The Mother Garden: Stories by Robin Romm

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  • 8/2/2019 The Mother Garden: Stories by Robin Romm

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  • 8/2/2019 The Mother Garden: Stories by Robin Romm

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    X R J N V A G C R ] D A @ C ] D A R

    L J R M A K

    Rc`` nv j fecva-qx jlnfnjk+ + + + Mavxn}a }danr fckmak}%

    v}rjnld}gcr|jrm xrcva jkm }danr fr~v}jeenka vqrgjfa lecvv%|dnfd rafjee Jkk Baj}}nav ajre~ venfa-cg-enga v}crnav% Rc``v

    kjrrj}nwavfjee }da` venfa-cg-maj}d}qrk cq} }c rawae nk

    j`bnlqn}nav jkm awak j lak}ea `jlnf+ + + + Kc `jlnf dara%

    Rc`` vaa`v }c nkvnv}+ Bq} cg fcqrva }dara nv% jkm n}v }da cem-

    av} onkm |a okc|9 }da crmnkjr~ nkfjk}j}nck cg |crmv jkm

    v}crnav }c daex qv kjwnlj}a }da mjrokavv jkm kjee~gcr jee}dj} }dnv n`xravvnwa fceeaf}nck xrc}av}v c}dar|nva}c dcem

    }da akm j} bj~+

    ]da Ka| ^cro ]n`av Bcco Rawna|

    ]dava v}crnav jra gjk}jv}nfnk bc}d vakvav cg }da |crm+

    ]da~ jra jevc aarna jkm `cwnkl% jkm }da~ `jro }da

    mabq} cg j war~ lng}am ~cqkl |rn}ar+

    Jkk Xjfoar% jq}dcr cg]da Mnwa grc` Fejqvakv Xnar

    Nk @v+ Rc``v n`xravvnwa fceeaf}nck cg }|aewa v}crnav + + +

    _vdaP cggarv len`xvav nk}c ka| |j~v cg vaankl }da |crem+

    ]da Ka| ^cro ]n`av

    ]da @c}dar Ljrmak xravak}v j |ckmargqe ka| wcnfa+ Ngcqkm }da v}crnav gqee cg enwae~ zqnronkavv% `jk~ nkmnwnmqje

    vak}akfav xqevnkl |n}d vqrxrnvnkl |crm fdcnfav jkm n`jl-

    ar~% jkm lrjfagqe akmnklv }dj} `jma a v`neavc`a}n`av

    zqn}a karwcqve~% bq} je|j~v jxxrafnj}nwae~+

    Jkk Baj}}na% jq}dcr cgGceenav

    ]da @c}dar Ljrmak nv j rjra km + + + j fceeaf}nck gqee cgvqrxrnvav jkm qkqvqje vn}qj}nckv+

    ]da Cralcknjk

    N`jlnkj}nwa jkm nkvnld}gqe+

    Onroqv Rawna|v

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    _JkP nk}raxnm nkwav}nlj}nck cg ecvv + + + ]dnv vxnrn}am wcnfa

    ra`nkmv qv }dj} Rc`` nv j`ckl }da fc`xjk~ cg |rn}arv

    |dc ea} mngfqe} vqbiaf}v lqnma }danr n`jlnkj}nck+

    Vjk Grjkfnvfc Fdrcknfea

    ]dnv mabq} fceeaf}nck grc` |qkmaronkm Rcbnk Rc``

    nv vxjra% dajr}|rakfdnkl% jkm lrjfagqe% }da `jro cg j

    maax vcqe jkm nkkn}a qkmarv}jkmnkl+

    ]da Fcqrnar-Icqrkje

    Vn`xea jkm ~a} q}}are~ bnyjrra% }da xargaf} rajmnkl

    `j}arnje gcr j ejy~ Vqkmj~ jg}arkcck+ ]dava aml~% cg}akfc`nf }jeav fjx}qra `jlnfje `c`ak}v nk }da enwav cg

    crmnkjr~ nkmnwnmqjev+

    Ynko `jljynka

    J fc`bnkj}nck cg vxjra xrcva jkm gjk}jv}nf awak}v

    `joa Rc``v vaa`nkle~ vn`xea }jeav v}jr}enkl jkm

    fc`xaeenkl+Bccoenv}

    N`jlnkj}nck vcjrv cwar vcrrc| nk }dava dajr}gae}% mjroe~

    fc`nfjkm `cv} n`xcr}jk}gajreavv v}crnav+ Rcbnk

    Rc`` nv j |rn}ar cg }ra`akmcqv lrjfa% jkm }dnv nv j v}rno-

    nkl rv} fceeaf}nck+

    Xa}ar Crkar% jq}dcr cg]da Vafckm Fc`nkl cg @jwjej

    Vdnocklc

    Aqlaka ravnmak}v% raicnfa+ Gnkjee~% xacxea fjk xrjnva ~cq

    gcr vc`a}dnkl c}dar }djk ~cqr Cralck Fcqk}r~ Gjnr jkm

    ~cqr jkjrfdnv}v+ Kc| ~cq fjk xrcqme~ xcnk} }c Aqlaka-

    bcrk Rcbnk Rc``% |dcva v}aeejr mabq} fceeaf}nck cg vdcr}

    v}crnav% ]da @c}dar Ljrmak% nv xjfoam |n}d akcqld }arrn-

    gnam |cqem-ba mjmv% ecv} `c}darv% jkm bajq}ngqe% maj}d-

    eeam `c`ak}v }c `joa jk~ fn}~ cg |anrmcv xrcqm+

    \neej`a}}a \aao

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    J v}rckl mabq} fceeaf}nck+

    Aqlaka \aaoe~

    ]jq} jkm vc`a}n`av mawjv}j}nkl v}crnav + + + }dnv nv j

    v}rckl mabq} fceeaf}nck% |n}d awak }da |dn`vnfje v}crnavxrcwnmnkl wnwnm n`jlar~ jkm }cqld a`c}nckje jxxaje+

