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Friday, November 8, 2024

The Unfortunate Mother (A play)

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Prem Paudel

PERSONS IN THE PLAY

Mother: a widow of around 32 years of age

Bisné: son of the widow, 9 years of age

Kanchhi: daughter of the widow, 7 years of age

Sirangharé Boyi: a man from the neighbourhood, 65 years of age

Phupoo: aunt of Bisné (father’s sister), 25 years old

Newar  Landlord: landlord, 45 years of age

A woman

Bisné’s friend

[At the backstage, we hear the singing of a Gandarva, a Nepali minstrel. ]

Gandarva: Jado, Hajur

Master: Jado, jado. is it Kanchho? Where are you bound, minster singer? It’s still dark. Gandarva: Yes, it’s me, Hajur. 

Master: Oh! How come you are here so early in the morning? 

Gandarva: I can’t help Hajur; it’s my job. I have come with the balled of an unfortunate woman. 

Master: Whose story have you come with? Tell. 

Gandarva: It’s the tale of an unfortunate mother from Baglung district in the Western Development Region. 

Master: That means, it’s a story from our own district, Baglung. Start then. If you sing well, I’ll give you a few cobs of maize. 

Gandarva: It’s fine, Master! 

[Sings]

Sunnuhola launa hajoor, diyera dhyana

Aaya bhanchhan launa hajoor, sukhaka jamana

Garibalai launa hajoor, aafnai byatha chha

Mahalma launa hajoor, basnelai ke thah chha?

[Listen, every one; listen with care

Everyone says, good days have come to the poor

The poor have their own tales, though

How would the dwellers of mansions know?]

Act I

[In front of a hut, we can see a widow, preparing beans for cooking.]

Mother: Bisné, where are you?

Bisné: Why?

Mother: What have you been doing? Go; bring me a plate from inside. 

Bisné: OK [comes onstage with a plate.] Here you are, Mom. 

Mother: Go in; make fire in the hearth and heat porridge. Then feed it to the cows. 

Bisné: OK, Mom. 

Mother: Isn’t Kanchhi up yet?

Bisné: No.

Mother: Go; hurl her out of bed. She is still sleeping! 

[Kanchhi enters the stage in a while]

Kanchhi: Did you call me, Mom? Why?

Mother: So you woke up! What a habit you have adopted — waking so late in the morning. I am getting late to the field. What am I to cook for curry? Go the terrace at the rear, and pluck some more beans. 

Kanchhi: No, I won’t go. 

Mother: Go! I am telling you. 

Kanchhi: Why don’t you send Brother?

Mother: He is busy. Make it quick. 

[Kanchhi goes, reluctantly.]

Kanchhi: [bringing beans] I didn’t find many beans there, Mom. 

Mother: There are many. Why shouldn’t you find them? Had you gone down to other terraces, you would find many. What a lazy girl you are! Go in; check if there is flour in the pot.

[Kanchhi enters, but comes out in a while.]

Kanchhi: Mom, there’s none in the pot. 

Mother: What? If so, go to the home of Sirangharé Grandpa, and ask him to lend us two manas of flour for a few days. [Kanchhi goes]

Why are you going empty-handed? Take a container with you. Before that, bring me a saucer from inside. [Kanchhi does that, and exits.] Bisné, listen to me. Add water to the porridge and make it lukewarm. If you give it hot, it will burn the cow’s mouth. After doing that, clean the cowshed. 

Bisné: That’s fine, Mom. 

Mother: Oh, look at the mother-goat; it’s still in the pen. First take it out and tether it somewhere, and give is few leafy boughs of cedar. 

[Kanchhi enters.]

Kanchhi: Here it is, Mom. 

Mother: Do not keep it here; take in and keep in the proper place. Then set water for heating; I will come with the beans. 

Binse: Mom, aren’t I going to school today?

Mother: Why should you be going to school, honey? Last year too, you went the whole year. When it was time for examination, you were expelled for not paying the fee. This time too, I don’t have money. Leave the school. 

