[Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India was born on November 14, 1889. His birthday continues to be celebrated in India as Children's Day.
But for the majority of the nearly 300 million children in India, the day is practically devoid of meaning.]
She is nine. The lamb is her pet, her friend. She plays with it, cuddles it, and sometimes even goes off to sleep hugging it.
Her elder sister looks after the goats. She feeds them, milks them, cleans their shed and ensures the lambs get enough milk.
The sister is getting married in spring. She will then inherit the responsibility of looking after the goats.
The lamb will cease to be her friend. It will become her livelihood; the creature that stands between her family and poverty.
She is just a child. But her childhood will soon be snatched away.
_____
A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
12 comments:
Rayna - What a very powerful story! You are right that too many children are robbed of their childhood because of the circumstances of their lives. Children are the most precious and important resource of any society, and when that is forgotten, the result can be disastrous.
So sad. I think most of us do a lot to shield our children for as long as we can from some of the harsh realities out there...and then in so many places, small children experience the harshness constantly.
Well, I'm glad that you remembered the day. What a tribute for the young people of your country.
CD
That is sad - she'll grow up way too fast.
She'll miss her childhood entirely.
That is so sad-such a beautiful picture. It breaks your heart.
This one really gives a spoilt Scandinavian a lot to think about.
Thank you.
It's sad when childhood is snatched away like that.
I loved your 50 words to kill your victim story over at Margot's. :)
This is a touching post and photo.
Its a pity that even after 62 yrs, so many kids don't even get 3 square meals forget about education. We all do our little bit to help but Its like a Goliath that never gets defeated...
your posts are always so insightful and ... grr! Frustrating. :D but good stuff~ <3
@ Margot- so true. But for about 70% of Indian children, there is no childhood. At least not childhood as we know it.
@ Elizabeth- and when you see a kid who is so 'old' but is in fact younger than your kids, you start wondering.
@ Clarissa- can never get away from children- mine or other people's- not that I want to.
@ Diane- it is so sad, isn't it?
@ Alex- totally
@ Oddyoddyo13- her eyes actually haunt me
@ Dorte- why just a spoilt Scandinavian. Even this spoilt Indian
@ Laura- thank you.
@ KarenG- thank you.
@ Songsnwords- but you know something, every little bit helps. After all, even the smallest something is something.
@ Leigh- life is frustrating, isn't iot?
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