A Pot Of Water, # EFINS English Book, скачать в хорошем качестве

A Pot Of Water, # EFINS English Book,

It was a hot day. Nita stood under the shower. Jets of water streamed out from above. The heat had made her listless and fatigued. For a long time she stood there, eyes closed, letting the cool rivulets drip down her shoulders. It was only when Babu, her brother, banged on the door that she realised she had taken too long. The moment Nita stepped out, Babu headed for the bathroom. Quickly he opened the tap full blast. The tub was full to the brim. Babu climbed in and began to splash water all around. It was while Nita was combing her wet hair that the telegram came. "Oh no!" her mother said, "Amma is ill and wants me there! We must catch the first train to Motipur." They were soon on their way. Motipur was a small village where her grandmother lived. It was after a long time that Nita and Babu were going to the village. It was dark by the time they reached. Uncle, Aunt and their daughters, Shanti and Mohini, met them at the door. "Grandmother is much better now," they said. Relieved, they all went to sleep. Nita was suddenly awakened by the sound of voices. "What's the matter?" she cried, "Is everything all right?" Everything seemed strange to her for she had never slept in a mud walled, thatched home before. "She is scared," laughed Shanti. "These city people..." "Keep quiet, Shanti!" her elder sister, Mohini scolded her and turned to Nita. "Go back to sleep, Nita. We have to go, that is why we are up." "Go? Where?" asked Nita in surprise. "To fetch water. We must do it before the sun rises and it becomes too hot," explained Mohini. "But it is still the middle of the night!" protested Nita. "It is almost dawn!" said Shanti contemptuously. "May I also come with you?" Nita asked Mohini. "Of course, if you want to," smiled Mohini. "What will she do?" Shanti protested. "Let her come. She can carry Ma's pot, since Ma is busy today. Hold this, Nita," and Mohini handed her a big brass pot. They set out. Nita saw that the ground was dry and parched. Cracks had formed on the brown earth and everything was yellow. "We've had no rains this year," said Mohini. "The well in the village dried up too. We have to go a long way to find water." "Aren't there any taps?" Nita asked. "No, there was a tank close by. It had some water. But it slowly dried and turned into slush," Mohini explained. up "Where do you go to fetch water?" asked Nita. "There is a little rivulet four miles away. It is a long walk and we get very tired," Mohini shrugged her shoulders. "But what to do?" Soon the sun rose higher and gradually it became hotter. They climbed a small hillock and ran down into a valley strewn with rocks. "Where is the river?" asked Nita. "This is the river. It is just a narrow trickle of water. Sadly, that is what it has become," said a dismayed Mohini. With much difficulty, they managed to fill their vessels. "Whew! This is heavy!" cried Nita, trying to lift her pot. "What else did expect?" said Shanti scornfully. you The load seemed to increase with each step Nita took. Her hands and shoulders began to get cramps. Shanti and Mohini, who had walked confidently ahead, turned around and waited impatiently for her "She is so slow. She is holding us up," said Shanti.n Nita flushed but controlled her feelings. She was slow only because she did not want to spill their precious water. She tossed her head angrily and... the pot lurched. She clutched it desperately, but the water sloshed over. She gasped with dismay. The pot had crashed to the ground and the water started spreading across the dry earth. "We should've never brought her with us..." Shanti cried. Nita was flustered. "You'll see!" she cried as she picked up the vessel. "Where are you going?" cried Mohini. "Don't wait. I shall return soon!" said Nita, running back the way they had come. Mohini tried to stop her but Nita did not listen. She ran fast, no longer tired. She forgot the heat. She raced towards the rocks, hoping the water was still there. It was, though the level had gone down. Nita filled her pot with great difficulty. The sun blazed brighter and she began the long journey back. Perspiration dripped down her forehead. Her wet clothes clung close, and the hot earth burned her feet. But with stiff yet controlled steps, she walked on. Mohini was outside, waiting anxiously for her. Shanti ran out when she heard Mohini's happy cry, "She is back!" "And she has brought the water too!" There was surprise in Shanti's voice as well as a tinge of respect. With a sigh of satisfaction, Nita flopped on the wooden cot. Then she thought what an arduous ...... "Here, drink. You must be thirsty." Shanti thrust a brass tumbler towards Nita. There was a smile of friendly approval on her face and her eyes twinkled warmly. Nita smiled back as she accepted the glass. Water was a precious commodity, too precious to be wasted in just having a good time. No more would she stand for hours under the shower. Nor would she allow Babu to play with water.