Bisné: Mom, I want to study. I want to attend the school. 

Mother: I too am interesting in sending you to school, but what can I do? Just dreaming won’t do; there is no money. Your teacher had told me, you were good in lessons, and I should continue sending  you to school. But Bisné, what could I do? Working day in and day out for the whole day hardly suffices to feed you. How can I send you to school? I haven’t yet been able to pay back the cash we borrowed from the Newar Landlord when your father died. Leave the idea of the school. 

[Bisné stares blankly, weeping.]

Act II

[Kanchhi sits at the porch, washing clothes.]

Kanchhi: Brother… Brother! 

Binse: Why?

Kanchhi: Check if the fire has died out in the oven. 

Bisné: OK. 

[Newar Landlord enters in the meantime.]

Landlord: Hello girlie! What have you been doing? Where’s your mother?

Kanchhi: She’s gone to milk the cow. 

Landlord: Go; tell her to come quickly. 

Kanchhi: [Shouts] Mom; you are wanted here, quick! 

Landlord: Will your washing do, sitting here at the porch? You should be doing it at the tap. It will be quicker, and the clothes will be cleaner too. 

[Mother enters.]

Mother: O, it’s you, Master! Namaste! 

Landlord: Namaste!

Mother: Kanchhi, what have you been doing? Go in, and bring a tool for Master. 

Landlord: Let it be; I don’t need a tool. I just came to remind you… 

Mother: O no; how could I forget? I can never forget the favour you’ve done on me. 

Landlord: Oh, who’s more obsequious than you in lips? Every time you are in need, I have lent you help, haven’t I?

Mother: You have. When did I say you haven’t?

Landlord: In fact, your family has always been like this: quick at taking, but never willing to return. But listen; I didn’t lend you cash because I had a lot. I had readied it for buying stuffs, but I gave it to you seeing you were in need. It has been around three years, and you take no name of giving back. 

Mother: Master, it’s not that I am hoarding cash. In fact, I don’t have cash. I am rearing someone’s goat, dealing half share each of every newborn. If it breeds well, I will pay you the interest, if not the principal. 

Landlord: Holy Mo, save my…! What a quick pretext you forge? Your goat—a tiger can take and maul it. How dare you compare my cash with a goat? I am in need of cash; arrange immediately. 

[Mother is speechless.]

Landlord: Didn’t you hear me? I need cash immediately.

Mother: Master, do not push me into such difficulty. I am an unfortunate woman, already betrayed by God. I am finding it tiring to feed these two kids; how can I find as immediately as you say?

Landlord: I have come to remind you the same thing. You are finding it hard to feed your kids, aren’t you. I am looking for a girl for domestic help. You have a grown-up daughter; why should I look for a girl elsewhere? She can work at mine. There is no much work, you know. All she needs to do is arrange goods in the shop, scrub utensils and cook. If you send your daughter to work at mine, she will get good food and clothes, and you will be able to reduce the interest, if not the principal. 

Mother: She is still too young, Master! What work will she do? I will pay your cash, some day. 

Landlord: That means, you longer obey what I say. If you are not willing to send your daughter; don’t send. That won’t make much difference to me. If I send a messenger across the village, every family will be willing to give its daughter to work at this Newar Landlord. They will implore me, “Master; do please give my daughter some work.” But you won’t understand that. Listen; I need my cash and its interest within a week. It’s you who has to think now whether you are sending your daughter to work at mine, or you will manage cash. I am going. [Prepares to go, but stops short, and returns.] I forgot; we are in need of a tool at ours. If I have come up to this distance, why should I return empty-handed. Let me carry this tool. [Picks up the tool offered to him to sit, and leaves.]

Kanchhi: [crying] Mom, I am really going to Master’s to work?

Mother: I don’t know, darling. That is what Master says. If he says that, how can I deny? Daughter, do please go. 

Kanchhi: No, I won’t go. I will remain here. I won’t go anywhere leaving you. 

Mother: Listen; we owe him some money. After a week, you will go and start leaving there. You must go, Kanchhi! 

