New Dress for Durga Puja

Shakib is sitting sad in his room. He refuses his daily glass of milk. He doesn’t want to do anything. Durga Puja vacation has just started. The school, before its closing, had a small cultural programme yesterday. Shakib and his best friend Malati got a wonderful opportunity this time. They acted in a play directed by their geography teacher Jharna Didi. The story of the play was extracted from the Ramayana – Hanuman in Lanka. Shakib was given the role of Lord Hanuman, and Malati became Sita. Hanuman jumped across the massive ocean to reach Lanka where Sita was taken forcefully by the demon king Ravana. He made a thorough search for Sita. But Ravana kept her in such a place where no one could find her easily. After moving from house to house, palace to palace, Hanuman came to a garden and rested on a treetop. Suddenly, his glance fell on a beautiful lady weeping under the tree. Hanuman was intelligent. He guessed she could have been the princess he was looking for. He came down to her and introduced himself. Sita understood that Hanuman had been sent by her beloved husband Lord Rama. She requested him to tell Rama that he should come quickly to rescue her. Now that his mission was successful, Hanuman was extremely happy. He bowed to Sita and left the garden. On the way back, he made a trick of burning the entire city of Lanka. 

Shakib and Malati were praised for their outstanding acting. Shakib amused the audience with his swift jumps to cross the ocean and to put the city on fire. His diction was clear and smart. He never forgot any of his dialogues. Malati also expressed herself very well. Her acting was so convincing that people in the audience felt pity for Sita.

After the play, the actors were called on the stage and applauded for their acting. The principal lovingly mentioned their names, “Grade 3 students Shakib and Malati have made us proud.” Jharna Didi told them personally, “I will give you both a treat of chocolate ice-cream. Come to my house any day during the holidays.” Shakib never heard so much of appreciation before. He was an average student in Grade 3, but it was Jharna Didi who discovered his interest in acting. He was glad. 

When they were removing make-up in the green room, Shakib asked Malati, “Would you come to the playground tomorrow in the morning? The school is off for a month. We will play hide-and-seek.” Malati was rubbing her face with a cotton ball. She replied, “No, I won't be able to come tomorrow. My father will take me to the city to buy new clothes for the Puja. Have you bought yours?” Shakib knew he wouldn't ask his parents for a new dress. His father’s grocery wasn’t running well, and they were on a tight budget. He said, “I don't need anything new. I have some nice shirts which I will wear during the Puja.” Malati was curious, “Won't you wear Kurta which boys normally wear in festivals?” Shakib lowered his face and answered, “My Kurtas have been faded. Those can’t be worn on the days of Puja.” 

Malati’s house is not far from Shakib’s. Her father Tunu Biswas has a store of building materials in the main market. Shakib’s father Badru Shekh is a grocer. Both Tunu and Badru are businessmen, but Tunu has been doing it well. Hence, his family is called rich in the village. Badru’s grocery has lost its quality. He doesn’t have enough money to invest in the shop. Hence, his customers are leaving him. Shakib just noticed from his window that Malati was sitting behind her father in the motorbike and they were moving fast. He knew where they were going to. How can he be happy when he has no hope for a new dress? 

Two days are gone. Durga Puja starts on the sixth day of full moon. The villagers organize a Puja in the playground. This is funded by every family in the village. There is a festive mood felt everywhere. Shakib gets up early, but he doesn’t intend to go out. He will be embarrassed if he meets other boys clad in new Kurta and Pajama. He can’t join them in his old shirt and pant. His mother enters the room and asks, “Children are going to the Puja pandal. The face of Goddess Durga will be opened today. Don’t you want to visit the pandal?" Shakib doesn’t reply. He looks out of the window to hide his tears. His friends Farooq and Latif are playing with a toy gun. He hears the sound of pulling a trigger, GRRR......... GRRR....... All these seem dull to him. As soon as his mother returns to the kitchen, Shakib lies on the bed again. But he can’t close his eyes and sleep.

Someone opens the iron-gate outside. His father has gone to buy vegetables. This must be one of his friends who has come to call him. Shakib steps out to shut the door. He won’t meet anyone. But he spots Malati standing on the stairs to his house. She is wearing a red frock with flowery design. She grins at him. “Hello Shakib, good morning. It’s a bright Puja Day. See, I have a small gift for you.” She hands him a white packet with something soft inside. “What’s that?” Shakib asks her. Malati replies shyly, “This is something which you may like. I must go to the Puja pandal now. There is a drawing competition on village scenery. See you there.” Malati opens the iron-gate again and runs fast. Shakib comes back to his room and tears off the white packet. What a surprise it is! He finds a nice yellow Kurta and a white Pajama. Not only that, there is a letter folded inside. He starts reading it. Malati has written, “This is for a naughty Hanuman who is my best friend. I can’t spend my Puja days without him.” Shakib beams with joy. He knows what he will do now.