Sketchstory No. 2 - 'Courage' by Kritika Negi

It was a beautiful evening, with cirrus clouds, chirping birds and a gentle breeze. Tabu and her Grandma were thoroughly enjoying the lychees, freshly plucked from their gardens. The verandah was almost covered with the big bunches that were kept away to distribute among the other villagers. Grandma was partially engaged in looking over at their neighbour’s balcony when she suddenly asked, “What gives you courage?” 

Tabu was baffled, and immediately replied, “My Doll”. 

Grandma laughed. “Courage doesn’t lie in these materialistic things, my child.” Grandma paused and said, “Have I ever told you about Veena?” 

Tabu eagerly asked, ‘Who is she?’ 

Grandma replied, ‘“Veena was a very smart and ambitious girl. When she was 12 years old, her parents wanted to get her married. In rebellion, Veena cut her hair to reject all traditional notions of femininity and womanhood. She was unstoppable.” 

“Was she your friend, Grandma”?, Tabu asked. 

“Yes!” Grandma replied, “But sadly, I couldn’t borrow some of that courage from her.”

“Where is she now?”

“With exceptional elegance, she is sitting there, in her balcony”.

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