    Aqlaka \aaoe~

    ]dava gravd% qkxramnf}jbea v}crnav }jfoea }da cv} mngfqe}

    cg vqbiaf}vmaj}d|n}d j gjnr~-}jea v}rjklakavv }dj}

    `joav }da` qknzqa+ \n}d mraj`enoa fejrn}~% Rc`` fdjr}v

    }da je}aram v}j}a cg lrnag% bafocknkl qv nk}c j vqrraje ~a}vdjrxe~ gj`nenjr |crem+

    Arnf Xqfdkar% jq}dcr cg@qvnf ]drcqld }da Geccr

    Rc`` nv }cc dckav} }c nkwcoa vcjx~ vak}n`ak}? vda djv

    j mjroe~ dq`crcqv }cka% jk a~a gcr vqrraje xcvvnbnen}nav%

    jkm jk aklrcvvnkl wcnfa }dj} av}jbenvdav mnv}jkfa |n}dcq}

    vjfrnfnkl a`c}nckje aggaf}+ ]dnv mabq} fceeaf}nck jqlqrvj xrc`nvnkl gq}qra gcr dar+

    @nj`n Darjem

    \dnea gqkk~ jkm vqrraje% }da v}crnav nk bqmmnkl }jeak}

    Rcbnk Rc``v f}nck cggarnkl ]da @c}dar Ljrmak jra

    rcc}am nk lrnag+

    Wjkn}~ Gjnr

    ]dnv nv cka mabq} jq}dcr |dc nv kc} jgrjnm }c }joa rnvov+

    Bnyjrra }|nv}v cg gj}a% vc`a}n`av warlnkl ck `jlnfje

    rajenv`% fjqva dar c}dar|nva v}rjnld}gcr|jrm }jeav }c

    fjraak cgg fcqrva nk atfn}nkl jkm qkxramnf}jbea |j~v+

    ]da Vjk Mnalc Qknck-]rnbqka

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    J e v c b ~ R c b n k R c ` `

    ]da @arf~ Xjxarv9 J @a`cnr cg ]draa \aaov

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    Nv cka cg }da v~`x}c`v ecvv cg gjn}d3

    Cr gjn}d nk ecvv3

    J`~ Da`xae

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    F c k } a k } v

    ]da Jrrnwje :

    Ecv} jkm Gcqkm :7

    \dara Kc}dnkl Nv 67

    ]da All Lj`a =>

    ]da ]ne} 77

    ]da Bajmv 48

    J Rc`jkfa

    >=

    Kc V`jee Gaj} :84

    \anld} :22

    Faenjv Gnvd :67

    ]da @c}dar Ljrmak :12

    Gj`ne~ Axnf :

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    ] D A J R R N W J E

    @~ `c}darv lcnkl }c mna+ ]dnv nv gjf}+ Jkm}dara jra }dnklv }dj} qv} ba mcka+ Ejv} |aao vda

    nkv}rqf}am qv }c mckj}a dar ra}nra`ak} vjwnklv+ @~ gj}dar

    damlam jkm N frnam% bq} vda ra`jnkam r`+ ]dava vcr}v cg

    }dnklv vdcqemk} ba eag} }c }da ejv} `nkq}a% vda vjnm+ Vda

    |jk}am }c okc| |dara }dj} `cka~ |cqem akm qx% jkm vda

    |jv }cc }nram }c `joa }da fjeev darvaeg+ \a mnenlak}e~

    cbenlam% }jonkl kc}av qk}ne |am fc`xneam jk atdjqv}nwa

    jrrj~ cg xcvvnbnen}nav+ Kc| vdav gqrncqv+ Jg}ar lejkfnkl j}

    }da env}% vdav mafnmam |ara rajm~ }c bqr~ dar+

    N}v }cc qfd rajen}~ gcr `a% vda vj~v+ \dak vda frnav%

    }da ct~lak }qbav la} fecllam jkm vda djv }c xqee }da` cq}+

    ]dak vda fjk} braj}da+ @~ gj}darv lcka cq} gcr j |jeo% jv

    da je|j~v mcav rnld} bagcra vda brajov mc|k+ N` eag}

    |j}fdnkl }da cfajk cq} }da |nkmc|% }r~nkl }c jrrjkla }da

    xrcbea`v nk}c vc`a}dnkl |a fjk }jeo jbcq}+

    \a mck} djwa }c mc }dnv kc|% N vj~+ $Cr awar+ ^cq

    |ara }da cka |dc vak} qv ck }dnv jbvqrm nvvnck+. N |jk} dar

    }c ecco v}rckl% }c v}jkm qx jkm v}jr} xq}}nkl }da mnvdav j|j~+

    :

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    @~ `c}dar vdjoav dar dajm+

    N mck} |jk} }c mna% vda vj~v+ Vdav baak |ajrnkl }da

    vj`a beqa flaafa ynxxar rcba gcr mj~v+ Vda xqeev j Oeaakatgrc` }da bct% ~jkov }da }qbav% jkm eccov enoa vdav v}rjk-

    lenkl+ N v}jkm mq`be~ kat} }c dar% v}jrnkl j} }da }cx cg dar

    dajm+

    Nwa baak wnvn}nkl `~ xjrak}v j} }danr bajfd fjbnk jee

    |aao+ N}v |jr` gcr ajre~ vxrnkl+ N fjk vn} ck }da mafo |n}d-

    cq} j ijfoa} jkm |j}fd }da |jwav dn} rcfov+ Vc`a}n`avflcfov cg bnrmv ejkm ck }da frjll~ cq}frcxxnklv+ Vc`a}n`av