Act III

Bisné: Kanchhi, where have you gone? Kanchhi? Are you there around? 

Kanchhi: Why?

Bisné: Come here. You know, I know everything written in this book. Would you love to hear what is there in this lesson? Listen! These is a big jungle, as big as our village, and many demons live in it. For many days, they have been running hungry. One day, they enter a village, see a girl, allure her to go with them, take her home, cut her into pieces her, and eat. 

[Mother enters.]

Mother: Bisné! What is that you are saying— talking about cutting and eating?  Hadn’t I told you to feed water to the cattle? Go; fill the pitcher and fetch water in it. Do not bring the pitcher empty. I had thought, two of you—brother and sister— will take care of the domestic works and collect fodder. But you happened to be lazing around, doing nothing but babbling. What  is that you are gawking at, girlie? Go in; bring the sickle and the tumpline. It will be dark by the time I return. Collect woods and be ready. 

[Phoopu, their aunt—the sister of the kids’ father— enters.]

Phupoo: Bhauju, greetings! 

Mother: Oh, it’s you. Greetings. 

Phupoo: Where are you setting out for when it is getting dark?

Mother: Look! All day, I was in the field, working. I had thought the kids would get the fodder ready. But I found them doing nothing. 

Phupoo: Oh! But they are still kids; they won’t be doing all those things. 

Mother: You’re right. I am going out to collect fodder. It’s getting dark; I will go and come back quickly. Be sitting. 

Phupoo: Oh, it’s fine. [to the girl] Kanchhi, come here. Come; take this from me. 

[Bisné reaches with a pitcher full of water.]

Phupoo: Oh, how much water you carry?

Binse: I can. 

Phupoo: You could have fetched lesser water. 

Bisné: I can, Aunt! Else, I will have to go again. 

Phupoo: Come here; take this. [gives biscuits]. How is Sirangharé Grandpa? Is he alright?

Bisné: He is. He was asking yesterday if you had come at ours. 

Phupoo: Kanchhi, go and tell him I have come. Call him here. 

[Kanchhi leaves.]

Bisné: And Phupoo, what else have you brought for me?

Phupoo: Here is something else. Take this brush; it’s for you. [gives a toothbrush]

Bisné: But, didn’t you tell me last time that you would bring me a cap?

Phupoo: O, yes. I have brought one. Come on; here you are. Aren’t you attending school today?

Bisné: I abandoned school, Auntie. 

Phupoo: Oh, why?

Bisné: Mom told to abandon. So. 

Phupoo: Why did she say so?

Bisné: Because, she could not pay fees before the exams. They charge fee when the examinations come, and those who do not pay are not allowed in the examination. Last year too, I had missed the exams. Auntie, I want to attend the school very much! 

Phupoo: That’s fine. 

[Sirangharé Grandpa enters.]

Grandpa: Lachchhimi!

Phupoo: O Grandpa, Namaste! 

Grandpa: God bless you. 

Phupoo: Are you fine?

Grandpa: The soul is still with us. But for us the old folks, the question of health is impertinent. 

Phupoo: O, what’s that you are saying, Grandpa?

Grandpa: Where did you come from: home or Kathmandu?

Phupoo: I came from Kathmandu, Grandpa! Tonight, I am staying here. I will move homeward tomorrow. 

Grandpa: Why should you be going tomorrow? You rarely come. Why don’t you stay here for a couple of days? You can be of some help at this time of difficulty. 

Phupoo: You are right, but my college has not granted leave for many days. Moreover, upon reaching home, I will have to pass a few days there. 

Grandpa: You are presently a student, aren’t you?

Phupoo: You’re right, Grandpa. 

Grandpa: Which grade are you in?

Phupoo: I am doing my intermediate arts. 

Grandpa: It’s God’s blessing that you were married to a good family; it allowed you to study. Most often, the married daughters become strangers. Keep coming at times. 

Phupoo: Grandpa, you know that I have been coming quite often. 

Grandpa: I am always anxious about your well-being. Did you take anything for snack? Where is your sister-in-law, Patali?

