Name of the Writer –
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas ( K.A. Ahmad )
SUMMARY
Before school
Bholi is the youngest daughter of Numberdar Ramlal, whose real name was sulekha. Ramlal had seven children- three sons and four daughters. Bholi was the youngest of all daughters. A simpleton who was born fair and pretty but suffered a head injury at ten months old. At the age of two, she was struck with smallpox and left with disfiguring black pockmarks all over her body, saving only her eyes. Bholi couldn’t speak until she was five, and when she finally did, she stammered.
Her parents were also worried about her marriage. One day, Tehsildar Sahib came to perform the opening ceremony of a primary school opened in the village. He asked Ramlal to send her daughter to school. Ramlal and his wife decided to take Bholi to school, but he was reminded of the small cow that was taken away and never returned. Bholi had never received new clothes; instead, she was given hand-me-downs from her sisters that were never washed or mended.
On her first day of school, Bholi was bathed, given clean clothes, and had oil rubbed into her matted hair. She believed that school was a place better than her home.
Bholi’s story highlights the challenges faced by those who are marginalized and discriminated against. Her disfigurement and speech impediment caused her to be overlooked and neglected by her family and community. However, the opportunity to attend school gave Bholi a chance to break free from her circumstances and gain a sense of self-worth.
At school
She assumed that it was a better place than her own home. When she reached school, In a classroom filled with children, she was elated to see girls of her age around. She wanted to make friends but dared not to open her mouth due to stammering. However, when the class teacher smilingly asked her name, she stammered in front of the entire class, and all the girls started laughing at her. a poor girl looked at the teacher with tearful eyes. The teacher spoke to her in a soft and soothing voice, something she had never experienced before. The kind gesture touched the girl’s heart.
The teacher patted her affectionately and encouraged her to overcome her fear of speaking. She gave her a book filled with colorful pictures of animals and birds. The teacher promised that within a month, the girl would be able to read the book, and no one would be able to laugh at her. People would listen to her with respect, and she would be able to speak without stammering.
Bholi felt as if a new hope and a new life had blossomed within her. Her heart was filled with joy, and she felt like all the bells in the village temple were ringing, and the trees in front of the school had blossomed into big red flowers.
Bholi’s life had completely changed since the day she entered that classroom. The teacher’s encouragement had given her the confidence to overcome her obstacles and succeed in life.
Marriage Day
Bhishamber Nath came to Bholi’s village with a big group of friends and relatives for a wedding. Bholi’s father, Ramlal, was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendor. However, Bholi’s elder sisters were envious of her luck.
Bishamber Nath refused to marry Bholi due to her pockmarks, and demanded a large sum of money instead. Ramlal placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet and begged him to take two thousand rupees, but Bishamber demanded five thousand or he would leave with Bholi. Tearfully, Ramlal counted out the notes, and Bishamber wore a triumphant smile on his greedy face.
But to everyone’s surprise, a changed Bholi appeared, confident and bold. She refused to marry Bishamber and told her family that they had only seen her as a “dumb driven cow” until now. Bholi even told her aunt that she would serve her parents in their old age and teach at the same school where she had learned so much.
Bholi’s courage and determination showed that she was not just a stammering fool, but someone with a bright future ahead. The teacher, who had encouraged Bholi in her studies, agreed that she would be a great teacher herself one day.
Years passed
As time passed, the village transformed into a small town and the primary school grew into a high school. Bholi received a marriage proposal from a well-settled, but lame, old man. At the wedding, the groom refused to marry her due to her disfigured appearance and lack of dowry, despite Ramlal managing to arrange the money. Bholi, who had gained confidence and boldness over the years, refused to marry such a greedy person and surprised everyone by speaking without stammering. She promised to serve her parents in their old age and teach in the same school where she had learned so much.
CONCLUSION
Bholi’s story highlights the challenges faced by those who are marginalized and discriminated against. Her disfigurement and speech impediment caused her to be overlooked and neglected by her family and community. However, the opportunity to attend school gave Bholi a chance to break free from her circumstances and gain a sense of self-worth. Bholi’s story illustrates the power of kindness and encouragement. With a little support, anyone can overcome their challenges and succeed in life. The teacher’s belief in Bholi gave her the strength to believe in herself and achieve her dreams.
Bholi’s story teaches us that we should never underestimate anyone and that every person has the potential to achieve great things.
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