    j vdnkl bcj} jxxajrv ck }da dcrnyck+

    ]da fjbnk rav}v ck j beqgg cq}vnma jfdj}v% j v`jee Cra-

    lck bajfd }c|k+ ]da ga| kanldbcrv oaax }danr mnv}jkfa%

    kc} okc|nkl |dj} }c vj~ }c j djnreavv |c`jk |dc xq}v jk

    ct~lak fjknv}ar nk }da vaj} cg dar |daaefdjnr% }c}}arnkljecklvnma n}% }qbav xqevnkl jkm dnvvnkl+ J ka| dcqva nv

    bankl bqne} qx }da rcjm? vc`amj~ vcck }da mqka lrjvv |nee

    ba eeam |n}d dcqvav+ ]da~ee cbvfqra }da cfajk wna|+ Gj`-

    nenav |nee xjro fjrv ck vxjroenkl fa`ak}? onmv |nee vfj}}ar

    }c~v ck ka| ej|kv+ Bq} kc| }darav cke~ vo~ jkm vaj jkm j

    djkmgqe cg lrj~nkl |ccm fjbnkv+ Frjb ka}v djkl grc`

    xcrfdav+ Mrng}|ccm `cbneav fej}}ar nk }da |nkm+ Ng ~cq

    iq`x mc|k }da rcfov% ~cq jra je`cv} je|j~v jecka |n}d }da

    frjvd cg |jwav% }da fr~ cg lqeev% }da djrm rnmlav cg vjkm

    qkmar ~cqr gaa}+

    Mc ~cq |jk} vc`a eqkfd3 N jvo `~ `c}dar+ Vdav

    fje`am mc|k j bn}% dar a~av gcfqvam ck }da brnld} enld}v cg

    }da }aeawnvnck+ Ej}ae~% |dak vda vn}v nk }da fdjnr% v}jrnkl j}

    }da vfraak% vda eccov fdnemenoan}v nk }da mc|k|jrm xqee

    cg dar bc}}c` enx% }da |j~ dar fdaaov djwa xqggam cq} grc`

    v}arcnmv+

    Kc }djkov% vda vj~v+ N rcc} jrcqkm }da grnmla jkm km

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K2

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    j ejrla fck}jnkar cg ~clqr}+ Grc` }da mafo% N vaa `~ gj}dar

    jkm }da mclv |jeonkl bjfo }c }da fjbnk+ Dnv bjm okaa

    `joav dnv ljn} rafclknyjbea grc` j mnv}jkfa+ Rd~}d`nf jkmvec|% da waarv xarxa}qjee~ eag}+ Dav }joak }c |ajrnkl j

    ka|v fjx% enoa jk cem `jk+

    J ga| `nkq}av ej}ar% }da mclv% Xnfc jkm Enej% bcqkm qx

    }da v}jnrv+ ]da~ |jl jkm mrcce% venma jrcqkm }da |ccm

    flccrv+ @~ `c}dar nlkcrav }da`+ @~ gj}dar ecxav qx% va}v

    dnv fcj} ck }da bjknv}ar% jkm lcav nk}c }da bamrcc`+ Daee}joa j kjx kc|+ Jkm }da mclv |nee fje` mc|k jkm gceec|

    dn`+ Jkm `~ `c}dar |nee becfo cq} }da |crem+ Jkm N |nee

    v}jra j} ~ gaa} jkm gaae vc zqna} n} fcqem ba j vxaee }dj} |jv

    fjv} cwar `a+

    ^av}armj~ }da }draa cg qv |ara vn}}nkl zqna}e~ ck }da mafo%

    }r~nkl }c gaae }da vqk }drcqld }da |nkm+ Kc cka vxcoa+ @~

    `c}dar fecvam dar a~av+ @~ gj}dar ljyam j} }da |j}ar+ N

    kc}am dc| }da mafo |jvk} `jma cg raje |ccm? n} |jv j

    |anrm v~k}da}nf |ccm% lrj~ enoa jee }da raje |ccm ck }da

    rav} cg }da dcqva% kc} brc|k enoa }da |ccm |cqem djwa

    baak |dak }da dcqva |jv ka|+ Jkm N |ckmaram |da}dar

    }da mafo |jv jk jmm-ck% bqne} }c `j}fd }da lrj~ |ccm% cr

    |da}dar j} cka xcnk} }da brc|k dcqva v}ccm ck }da lrjvv

    |n}d j lrj~ mafo j}}jfdam enoa j xrcv}da}nf en`b+ ]dak `~

    gj}dar vdc} qx% dnv vxnka j mjr}+ J |djea* da frnam%

    maenld}am cr mnv}ravvam% n} |jv djrm }c }aee? da xcnk}am j} }da

    beqa-bejfo atxjkva+

    @~ `c}dar kcmmam wnlcrcqve~ jv N vzqnk}am cq} nk}c

    }da beqakavv+ Ecco j} }da rccg }c }da rnld}% vda vjnm%

    xcnk}nkl dar `jknfqram kjne }c|jrm }da wjv}kavv+ ]dak

    ecco v}rjnld} cq}+ N fcqemk} vaa n}+

    6]da Jrr nwj e

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    N} |jv iqv} }da vxcq}nkl }da~ vj|? |j}ar nk }da mnv}jkfa

    a`arlnkl grc` `cra |j}ar nk }da mnv}jkfa% bq} n} vaa`am

    }c joa }da` fdaargqe gcr j |dnea+ Kc|% vn}}nkl dara ck }damafo |n}d ~ bc|e cg ~clqr}% N }dnko N vaa vc`a}dnkl cw-

    nkl+ N} fcqem ba j v`jee ecl v}rj~nkl grc` cka cg }da `neev

    qx }da fcjv}+ N} fcqem ba j ejrla xnafa cg gcj`+ @j~ba n}v j

    vaj enck3

    Da~* N fjee nk}c }da dcqva+ ]darav vc`a}dnkl nk }da

    |j}ar* @~ `c}dar }qrkv+ @j~ba j en}}ea |djea3 N |jk}n} }c ba j |djea+ Xeajva Lcm% N okc| ~cq mck} enoa qv% bq}