Phupoo: She just returned from the field and went out to gather fodder. 

Grandpa: Your sister-in-law is in utter hardship. O, how my heart reaches out to her, when I see her condition, but there is nothing I can do. She was quite small when she entered this family. Since then, all she faced is hardship, and the trend continues till today. She never found leisure for a comfortable breath. 

Phupoo: In absence of Brother, whatever she has done is great. She deserves applaud. 

Grandpa: Your brother died in vain. That day, he was sleeping here in the porch. I came and felt his forehead; o, he had third-degree fever. I said, a disease should not be neglected; take him to the hospital. Others said, it was needless, as it was mere fever. Two days later, he died. 

Phupoo: It’s useless, recalling the past, Grandpa! Repenting now is pointless. Moreover, Brother didn’t have money for treatment that time. The hospital too was quite far. 

Grandpa: You are true, Nani. We are suffering a lot because the hospital is so far. If we need a tablet, we will have to walk for hours, and recourse the same distance back  home. 

Phupoo: What can we do, Grandpa? We can do nothing. 

Grandpa: The one who died, is gone. Patali has the shock; she too has the additional burden of these two kids too. Until last year, she had been sending them to school too. This year, she could not afford. But then, Nani, your nephew is of shrewd mind. He catches whatever he reads. God would bless, if we could do something for his schooling. 

[A friend of Bisné enters.]

Friend: Grandpa! 

Grandpa: Why have you come again, my boy?

Friend:       Mom says, it’s meal time. She has sent me to call you home. 

Grandpa: You be going; I will come in a while. [To Phoopu] You have not taken anything for your snacks. Come with me; let’s go to ours, and share my meal. 

Phupoo: Oh, no. I am not hungry. Let me wait; Bhauju might return soon. 

Grandpa: You don’t obey. OK, I take leave of you. Stay well. 

Phupoo: Sure, Grandpa. 

[Grandpa leaves]

Phupoo: Bisné, come here. Take this bag and keep it inside. 

Mother: O, Nani. You are still outside? You could have gone in. You might catch cold. 

Phupoo: No, it’s fine. 

Mother: There is no much fodder in the field. I hardly filled my basket. 

Phupoo: Bhauju, doesn’t Bisné attend school these days?

Mother: I could not afford. Last year too, he attended the whole year. But when the exams came round the air, I couldn’t pay his fees. He was barred from appearing the exams. This time  too, the same happened. When the sources of income are none, Nani, it’s difficult. When your brother was sick, I had borrowed some cash from the Newar Landlord. I have not been able to pay him back yet. He had come a few days back. He said, pay my money, or send your daughter to work at mine. You know, I have no cash. In that case, I must send this girl to work there for a few days. 

Phupoo: What is that you are talking about, Bhauju? It’s wrong to send such a small girl to work. Couldn’t you say him, you would pay his pelf after a few years?

Mother: He helped us when we needed his help; I could not deny him.

Phupoo: I had told you last year, to sell the property here and move to town. If nothing else happens, you can still run a tea-shop and earn your living. That will be better, instead of bearing everyone’s abuse here. 

Mother: Town is not an easy place, Nani. I have neither skill, nor education or money. What am I do to in the town—a strange place? Maybe, I will lose food and clothes, both. 

Phupoo: Whatever you are doing here is wrong, Bhauju. I will go home and return in a couple of days. Till then, make Bisné ready with his clothes and other stuffs. I will take him along, and manage his school in the town. 

Mother: It would be wonderful, if Bisné could study. But they say, nothing comes in the town to those who have no money. He might be a burden to you. 

Phupoo: It’s difficult; yet, I will manage it anyway. 

Mother: Come in; let’s talk inside. 

Act 4

Mother: If my Bisné could gain education, how great things he might do! If my son could learn a little, happiness might return to this widowed mother. People say, God favours those who are poor and needy; I believe, God has heard my plea. I had never imagined that the son of a luckless mother like me will ever go to town to study. O God, let my Bisné study high and become a great man. 

