Challenge: Challenge the series, #1

By sajjad hussain

Shamila a seven-year-old girl who lived in the village of Pakistan whose parents were poor farmers.

They followed traditions and customs according to the Landlord of the village. Shamila always thought following the traditional way of life and customs set by the landlord was the wrong way. She was dreaming of a different life rather than being a sheepherder. She was always in trouble with her father and he thought she would never amount to anything, and rather she create troubles for him with the landlord, and he would never recover from any situations.

Will Shamila ever live her dream or create problems for her father with the Landlord or the consequence death or loss?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sajjad Hussain
• Release date: Sep 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386376903

Book preview

Chapter 1

Shamila in her soul had a yearning, and she knew there was more to life than she found in the present circumstances.

She lived in a village in Pakistan surrounded by green fields with a river flowing nearby. The community mainly consisted of farmers who owned their lands outside the village. Shamila, who was a seven-year-old girl, was as thin as wafer although she was well fed.

Shamila’s daily routine was to wake up before sunrise so she could listen to the radio. Her father listened to the morning radio programmes informed of daily news and light entertainment. She loved to listen to poetry and music programmes which transported her to the imaginary world of fantasy conjuring up the heroes and villains of the past from the stories her mother used to tell her when she was a baby. It was the highlight of the morning, and before breakfast, she carried out her morning chores.

Shamila woke up late one morning, and her father had already changed his clothes ready to take the oxen to the fields.  He saw the goats were still in the pen; he didn’t see his daughter up, and suddenly his mood changed into anger and rage.

He yelled at his wife, Where is that good for nothing girl. She must be sleeping as usual. This girl will be the death of me never carrying out her duties on time and always daydreaming or sleeping.

His wife Jamila smiled, Don’t worry Shamila’s dad, I’ll make sure she leaves home promptly with the goats for grazing.

Shamila’s mother shouted out at the top her voice,

Where are you hiding, your father is furious with you?

In a quiet voice, she replied, I am changing my clothes, and in a few minutes I’ll be taking the goats for grazing.

Girl, I can’t hear you. You’re always mumbling and reply in a low voice, in which corner of the house are you hiding.

Shamila jumped out of the room where she was changing her clothes.

And smilingly replied, Here I am.

About time you appeared and took the goats out for grazing.

Before Shamila’s father left for the fields with the oxen, he wasn’t happy with the attitude of his daughter. If I catch this girl late one more time, she’ll get a hiding; she’ll never forget.

After these remarks, Karim left for the fields. This incident had spoiled his mood, and he believed a good start in the morning makes for a happy day.

Shamila‘s father Karim owned his land and cultivated different crops during the year. He had no education and was thin as a stick; he had a permanent expression of complaint on his face. Jamila was an illiterate housewife who was stocky built but was pleasant in nature. They managed to survive on the crops grown in the fields. It was a hard way of life where tradition and culture played a significant part in these farmers way of living.

Each day, before sunrise, Shamila woke up early to give fodder or hay to the cows, goats and oxen; she would clean the shed filled with dung. Using her hands, she would gather the manure and put into a big round metal bowl; she would pick up the bowl and carry out the process of making flat round discs of dung which were slapped on the wall. These discs dried out during the day and used for fuel and cooking.

One day, Shamila began looking for the stick; she specially made for driving the goats to the fields. Shamila’s mother lost her patience with her daughter, and she imagined the day she was born a calamity must have affected the earth. When suddenly Shamila shouted out, I have found the stick; this is the place where I put it last evening. Her mother heard these comments and burst out laughing.

You naive girl, what am I going to do with you?

She heard her mother remark and shrugged her shoulders.Shamila’s house was situated at the edge of the village and consisted of three rooms made of mud and red brick, it is brown and rust coloured, there is a large shed in which the cows, oxen tied and feed given. In the middle is a big lawn and on one side is a goat’s pen at the edge, where green fields start. Shamila took the goats to the green fields near the main highway which was in the opposite direction from the small road; it led to the main highway via the small village road.

She never looked forward to taking the goats for grazing in these fields where the three girls of Shamila’s age of seven years old would meet her. These girls wore school uniform of white colour shalwar (an Indian women’s trouser) and white scarves to accompany this. When these girls passed by these fields carrying their heavy school bags, they always made fun of Shamila by calling her names like dumb, dirty and illiterate. They came early sometimes to catch her so they could take the water and food from her by pulling her hair and twisting her arm. One of them would snatch the food and water bag from her. These were the distressing acts she had to endure as a daily ritual which was never ending. Shamila imagined,

If I was born in a wealthy family my parents would let me go to school in a clean and neat uniform with friends so she would enjoy talking with friends while walking to school.

She would cry without anyone consoling her, and she would be filled with these thoughts.

In the afternoon, she would bring the herd back and would dispense water to the flock, but her face would paint a picture of fear and apprehension. Her mother would ask the question,

Has anything happened while you were herding the goats?

