed altogether, when covid-19 virus struck the area and her mother was infected. She has recovered, not fully yet, and this has been a cause of great concern for the family. Social gatherings and celebrations have come to a halt because of the multiple lockdowns, as a fallout of which Bhuban’s prized potter’s wheel have not turned much.
After a long wait, things have now started becoming normal; they have heard through the radio that governments across the world have announced their victories over the virus. Prabha had never imagined that an unseen organism could wreak such massive havoc, shattering lives and livelihoods. At trying times, Bhuban would remind her “God would reward them at the right time; and they need to be patient”. The villagers had prayed hard to appease the Gods. She however knew that an angry God does not cause this, but believed that it was all due to our own human follies. “We better learn fast and act, rather than blame an angry God.”
Sun rose bright in the clear sky today. There is a whiff of happiness in the air. Bhuban has prepared for this day by making hundreds of pitchers of various sizes. Prabha with her father has brought a cartload to the nearby weekly market, which has opened after a long time. These pitchers will help the villagers fetch fresh water from distant ponds and lakes to quench their thirsts in this hot summer. This is a new beginning to her life again as she plans to buy books of her choice which will take her to distant places and introduce her to people outside her village. With much anticipation, she hopes to find happiness again.
Moral- Bad times is never permanent but a positive attitude in a depressing time can make a big difference.