^{02 December 2024
#Bangladesh 🇧🇩}

The Cotter's Saturday Night

That was a cold Bengali winter evening of the month of Poush. There was thick fog in the village, a cold wind blowing over the fields and bringing everyone shivers. There was another kind of warmth inside the small clay houses of rural Bengal.

A small wooden table was inside of one such house. The light was provided by a dim oil lamp on it. The old father siting down at the table with the family gathered here. Wrapped in an old shawl, he was holding a thick book of old stories. With a deep, calm and magical voice he told his story. After a week of hard work, this evening was special.

There in one corner sat the mother, her handwoven saree draped over her shoulders and covering her head with the edge. A small child sat on her lap. Little one’s sweet giggles everywhere and it was actually making her happy. The eldest daughter was stitching a quilt made from old pieces of cloth a small way in helping her mother.

Not far sat the eldest son, who in his early twenties. He sipped tea from a clay cup. He asked excitedly "what happened next, father?" His voice was so curious and eager. The youngest son, probably no more than ten or eleven, heard the story but kept sneaking looks at the stove. The chicken curry's smell had filled the house along with the smell of steamed rice. He eagerly waited to eat.

The father stopped and said for a moment, "Did you know that our ancestors worked so hard and sacrificed so much to own this land of Bengal?. They had believed in honesty and hard work. Remember these lessons in your life.”

Everyone listened silently. It was much more than just entertainment. It was life and values lesson. Love and unity were their best strengths and the family felt very connected.

After some time the cooking was done. The mother started serving dinner, the youngest boy couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Mom, I’m so hungry! He said with a big grin.

The meal was eaten on the floor by the family sitting together. They had laughter, joke, and talk about the story while eating warm food. The cold wind have blown outside the house, but inside there was warmth from their love and laughter.

This is simple beauty of rural Bengal. There happiness lies in small moments and binding love to families.

I invite following users for the contest
@scarletlara247
@nancybriti
@venecineaudio

Here is: Contest Link .
Organized by @solperez ma'am.