But Shamila would cleverly change the conversation about food or make a joke which annoyed her mother so that she wouldn’t ask her the question. This routine kept going for some years, but one day her mother decided she would get to the bottom of the problem.

It was mid-May when the sun was burning with all its fury. That day Shamila thought it would be better for the animals to taken home where they would be watered and rested so to avoid the long summer heat. Her mother was eagerly waiting for her to come so she could ask what was troubling her for so long.  As Shamila entered the lawn with the goats, her mother was watching her carefully while she watered the goats. She called out,

I have cooked your favourite food.

That’s wonderful, thank you, mum.

You’re welcome, come here and sit down on this little stool beside me.

Her mother sprang off the seat and waddled to the clay pitcher which was put to one side of the room full of cold water. She poured out a glass and handed to Shamila.

This will cool you down.

Thank you, mum; I really needed this.

Shamila’s mother tried very hard to tackle her on this matter but to no avail. Her mother became very frustrated not knowing what was bothering her daughter.

Her parents thinking was she lived in a fantasy land but to the contrary, Shamila was suffering emotional stress. Her parents lived by a system where the landlords’ word was the law, and they followed the old age customs and rituals. Her father Karim was 50 years old, and head of the family and his rules must be followed, they were the law of the house. If someone broke the rules, there was hell to pay. Jamila was a kind and gentle soul who followed her husband’s commands to the letter. Both her parents thought she was always making up things due to her active imagination but this was a misconception, she was always telling the truth.

These girls who carried out the bullying were from a well to do background, and the three girls were related to the landlord of the village. They were of muscular build and taller than the average villager’s daughters. They would severely punish any girl who opposed them, and they would impose their will on all the village kids.

Abuse and bullying were a daily occurrence with these girls. Shamila tried to avoid them by taking the goats in a different direction but to no avail and these girls instinctively knew where to find her but carried on with their ways. As time passed, the bullying got worse, the more depressed and worried she became. She didn’t know what to do in this situation, but some action was needed. She knew that her father wouldn’t believe her that these girls were bullying and abusing her. He thought her to be bone idle and always day dreaming.

Shamila loved to listen to the radio programmes of poetry and music which made her forget the daily trial and tribulation of facing these girls. The programmes broadcast gave her inspiration because there were women poets, musicians included and a female announcer who hosted many programmes. Shamila wondered if she went to school and she became educated she wouldn’t have to carry out these duties all day. One thought always occupied her mind was how to obtain permission from her father so that she could take the radio to pass the time while grazing the goats. Listening to the radio would help her to forget the daily abuse and bullying. She in her heart knew there was zero chance of her laying her hands on the radio. Her father might think this was just another tactic to avoid carrying out her responsibilities.

It was June; the height of summer, the sun was burning with all its zest. She decided on that day she would bring the goats home early to avoid the burning sun. Her mother was sitting on the veranda cutting vegetables into a brass bowl with a large knife.  When she spotted the goats, and her daughter was back early, she became worried. There were many questions which were swirling in her mind until she found out why she was home early.

Shamila marched straight towards Jamila, who was looking at her with a stern face and spoke to her mother,

I have something important to discuss with you.

Her mother shrugged her shoulders giving the impression Shamila was going to complain about being too hot, or she didn’t want to sew clothes, but to her surprise Shamila said nothing and sat down quietly, falling into deep thought.

Well I am waiting, what was it you want to discuss with me that was so urgent?

When I come back from grazing the goats, you always ask me, what is bothering me?

Go on tell me.

Shamila was filling up with emotions and suddenly burst into tears.

Why are you crying?

Whenever I tell you that bad things have happened, you think I am making them up. I have never lied about these incidents; they do happen, and I always take my duties seriously.

Her mother was puzzled which incidents Shamila was talking about.

What events? I have no clue what you are talking about.

Mum, listen to me then. There are these three girls who always are taunting me, calling me names and throwing stones at me.

Why do you antagonise these girls?

When Shamila heard this remark she protested and became angry.

Mum, you never listen to the full story, and you make me out to be the villain of the piece instead of being the victim.

Ok! I understand, tell me the whole story.

Shamila told her mother the whole story and when she learnt the details of the incidents, she became horrified.

I didn’t know you were facing these troubles while you were grazing the goats. My advice is not to take the goats in that direction where they pass every day.

Mum I do change my route, but they always find me.

I have to tell your dad about the incidents, find out who these girls are, and talk to their parents so that this trouble can be stopped in its tracks.

When her husband Karim came home after dinner they sat down for a cup of tea and in the general conversation she inquired about how each other’s day passed. Jamila brought up the subject of their daughter. When heard the name of Shamila popping into the conversation his mood began changing and anger appeared on his face.

What has this girl been up to now?

She hasn’t caused any trouble, and it’s the other way round.

What do you mean?

His wife was very apprehensive at the reaction she might receive from her husband.