    ng ~cqra env}aknkl% ea} n} ba j |djea

    Rajee~3 @~ `c}dar dcnv}v darvaeg qx jkm }qlv j} }da

    }qbnkl+ Vda eq`barv cwar }c }da mafo+ N xcnk} v}rjnld}

    jdajm+

    @~ xjrak}v bamrcc` |nkmc| eccov cwar }da cxxcvn}avnma cg }da mafo% jkm `~ gj}dar% qk|neenkl }c `nvv ejrla

    enga awak}v enoa }dnv% jxxajrv j} }da vfraak mccr |n}d dnv

    bnkcfqejrv+

    \dara3 da vj~v+ \a vn} nk vneakfa+ Jkm }dak% fecva }c

    }da vdcra% }da }dnkl bcbv jljnk+ ]dnv }n`a n}v ljkle~% v}rql-

    lenkl+ N}v kc} j |djea+

    Cd Lcm% N vj~+ @~ gj}dar va}v dnv bnkcfqejrv mc|k+

    ]da xarvck lenmav ck j |jwa jkm frj|ev ck}c vdcra% fce-

    ejxvnkl j ga| gaa} grc` }da }nma enka+

    Lc mc|k }dara% `~ `c}dar vj~v+ Mjwnm% lc vaa

    |dj}v lcnkl ck+ @~ gj}dar jmiqv}v dnv bnkcfqejrv jkm xq}v

    }da` bjfo qx }c dnv gjfa+

    N}v j |c`jk% da vj~v+

    \aee% lc mc|k jkm vaa ng vda kaamv daex*

    @~ gj}dar lrnxv }da rjnenkl+

    Nee lc% N vj~+

    J v}rckl braaya bec|v }da brc|knvd lrjvv }c|jrm }da

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K=

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    |j}ar% `jonkl n} ecco vnewar+ Mavxn}a }da xrctn`n}~ cg }da

    bajfd% n}v djrm }c la} }c }da vjkm grc` dara+ V}aax% vdjrx

    rcfov iq} grc` }da beqgg+]da |c`jk nv vxrj|eam gjfamc|k ck }da vjkm% xje`v

    cxak% dar beckm djnr mjroakam b~ }da |j}ar+ Vda |ajrv

    mnr}~ |dn}a fjxrn xjk}v jkm j xnko v|aj}ar+

    Da~* N fjee grc` }da }cx cg }da rcfov+ @~ gj}dar

    jxxrcjfdav+ \n}dcq} dnv dj}% dnv bjem vxc} vdnkav nk }da vqk+

    N vzqj}% mjklea cka eal }c|jrm }da bajfd% jkm iq`x+ @~gj}dar v}j~v r`e~ xejk}am ck }da lrjvv jbcwa+

    Vdav jbcq} `~ jla% ej}a }|ak}nav% ajre~ }dnr}nav jkm

    xra}}~% |n}d grafoeav jfrcvv dar }jkkam gjfa+ J }dnfo vnewar

    brjfaea} xaaov grc` }da rnxxam veaawa cg dar v|aj}ar+ Vdav

    `nvvnkl cka vdca? }da }cakjnev ck dar bjra gcc} vdn``ar

    |n}d xqrxea xcenvd+\dj}v djxxaknkl3 `~ gj}dar fjeev+

    Kc}dnkl% N ~aee bjfo+ Vda }|n}fdav venld}e~% xrcxv dar-

    vaeg qx ck jk aebc|% jkm iarov dar dajm enoa vda djv |j}ar

    nk dar ajr+ J }rnfoea rqkv grc` dar kcva% la}v fjqld} rnld}

    jbcwa dar fqrw~ enxv+

    Da~* `~ gj}dar ~aeev+ \a }qrk }c ecco j} dn`+ Da

    |jwav+

    N }joa j }nvvqa cq} cg `~ xcfoa} jkm dcem n} cq} }c dar+

    Vda lrjbv dar fqrev% |rnklv }da` cq}+

    \dj} }da daee% vda vj~v% ecconkl mc|k j} dar bcm~+

    Lc la} j }c|ae% N fjee qx }c ~ gj}dar+ Da v}jkmv }dara

    gcr j `c`ak} enoa da |jk}v }c vj~ vc`a}dnkl% }dak da

    }qrkv% lejkfnkl bjfo cwar dnv vdcqemar% jkm waarv eag}

    }c|jrm }da dcqva+

    Vda vdjoav dar dajm% }qrkv j|j~ grc` `a% jkm eccov

    nk}c }da vo~+ @nv} rceev vec|e~ nk cgg }da cfajk% brnklnkl

    |n}d n} j vec|% fcem |nkm+ Vda `cwav qkfc`gcr}jbe~ gcr j

    1]da Jrr nwj e

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    `c`ak}% |rn}dnkl nk dar vonk+ ]dak vda lrjbv }da veaawav

    cg dar v|aj}ar jkm ~jkov n} cwar dar dajm+ Vda dcemv n}

    j|j~ grc` dar% }|nv}v }da |j}ar cq}% jkm va}v n} kaj}e~bavnma dar ck }da vjkm+ Dar vat~ ejfa fj`nvcea `j}fdav }da

    xqrxea cg dar }cakjnev+

    N} |cqem ba knfa cg ~cq }c }aee `a |dj}v lcnkl ck

    dara% vda vj~v+ Vdav vkjrenkl venld}e~% lnwnkl `a }da vj`a

    enx-cg-mnvmjnk }da beckm fda`c kqrva je|j~v lnwav `~

    `c}dar% jv ng xq}}nkl }da kaamea nk }da xcr} nv lcnkl }c mj`-jla dar kjnev% jv ng kc cka nk kqrvnkl vfdcce djm |jrkam dar

