After checking the entire so called kitchen of her small house, Kshama sat disappointed. There was little water left in the earthen pot which she thought of drinking. She took the glass in hand and then thought about her dad. Papa may need it when he comes back home. She kept the glass back and went to the door. Every evening she sat by the door and waited for her father to come back. Her father was her only hope.
He worked in the construction site and got his daily wages. He was getting old and hence getting work had become more and more difficult for him. Kshama tried getting some household work for herself but had lost all her jobs because she was not very presentable. Her face was half burnt because of an incident that occurred years back. It took away her mother and little brother’s life too.
That day her father returned empty handed. Whenever they were not able to earn their basic food, the daughter and father would think they are fasting that day and would give their prayers to God saying this day was for him.
The next day Kshama went along with her father to find some work for herself too. She was tired of being hungry and miserable. After a long day of work, when they were returning back in the evening, they saw many people coming out of the temples and mosques.
The day was important for both the religions, Ekadashi for Hindus and it was Ramadaan for Muslims. When Kshama saw people buying sweets and food for themselves and their families, she asked her father what was going on.
After listening to the way everyone fasts for the gods they believe in and give their prayers, she thought to herself “I fast almost every day out of poverty but god has never heard my prayers until now”
Earn and Eat if you are hungry, God won’t come and serve you just because you are praying and fasting.