[Bisné enters]

Bisné: Mom, is whatever Phupoo said true?

Mother: What?

Bisné: That I would to go town with her and study?

Mother: I don’t know. That’s what she was saying. Would you love to go?

Bisné: I would, Mom. 

Mother: If you go, don’t trouble your aunt much. 

Bisné: OK, Mom. After I go to town with Phupoo, do not send Kanchhi to work at Newar Landlord’s. 

Mother: Why?

Bisné: Because, that will make you alone. 

Mother: What difference will that make? As for you, study hard. That’s all I have got to say. 

Bisné: My teacher says, we don’t have to gather fodder or do other works in the town. All we have to do is study, and study. Is that true, Mom?

Mother: That’s true. 

Bisné: If so, I will always study. I will study a lot. 

Mother: What will you do, after studying a lot?

Bisné: Mmm..what should I do, Mom? You tell me. 

Mother: Listen to me, honey. All I have is you. Study hard, and become a good human being when you grow. 

Bisné; OK, Mom. I have one thing to ask. 

Mother: What’s it?

Bisné: Why there is no hospital in our village, Mom?

Mother: I don’t know. Had there been one, your father would not have died. 

Bisné: If that is the case, I will study hard and when I grow, I’ll become a doctor. Then, I will build a hospital at our own village. 

Mother: That will be great, honey! 

Act 5

Bisné: Mom, come quick. It’s time, Phuphoo will be coming. 

Mother: O, how much you yell, Bisné? On other days, I had to hurl you out of bed; but today, you came to wake me up. Do you mean, you are starting right now?

Bisné; At what time are we starting, Mom?

Mother: I will first cook. You will leave after eating. 

Bisné; Oh, no. I am not hungry. 

Mother: Have you packed everything you need?

Bisné: I have, Mom. 

Mother: Water?

Bisné: O, I forgot. Will you quickly bring me a bottle?

Mother: Wipe your slippers. 

Bisné: How do I look, Mom?

Mother: You look wonderful. 

Bisné: If I could put the cap Phupoo brought for me, I would look better, Mom. Where is the cap, by the way?

Mother: Don’t ask me; it is you who misplaced it. 

Bisné: I have kept it underneath the bed. Mom, will you bring it for me?

[A friend of Bisné enters]

Friend: Bisné, come with me, if you are going to gather fodder. 

Bisné: O, you’re still talking about fodder. I am going to town, to study. 

Friend: You talk of study? Don’t you know, today is Saturday, a holiday?

Bisné: Did I say I am attending the village school here? I am going to town with Phupoo, and will attend a new school there. 

Friend: O, that’s great. If it’s so, let me go. 

Bisné: OK, go. 

Bisné: O, how late this Phupoo is! Mom, where is that….Phupoo brought for me?

Mother: What is that….you are talking about?

Bisné: That, br…the stuff for cleaning teeth. 

Mother: O, brush. Here you are. Did you pack your books?

Bisné: No I haven’t. Those tall books down there are mine. Mom, please bring them here for me. How many books are we suppose to read in the town?

Mother: I don’t exactly know; maybe many. Here are just four or five. 

Bisné: And how will the school be, Mom?

Mother: I don’t know; I have never seen the face of a school. Maybe, they are good. 

Bisné: Maybe they teach very well. 

Mother: Don’t bother me much. Ask your question when Phupoo comes. She will be reaching any moment now. 

Bisné: Mom, we are taking a vehicle to go to town, aren’t we?

Mother: Will you ride a plane, if it’s not a vehicle? Ask when Phupoo comes. 

Bisné: What am I to do, when Phupoo has not reached yet? Mom, look there; it’s Phupoo. She is reaching. Mom, here I take leave of you. Stay well, Mom; I am going. 

[A woman enters]

A woman: O sister-in-law of Lachchhimi! Are you the woman called Patali?

Mother: I am. But why? 

A woman: Lachchhimi told me, she was supposed to come here today. But she has sent a message. She is stuck in an urgent work at home; she will be coming after two days. 