    }dj} gcr }dnv xjr}nfqejr icb% ~cq |ara lcnkl }c djwa }c}cqfd

    }da vnfo+

    @~ gj}dar }rc}v bjfo |n}d }da }c|ae+

    Dara ~cq lc* da fjeev% jkm }cvvav n} mc|k }c qv+ N}

    ejkmv ck }da rcfov j ga| gaa} j|j~+Vda lejrav j} `a% |jn}nkl+

    N djwa kc nmaj |dj}v lcnkl ck% N vj~ }c dar+ N}v cka cg

    }da cem brc|k mcl }c|aev grc` }da ljrjla jkm N` a`bjr-

    rjvvam }c lnwa n} }c dar+ Mc ~cq |jk} }c mr~ cgg3 Vda

    vkj}fdav }da }c|ae+

    \dj}awar% vda vj~v jkm xj}v j} dar djnr+ Vda eccov j}

    `a jv ngNwa iqv} |jvdam qx ck dar bajfd+ \darav `~

    c}dar vdca3

    Dar kj`a nv Lrjfna jkm vda djv kc fdcnfa+ Vda djv }c fc`a

    bjfo }c }da dcqva+ \a djwa j vdc|ar% j xdcka+ Vda fjk l-

    qra cq} |dj} }c mc+ Vda vfrjxav dar gcc} ck }da rcfo~

    nkfenka jkm }dak |jeov v}ngge~ kat} }c `~ gj}dar jkm `a%

    jfrcvv }da xrnfoe~ lrjvv+

    Jra ~cq jee rnld}3 ~ gj}dar jvov dar% dnv wcnfa lrjwa+

    N` ka% vda vj~v+ N}v j mccrv}cx cg j }cka+

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K7

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    @~ c}dar v}jkmv b~ }da }cx cg }da v}jnrv% |jn}nkl+ ]da

    ct~lak dnvvav j en}}ea }qka qx dar kcva+ Lrjfna eccov j} `~

    `c}dar jkm graayav+ N}v je|j~v mnggnfqe}% }dnv `c`ak}|j}fdnkl v}rjklarv jvvavv jkm jbvcrb `~ `c}darv mnvxej~

    cg bcmne~ mafenka+

    Lrjfna mrnxv |j}ar ck}c }da |ccm flccr+

    @c`% }dnv nv Lrjfna+ Lrjfna% }dnv nv Aeeak+

    Daeec% Lrjfna vj~v% }jonkl }da kje ga| v}axv }c|jrm

    dar+ Vdav wnvnbe~ qkfc`gcr}jbea% vdnwarnkl% jkm N fjk vaadar ravarwj}nck jv vda at}akmv dar djkm+ Vcrr~ }c nk}rqma+

    @~ `c}dar }joav Lrjfnav djkm nk bc}d cg dar c|k+

    ^cq ecco dc| N gaae% majr% vda vj~v% v`nenkl }da brnld}

    v`nea `~ gj}dar jkm N djwak} vaak nk `ck}dv+ Lrjfna

    v`neav }cc+ Dar }aa}d jra cbwncqve~ fjxxam+

    N` xq}}nkl qx |j}ar gcr }aj% `~ `c}dar vj~v% vdqg-flnkl }c|jrm }da v}cwa+ \d~ mck} ~cq dcx nk }da vdc|ar

    jkm Knkjee la} ~cq vc`a mr~ fec}dav }c xq} ck+ Vda

    mcavk} ecco j} `a |dak vda vj~v }dnv+ ]dara jra }c|aev

    qkmar }da vnko+ Jkm ng ~cq kaam }c qva }da xdcka% lc jdajm+

    ]darav cka nk }da bamrcc`+

    Lrjfna mnvjxxajrv nk}c }da bj}drcc`+

    \dj} djxxakam3 `~ `c}dar |dnvxarv+

    N djwa kc nmaj% N |dnvxar bjfo+ Vda |jvk} atjf}e~

    gcr}dfc`nkl+ Nk gjf}% vdav onkm cg bn}fd~+

    @~ c}dar }qrkv j|j~ grc` a+ Gcr Lcmv vjoa% Knkj+

    N fjk} n`jlnka ~cqm ba Xcee~jkkj ng ~cq |ara |a} jkm fcem+

    \dj} mc ~cq atxaf}3 N }qrk }c `~ gj}dar gcr bjfoqx% bq}

    dav wjknvdam bjfo nk}c }da bamrcc` |n}d }da mclv+

    @~ `c}dar lcav }c }da grnmla jkm v}jr}v }jonkl cq}

    vjkm|nfd gccm+

    N fjk mc }dj}% N vj~% rajfdnkl gcr }da fqfq`bar+ Vda

    v|nklv n} j|j~+

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    Fck}rjr~ }c xcxqejr baenag% vda vj~v% rjnvnkl dar a~a-

    brc|v% N` kc} majm ~a}+ Dar ct~lak }qba la}v fjqld} ck

    }da v}cce b~ }da bjr+ N qkdcco n}+ Vda ~jkov }da vejfo }c|jrmdar jkm la}v cq} }da xaaear+

    Lc la} Lrjfna vc`a fec}dav% vda vj~v jljnk% |djfo-

    nkl }da fqfq`bar |n}d }da bejma+

    N }joa }da v}jnrv vec|e~+ Nv }dnv iqv} iajecqv~3 ]dj} N fjk}

    `joa `~ `c}dar v}jkm qx gcr eqkfd3 ]dj} vda djvk}

    fjeeam a majr nk jlav3 ]da |j}ar grc` }da vdc|ar rq`-beav+ Awar~ }n`a Lrjfna flnxv dar djnr qx }dara% N fjk dajr

