Man of few words

I live in Indian village. I know a man whom I never saw smile. He is always expression less, difficult to pick what is he thinking .This is as if some deep agony burried with in him. He is always working hard. He cleans the Buffalo shed everyday morning. He gets the fodder every evening. He is not into small talk or casual conversation. I thought he is of the type who is self centred and not interested mingling with others.

Recently I got to know his story from my mother and changed my perception.

He got five sisters and no brothers. Growing up with five sisters made him a man never be able to express his feelings freely. His first marriage is with the daughter of his mother’s brother. His uncle is a educated and well known man. The bride never liked him and never came to him to start a family. Rumours stated about his potency.

In a village like ours people give lot of importance to reputation. Good or bad reputation carry over generations. This man lost his reputation and was not able to justify his position.His mother supported his brother instead of his son. There was huge financial loss with the divorce settlement .

The man got distraught and thought of ending his life. In a village the common way to end people life is drinking pesticide or insecticide. He took the pesticide and my father timely intervention of making him drink salt water saved his life.

The bride married some one else. The man also got married and started his life. He did what he knows best. He worked hard to rebuild his life. His second wife gave birth to son and daughter. The son grow up and owned vehicle to transport people. Now his next challenge is to marry his daughter. Now they become financially strong helping others.

This is story of most of Indian rural families, the man lives for the family and dies for the family.