Let me explain the situation to you. Our daughter has been taking the goats for grazing, but these three girls in school uniform have been abusing her, calling her names, hurtling rocks at the goats and our daughter.

She must have done something to provoke these girls to carry out these kinds of acts.

But she hasn’t.

She was suddenly interrupted by Karim.

Stop being naive; our girl can’t do anything right.

Jamila went quiet and toed the party line quoted by her husband. She wasn’t satisfied by this answer, and she decided in her heart that she would get to the bottom of this matter.

I know what you are thinking, don’t even consider taking action on that thought. We don’t need any trouble! These people have a lot of influence in this village, and they can stir up problems which will be difficult to handle.

Ok!

Wash your hand's dinner is ready.

Karim washed his hands and enjoyed the evening meal.  Jamila dropped the subject and carried on with her evening chores, and after finishing them, she went to bed early.

Chapter 2

Shamila was always dreaming about what it would be like studying in school, even while facing horrific abuse and bullying from these girls when she went for grazing with the goats. There was no respite from the onslaught from these girls on a daily basis. She knew that in June summer holidays occur and the girls don’t pass this way to school. This thought kept her going, at least for the summer vacation, these girls wouldn’t trouble her. This feeling would bring a smile to her face and make her life more tolerable carrying out her duties during the intense heat of summer and the wet monsoon season.

Shamila would come home during the hot summer and constantly complain to her mother, these girls abuse and bullying was getting worse. Her mother didn’t listen to her anguish and apprehension but ended up giving her advice on concentrating on her duties, not on other individuals. These talks went over Shamila’s head, but her mother was a firm believer that girl should learn to cook, clean, sew and other duties of the house. Men earned money needed for living. These were the traditional values which Jamila inherited from her parents, and they didn’t believe in educating daughters even in this modern era. She was a strict disciplinarian in the case of her daughter who had to learn to sew and the art of housekeeping. When it came to doing her household chores, the instructions given by her mother were as if she was speaking a foreign language.

Summer passed quietly, and Shamila started to get into the routine of coming home during the midday heat to change into more comfortable clothes.Then she would have lunch, and afterwards, her mother asked her to bring the sewing machine out to instruct her how to use the sewing machine for mending clothes, as her mother was the finest seamstress in the village. People would come from far away from different communities to get their clothes sewn for special occasions and religious holidays. She was always busy sewing and mending people’s clothes, but the sewing wasn’t a highly paid job. It helped to pay part of the household bills and the husband’s income from farming made up the rest. Shamila hated these duties but had no choice in these affairs; she carried them out as well as she could. Her mother was frustrated with Shamila’s lacklustre performance and her bad attitude. Not concentrating on the chores allocated to her. She sat her down one day and spoke to her in a very stern manner.

Young lady I don’t know what game you are playing at.

But mum.

Be quiet, I am fed up with your attitude and new antics on a daily basis.

I find it challenging, and I don’t understand these things.

If you find my instruction on sewing difficult to comprehend say stop and ask me questions on that particular topic.  

Shamila nodded in agreement and the conversation finished. Shamila began to pay attention to sewing, and her mother was happy with her attitude change. When she didn’t understand any new instruction on mending or sewing clothes, she would stop her mum and ask detailed questions. It resulted in improving her understanding of sewing clothes, and she became a much happier person which delighted her mother.

It was in the month of September when all the kids went back to school. Shamila had forgotten about the girls who used to abuse and bully her, but they found her at the start of the new term when she was grazing her goats. Shamila saw the girls she began herding the goats in a different direction. Thania, Ujala and Farha looked at each other in surprise at this girl’s action.Thania was the leader of the group, and she would orchestrate all the activities which were carried out by Ujala and Farha. 

Thania looked at the girls and smiled, giving an expression of having an idea popping into her head; she was planning something nasty for Shamila.

She addressed the two girls.

We have had no fun in a long while with this girl. It’s about time we did.

Both girls listened carefully to what Thania said. There was a big smile on Ujala’s face thinking about this idea.   

Farha asked Ujala.

What are you smiling about?

She has evaded us today but tomorrow is a new day.

She told her plan how to trap Shamila. Both girls laughed and liked the idea.

It rained heavily through the night, and the village road became muddy and large puddles of water gathered in different places. This water turned into a big pond including the road, which was leading to the main highway near where Shamila grazed her goats outside the village.

Next morning Jamila woke her a bit early because it rained, she knew that it would take longer for her daughter to reach the fields for grazing. She made breakfast quickly for Shamila and told her to eat it and get ready because it would take longer for the goats to reach the grazing land. Jamila didn’t want her daughter to be in trouble with her father because the goats weren’t taken for grazing. Shamilia left home early with the goats and found pools of water which were difficult to take across to the grazing ground. She divided the herd into small groups so as to be able to cross these giant pools of water more efficiently.    

The same morning Thania was eager to leave home early for school, but her mother was observing the unusual behaviour of her daughter.

Thania’s mother asked.

Why are you leaving home this early?

"Mum it has been raining, and