Sukhi was visiting her grandfather on a farm.
Grandfather and Sukhi would get up very early. They had many things to do on the farm. Grandfather would milk the cow. Sukhi would gather the eggs from the coop. Grandfather would cook breakfast. Sukhi would feed hay to the cows and grain to the hens.
Then Sukhi would play on the farm. And Grandfather would go to the fields. When Grandfather returned, both would have lunch. In the evening, both of them would go around the farm. They had to see that the animals were resting. At night Grandfather would tell Sukhi stories till they both fell asleep.
Sukhi loved Grandfather and Grandfather loved Sukhi. They were very happy.
One morning Grandfather fell ill. When Sukhi saw it, she tucked him up in bed. She said, ‘Grandfather, please rest. Today I will milk the cows and care for the animals.’
Grandfather said, ‘No Sukhi. You must go to play.’
Sukhi shook her head. ‘When I was little, you cared for me. You held me. You taught me to walk. You taught me to speak. You looked after me when I was sick. Now it is my turn.’
Grandfather smiled and lay back on his pillows.
That day, Sukhi did all the farm work that she could. She also cared for Grandfather. She helped him when he got out of bed. She fed him hot milk, spoon by spoon. She wiped his face when he was hot.
Grandfather said, ‘Sukhi, you have become my little mother.’
When Grandfather was better, he told everyone, ‘My Sukhi is the best granddaughter and mother I could ever have.’
Sukhi smiled happily.
All rights reserved,@Sutapa Basu 2015