    }da vejx cg |j}ar jljnkv} }da flccr+

    N}v baak `ck}dv vnkfa Nwa vaak `~ `c}dar jkn`j}am+

    Nk }da ejv} ck}dv vdam }qrkam mcqr jkm brccmnkl% ~aeenkl

    j} `~ gj}dar jkm `a gcr cqr |crrnam eccov% cqr bjm }jv}a

    nk cwnav% cqr cwarajlar |neenklkavv }c ba zqna}+ Cr |crva%vdam vn} j} }da }jbea jkm v}jra j} }da ka|vxjxar+ Ng ~cq

    }jeoam }c dar% vda |cqem xra}akm kc} }c dajr+ Vda |jv jma

    cg lrjkn}a% vda |jv |jn}nkl qv cq}+

    N mnmk} xjfo `qfd gcr }dnv }rnx+ N vn} bavnma `~ vqn}fjva

    jkm klar `~ ram vdnr}+ N vdcqem djwa }joak j xjnr cg qle~%

    xjnk}-v}jnkam v|aj}v+ Vc`a mnr}~ vcfov+ J }qroa~ fcv}q`a+

    Bjfo qxv}jnrv% N va} }da fec}dav ck }da on}fdak bjr+

    Lc okcfo jkm lnwa }da` }c Lrjfna% `~ `c}dar vj~v+

    Vdav fq}}nkl j xaaeam fqfq`bar gcr }da fraj` fdaava vjkm-

    |nfdav jkm vda eccov mnggarak}j ga| nkfdav }jeear% dar

    kafo v}rjnld}% vdcqemarv vzqjra+

    N v}jkm nk grck} cg }da bj}drcc` mccr+ N}v zqna} nk }dara+

    @~ okcfo vcqkmv ecqm+

    ^av3 Lrjfna vnklv+ Fc`a nk* N cxak }da mccr+ Vda

    }qrkv }c|jrm `a% |rjxxam nk cka cg `~ `c}darv ram eqt-

    qr~ bj}d vdaa}v+ Vda rqkv `~ `c}darv |ccmak brqvd

    }drcqld dar djnr`~ c}darv brqvd3 \dara mnm vda mnl

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K4

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    }dj} cq} grc`3 @~ `c}darv a~a vdjmc| jkm gcqkmj}nck

    jra ck }da fcqk}ar jv |aee+

    ]djkov% vda vj~v% xeqfonkl }da fec}dav grc` `~djkmv+ Vda }joav }da mccr jkm% |n}d j v`nea }dj}v }nld}-

    enxxam jkm jee a~av% lak}e~ vdq}v `a cq}+

    Bjfo nk }da on}fdak% `~ `c}dar va}v }da en}}ea vjkm-

    |nfdav ck dar knfav} xej}}ar+ Vdav fq} qx crjklav% xejfnkl

    }da` jrcqkm }da vjkm|nfdav enoa en}}ea vqk rj~v+ J fqx cg

    `nk} }aj v}aj`v bavnma n}% gcr Lrjfna+]dj}v xra}}~% N vj~+

    Lc va} }da }jbea% vda vj~v+

    N va} cq} }da xej}av% dajw~ vnewar|jra% }jee v}rnxam lejvvav+

    J |c`jk nk `~ `c}darv vqxxcr} lrcqx `jma }da xejfa

    `j}v+ ]da~ra ej`nkj}am fcxnav cg xjv}ae xjrrc}v+ Lrjfna

    a`arlav ecconkl enoa vdav dj}fdam grc` }da fak}ar cg jgec|ar% jk cwarvnyam ]dq`baenkj+ Dar beckm fqrev djkl

    dajw~% }c|ae-mrnam nk}c mj`x rnklea}v+ Dar ejko~ bcm~

    mcav vc`a}dnkl ka| }c ~ fec}dav+ ]da xjk}v djkl ck dar%

    vqllav}nkl eckl% vdjxae~ ealv+ ]da vdnr} lj}darv |dara vdav

    xqvdam qx }da veaawav+ Vda lenmav }c }da }jbea+

    ]dj}v vc xra}}~% vda atfejn`v% ecconkl mc|k j} }da

    vjkm|nfd xej}}ar+ N} nv xra}}~+ N} eccov enoa jk amnbea jkmjej+

    ]djkov% majr% `~ `c}dar vj~v+ Mjwnm3 vda fjeev+

    Fc`a gcr eqkfd+

    \a }joa cqr vaj}v jrcqkm }da }jbea+ ]da |nkmc|v

    badnkm n} v}ra}fd grc` flccr }c fanenkl% lrn`~ grc` }da vje}

    nk }da jnr+ Cq}vnma }da cfajk mcav n}v cfajk }dnkl+ N}v beqa

    jkm fckv}jk}e~ nk `c}nck% aj}nkl j|j~ j} }da rcfov% lrnkm-

    nkl xnko vdaeev jkm lraak bc}}eav nk}c vjkm+

    @~ gj}dar eccov j} }da vjkm|nfdav jkm gcr j `c`ak}

    da vaa`v xqyyeam+ ]dak da `jkaqwarv cka cgg }da xej}}ar

    vc }dj} }da fqfq`bar ljrknvd gjeev nk}c j dcea+

    >]da Jrr nwj e

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    N}v baak vqfd j ecwae~ |aao% `~ `c}dar vj~v+ ]da

    ct~lak dnvvav% v}cxv% jkm dnvvav+

    @~ gj}dar vj~v% ^cq fjk vaa feajr cq} }c Fdnkj+Lrjfna v`neav% dcemnkl j vjkm|nfd qx+ N}v v}qkknkl

    dara% vda vj~v+ ^cqwa lc} j lraj} xnafa cg xrcxar}~+

    J} rv}% |dak }da fjkfar v}jr}am% |a brcoa mc|k% |a lc}

    jklr~% |a maknam n} |jv djxxaknkl+ @~ c}dar vxak} }dcq-vjkmv cg mceejrv ck ka| jxxenjkfav+ $Dc| fcqem vda mna ng

    vda djm j V|amnvd |jvdnkl jfdnka }c xj~ cgg3. \dak vda

    |ak} nk}c dar cke~ ra`nvvnck% |a xra}akmam vdam kawar

    baak vnfo+ \a nlkcram }da xjv} ~ajr+ N} |jv j bjm ~ajr% nv-

    badjwnkl+ Bq} |dak }da fjkfar ra}qrkam `ck}dv ej}ar%

    becc`nkl enoa j |aam nk dar fdav}% |a v}jr}am }c gnld}+ Nkjllam `~ `c}dar jbcq} dc`acxj}dnf fqrav% vxafnje mna}v