Mother: Oh!

A woman: Which way takes us to Phedi Bazaar?

Mother: Take this road, and walk straight. You will reach there. 

A woman: Oh, thank you. [ the woman leaves]

Bisné: [crying] Oh, how bad this Phupoo is! She said she would come, and now, she didn’t come. 

Mother: She has sent a message; she will be coming in a couple of days. Hasn’t she?

Bisné: No, she won’t be coming. 

Mother: Come; let’s take lunch. 

Bisné: I am not eating. I am not working, either.

Mother: Listen to me. I am moving towards the field. I have left some bread; heat them and eat. 

Bisné: I won’t. 

Mother: Look at the way he cried. He is such a grown-up child, still he cries. 

Bisné: What a woman Phupoo is? She ought to come, if she had promised. 

Mother: Why are you behaving like this, my  child? Hasn’t she said, she would come in a few days? You know how to drag me into troubles from every way. Will you eat?

Bisné: I will. What am I to feed the cow?

Mother: Cut the low-lying shrubs and feed. Do not climb the tall trees. 

Bisné: OK, Mom. 

Song: Bisné went to cut the grass, climbed a tree-top

Slipped off from there, fainted on the grown 

They lifted him to home, treated for a few days

There was no way they could take him to the doctor’s to treat

Act VI

Mother: I have prepared some grit; I beseech, you eat. 

Bisné: When is Phupoo coming, Mom?

Mother: She will be reaching any moment now. 

[Sirangharé Grandpa enters]

Grandpa: How’s everything, Patali? Did the boy have seizure again?

Mother: Ya, Father. Today he is serious. He has sense now, and he is senseless again. Today, he has fever, added to that. 

Grandpa: Look, Patali. We can never say anything. He doesn’t seem improving at home. Let’s take him to the hospital. 

Mother: It’s getting dark; how are we to take him, Father?

Grandpa: Light a lantern; we will take in its light. We shouldn’t wait for daylight, when someone is so sick. 

Mother: I am helpless, Father. It would be better if I had fallen abed and died, instead of this child. 

Grandpa: Don’t talk such nonsense, Patali. Do as I have told you. Get things ready to lift him to the hospital. 

Mother: Should we wait until the girl comes?

Grandpa: Foolish woman! Why should we wait for the girl? The boy seems to be badly suffering inside, though we see nothing without.

Mother: How are we take him to the hospital, Father? Everything is so costly, and there is not a penny in hand. 

Father: Muddle-head! If you didn’t have money, shouldn’t you have told me yesterday itself? I have saved a little in a piggy bag, for emergencies like this. Where is your girl? Call her here; let’s send her to bring money from mine.

Mother: Kanchhi is at Newar Landlord’s home. He took her yesterday for working there.

Father: O, what a wicked man the landlord is! What work will such an infant do?

Mother: Father, nothing will happen to my boy, will it?

Father: Have patience, Patali. Don’t be panicked. 

Mother: If anything happens to him, how am I to live?

Father: Don’t panic. Be quick. [Bisné continues to writhe]

Mother: O my son! What’s wrong with you? Father, what’s wrong with him? Honey! My child!

Father: Patali, do quick. Do not delay. 

[Bisné dies. Phuphoo arrives.] 

Mother: O God! 

Song: Bisné, the son, died in a spell of fate

Do not weep in memory, o unfortunate mother!

Hundreds are your sons alive, thousands are the grandsons

Let all get the seed of knowledge, become great humans. 

[Prem Paudel is a Nepali actor, director and playwright. Initially associated with Shailee Theatre, he now works for Lok Drishti Theatre based in Kathmandu. His plays have been staged in Nepal and outside, including in India, Bangladesh and Russia. The play The Unfortunate Mother was awarded first during the National Children’s Theatre Festival in Kathmandu n 2012, and was later performed in Moscow as well. In its original Nepali, the play makes use of the diction and life style practiced in Parbat and Baglung district of Nepal in Dhaulagiri Zone. The play does not require change of setting.]

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