disappointing my family is much stronger. I miss my peaceful village, and want nothing more
than to have you there, by my side, living life with me.”
There was a brief silence as Rani attempted to process what she had just heard. Raja was hanging
every major part of his life – even her – on the purchase of this buffalo. Rani frowned and tried
again.
“Look at the freedom of the city. We can move and meet each other and no one else cares. We
would never have that in the village.” Rani said, begging him with her eyes.
“Believe me, Rani, life in the village is exquisite.”
“But I can’t live somewhere where even a buffalo enjoys more than a woman does.”
“Buffaloes enjoy more? But how?” Raja asked.
“Yes, the buffalo has a better life there. She is given fodder and shelter and gives milk. But a
woman has to earn her fodder and give milk too.”
“You have to work in the city as well,” Raja argued.
“True, but the money I earn is mine to do with what I will. I am free to go dancing or eat at my
friends’ house, or,” she added, taking Raja’s hand, “to spend the evening sitting with you
listening to your flute. In the village, I would be a servant to you, to your family, I would be
expected to bear many children and work long hard hours every day.”
It was a strong argument. Raja thought of his mother, working all day in the landlord’s house and
feeding her babies at the same time.
“Yes, that’s true, but the community we live in is so strong. We may not have much, but we have
each other. The people are kind and generous, the landscape is beautiful, and there isn’t a
constant reminder of how much others have. Here in the city, I am forced to look at the lives of
others – lives which I will never understand. Back home, we can live in peace