    }dj} nkwcewam aj}nkl kc}dnkl bq} vaamv+ @~ gj}dar nkwak}am

    |j~v cg v}j~nkl cq} cg }da dcqva+ Bq} kc|% anld} ~ajrv ej}ar%

    |ara `jma cg j bakmjbea vqbv}jkfa+ \a env}ak }c grnakmv

    |dcwa kawar ecv} jk~cka }aee qv n}v jee xjr} cg engav `~v}arn-

    cqv f~fea+ Awar~cka mnav% |a raxaj}+ ]dnv nv kc}dnkl vxafnje%

    }da |j~ vda vn}v jee mj~% grcyak nk ra`crva jkm gajr% dc| vda

    |nkfav |n}d xjnk |dak ~cq eajk nk }c dql dar+ V}cx% vda

    vj~v% }da |crm `jma `cra grc` jnr }djk kcnva+ ]dava

    }dnklv jra kc| jv kcr`je jv }aj nk }da jg}arkcck% |nkm cwar

    }da vaj+ \awa lcka grc` dcxnkl gcr `nrjfea fqrav }c iqv}

    dcxnkl }da vjkm|nfdav jra lccm+

    ]dava jra lccm% N vj~+ ]da~ jra lccm+ Vje}~ jkm

    fraj`~ |n}d j knfa% frnvx vkjx |dak ~cq bn}a nk}c }da

    fqfq`bar+

    N ecwa ~cqr kjnev% Lrjfna vj~v% eajknkl cwar }c nkvxaf}

    `~ `c}darv djkmv+ @~ `c}dar djv oax} qx dar bn|aaoe~

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K:8

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    `jknfqra+ ]dj} fcecr eccov vc lccm |n}d ~cqr vonk }cka+

    ^cqwa lc} vqfd xjea vonk% enoa j mceev+

    N djwa }dnv |c`jk nk Aqlaka% ~ c}dar vj~v+ Vdavj `nrjfea+

    \dak |ara knvdam aj}nkl% `~ `c}dar nkwn}av Lrjfna

    ck}c }da mafo+ Lrjfna v}jfov vc`a xej}av jkm djkmv }da`

    cwar }c `a+ @~ `c}dar venmav cxak }da mccr+

    Jrak} ~cq }nram3 N jvo dar+ N} vcqkmv enoa jk jffqvj-

    }nck+ Qvqjee~% jg}ar vda vn}v qxrnld} gcr j |dnea% vda djv }cena mc|k jkm qva }da braj}dnkl `jfdnka nk }da bamrcc`+

    N` ka% Knkj% vda vj~v% xq}}nkl dar djkm ck Lrjfnav

    bjfo jv }da~ v}ax cq}vnma+

    Grc` }da |nkmc| jbcwa }da vnko% N fjk vaa `~ `c}dar

    jkm Lrjfna+ Lrjfnav djnr bec|v vnma|j~v+ @~ `c}dar

    v}jkmv kajr }da rjnenkl+ Vda vj~v vc`a}dnkl+ Lrjfna ejqldvjkm xq}v dar djkm ck `~ `c}darv vdcqemar+

    Lrjfna djvk} awak lejkfam j} }da xdcka+ Mcavk} jk~-

    cka kaam }c okc| }dj} vda iqv} |jvdam qx grc` j gcj`~

    vaj% }dj} vdav |ajrnkl j m~nkl |c`jkv beqvd nk j dcqva

    gqee cg dnvvnkl }qbav jkm bj}}aram lraak fjknv}arv3

    @~ gj}dar vn}v ck }da vcgj% rajmnkl }da xjxar+ Xnfc rav}v kajr

    dnv ealv% Enej kajr }da a`x}~ raxejfa+ N la} ck }da flccr jkm

    xq} `~ dajm ck Enejv |nr~ fdav}+ Vda eng}v dar dajm }c

    lejkfa j} a% maaxe~ atdjqv}am% }da |dn}a djnrv jrcqkm dar

    kcva vxrajmnkl cq} }c|jrm dar a~av+ ]dak vda xq}v dar

    dajw~ dajm bjfo mc|k+

    \dj} mc ~cq }dnko }da maje nv |n}d }dj} Lrjfna fdjr-

    jf}ar3 `~ mjm vj~v% xq}}nkl }da xjxar jvnma+

    N okc|% N vj~% rceenkl cgg }da mclv fdav}+ \daram

    vda fc`a grc`3

    ::]da Jrr nwj e

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    Nvk} }dara j xej~ jbcq} }dnv3 `~ gj}dar jvov+ Vdav

    lcnkl }c gcce qv jee nk}c }dnkonkl vdav cka cg qv% }dak vdav

    lcnkl }c v}aje }da mclv+ Cr }da fjrv+Cr vc`a}dnkl% N vj~+ @c` vaa`v }c enoa dar+

    ^ajd% da vj~v% ljynkl j} }da ej`x nk }da fcrkar cg }da

    rcc`+ Vda mcav% mcavk} vda3

    \dak `~ `c}dar enoav vc`a}dnkl% `~ gj}dar nv

    j`jyam+ Daee bq~ rjvxbarr~ vcmj jkm vdaee venko cgg }c k-

    nvd }da bc}}ea jkm daee fc`a nk}c `~ rcc` }c raxcr} }dj}vda enoam n}* Vda enoam n}*

    Bq} `j~ba }dnv nv }da rnld} |j~ }c maje |n}d }da m~nkl9

    Vda enoav fraj` xqggv3 \aee brnkl dar fraj` xqggv+ Vda

    |jk}v }c ~aee j} qv gcr rak}nkl jkc}dar `cwna |n}d j m~nkl

    |c`jk nk n} $n} mnmk} vj~ n} ck }da bct% |a fdafoam*.% }dak

    ~aee j|j~* N}v dar |crem? |ara iqv} djklnkl jrcqkm% }r~-nkl }c oaax n} }qrknkl+

    @~ gj}dar xq}v }da ka|vxjxar mc|k+ Xnfc v}jrav j} dn`%

    dnv a~av en}}ea `jfdnkav cg |jk}+

    Xnfcv vc xjvvnckj}a% `~ gj}dar vj~v% ecconkl bjfo j}

    }da mcl+ N ecwa Xnfc+

    ]da lejvv mccr cxakv+ @~ `c}dar vec|e~ `cwav cwar

    }da }dravdcem% Lrjfna badnkm dar+

    N` lcnkl }c }joa }da mclv cq}% `~ gj}dar vj~v+

    N` lcnkl }c ena mc|k gcr j bn}% `~ c}dar vj~v% jo-

    nkl dar |j~ mc|k }da djee|j~+ N gceec| dar jkm vdq} }da

    mccr+ Vda vn}v ck dar bnl }qrzqcnva bam+

    Fjk ~cq dcco qx }da bnxjx3 vda vj~v% eng}nkl }da jvo+

    Ckfa vda v}rjxv }dj} `ckv}ar ck% vdaee ba qkjbea }c }jeo+

    Dc| jra ~cq3 N jvo+ Vda dj}av bankl jvoam }dnv+ Vdav

    }cem `a }dnv cwar jkm cwar jljnk+ N` xajfd~ oaak* vdaee

    vj~+ Kawar ba}}ar* \d~3 Mc N ecco vnfo3

    Gnka% vda vj~v+ ]nram+

    ] D A @ C ] D A R L J R M A K:2

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    ]da vjkm|nfdav |ara lccm% N vj~+ Vda gnmmeav |n}d

    }da mnje cg }da bnxjx `jfdnka+ Vc |dj}v }da maje |n}d

    Lrjfna3 N jvo+ @~ `c}dar eccov qx j} `a% vqrxrnvam+ Dara~abrc|v jra }dnk grc` }da mrqlv jkm |dak vda rjnvav

    }da`% }da~ la} ecv} nk }da flavd cg dar gcradajm+

    Vdav j ecwae~ lnre% `~ `c}dar vj~v+ Vda lra| qx nk

    \nvfckvnk+ Dar gj}darv jk cr}dcmck}nv}+

    Vc dc|m vda |nkm qx dara3 N jvo+

    @~ `c}dar vdrqlv+ V|n}fd }da }qbav gcr `a+ Jkm nkj gjv} xqee-v}rjx `c}nck% vdav lc} }da `jvo vafqram+ ]da

    en}}ea `c}cr nk }da lrj~ bct balnkv }c vnkl+ N lc }c }da fc`-

    xravvcr jkm xqee }da }qbnkl nk+

    ]da dcqva nv vneak}+ @~ lrjkm`c}darv cne xjnk}nklv cggcrav}v jkm vqkva}v enka }da v}jnr|aee }c `~ bamrcc`+

    Cd* vj~v Lrjfna% xq}}nkl mc|k }da xcrfaejnk bct }dj}

    vn}v b~ `~ bam+ N mnmk} dajr ~cq+

    Vda eccov lqne}~+ @~ mjmv rnld}+ \aee }qrk jrcqkm }c

    la} }da `neo cq} cg }da grnmla jkm cgg vdaee lc |n}d }da

    fdafobccov% }da framn} fjrmv% `~ `c}darv |ammnkl rnkl+

    N |jv ecconkl gcr `~ brjfaea}% vda vj~v+

    \aee+ N}v kc} dara% N vj~+ @j~ba fdafo }da bj}d-

    rcc`+

    ajd% lccm nmaj+ Lrjfna mla}v jkm balnkv }c v`cc}d

    }da bamvxrajm |n}d }da vnma cg dar djkm+ \dak vda knvdav

    }dj}% vda v}qmnav dar gnklarv jv ng j vafra} vfrcee `nld} ba

    dnmmak nk dar kjne bam+ ^cqr c`v lraj}% vda vj~v+ Vqfd

    j ld}ar+

    ]djkov% N vj~+

    @~ c`v majm% vda vj~v+ Dar a~av }rjkvgcr`% gqee cg

    }ajrv+

    :6]da Jrr nwj e

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    N` vcrr~% N vj~% bq} n} fc`av cq} jma cg rcfov+ Vdav

    |ajrnkl `~ ajrrnklv+

    Lrjfna gceec|v `~ ljya+ Dar djkmv fl~ }c dar ajrv+N` vcrr~% vda vj~v% |nkfnkl+ N |jv iqv} }r~nkl }da`

    ck}da~ra war~ xra}}~+

    Djrm }c ravnv}% N vj~+ @j~ba n}v kc} j lccm nmaj gcr ~cq

    }c v}j~ dara+ Fjk |a la} ~cq j rcc` nk }c|k gcr }da knld}3

    Lrjfna frq`xeav vnma|j~v ck}c }da bam+ Vdav j raje

    gjqfa} kc|% la}}nkl `jvfjrj ck `~ xjea ~aeec| xneec|v+ Nv}rqllea }c }dnko cg |dj} |crmv }c }cvv nk }da vneakfa }dj}

    |nee cxak qx ba}|aak qv% bq} N` vjwam |dak vda balnkv jk

    akarla}nf rcqkm cg vcbv+ Vda vcqkmv enoa j lccva+

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