Mr. Moti by Rahad Abir

Economy and education are two major factors that segregate people in a society. ‘Mr. Moti’ is a story by a Bangladeshi writer Rahad Abir. Read the two sections of the story and try to understand the identity of people belonging to different social classes. Also, think about how the human world and animals/birds are inter-related.

Ameen is seventeen when the war breaks out. One Monday, after supper, he announces he will go to war. Sonabhan shrieks in surprise. You want to leave me alone?

It won’t take long, Ma, he assures her. I’ll be back soon after the training.

That night Sonabhan cannot sleep.

After sun-up, she opens the duck coop. The flock streams out, stretches and quacks around her for their morning meal. She takes longer than usual. She mixes water with rice husks in an earthen bowl and puts it down. They gobble it up in five minutes and head for the pond.

Ameen has let out the chickens by then. He lifts his 12-week-old cockerel, Moti, and sits on the veranda. During his breakfast he doesn’t strike up any conversation. . Having noticed Sonabhan’s puffy eyes, he knows not to mention last night’s subject. He casts his glance to the side, down at the cockerel eating rice in silence.

Today is haat bar, market day. Sonabhan has arranged the things Ameen will take to the bazaar to sell. Two dozen eggs, a sheaf of areca nuts, a bottle gourd. The bazaar is about a mile away.

Ameen wears his short-sleeved floral shirt over his lungi. He whistles as he looks into the cloudy mirror to comb his hair. Placing the rattan basket on his head before setting off, he hollers: I’m off, Ma.

Sonabhan watches him go along the bank of the little river. For the first time it occurs to her that Ameen has grown up. He has reached the height of his dead father, has his long neck and straight shoulders.

In that moment, Sonabhan realizes it’s not the war, it’s the fighting that Ameen is fascinated with. Like his dead father, he is crazy about bullfighting, cockfighting and boat racing. The same stubbornness flows in his blood. Once he decides on something, nothing can stop him.

Her little son! Now a man. Even up to his fifteenth birthday barely a day passed without neighbours appearing with a slew of complaints. Sometimes one or two turned up from other villages. They peeked into the house and asked, Does Ameen live here?

Sonabhan would sigh. What did he do?

Your son stole my date juice! Emptied the juice pots hanging on the date trees! Sonabhan would sigh again. Then ask the visitor to pardon him. She hated saying that she’d raised her son alone. If she could spare them, she would bring half a dozen eggs and hand them to the visitor: Please take these for your children.

At night, Sonabhan climbs out of her bed, clutches the hurricane lamp and tiptoes into Ameen’s room. She stands by his bed, looks at her sleeping son. He snores like his father. He has her light skin and button nose. She touches his cheek. His broad forehead. She suppresses a desire to lie beside him. Like the old days, when she slept cuddling her baby.

A warning comes from old Chowkidar’s young wife. Watch your rooster, she threatens. I don’t want him in my house again.

If someone touches my boy, Sonabhan responds, they’ll see the consequences. She grounds Moti for an entire day. It makes him sad. His forlorn captivity crucifies her. She sets him loose the following morning.

Some boys come and ask Sonabhan to lend them Moti for cockfighting at a fair.

They are happy to pay.

Never, she tells them. He is my son.

Monday dawns without Moti’s crowing. His cold body is resting on its right side. Lying against the basket. Eyes closed. His kingly head down.

With Moti’s basket in her lap, Sonabhan is motionless.

She puts Moti to rest beside her husband’s grave. She sighs, plods across the empty yard, steps onto an empty veranda, crawls into an empty home and sits on the edge of an empty bed.

Another morning breaks…. Noon and afternoon come and go…. The birds in the coops quack and crow….No one lets them out. For the first time, Sonabhan’s doors do not open.

Note: The excerpts of “Mr. Moti” are selected from the complete story included in When the Mango Tree Blossomed: Fifty Short Stories from Bangladesh edited by Niaz Zaman.

মিস্টার মতি — রাহাদ আবীর

অর্থনীতি এবং শিক্ষা সমাজে মানুষকে বিভক্ত করার দুটি প্রধান উপাদান। ‘মিস্টার মতি‘ বাংলাদেশী লেখক রাহাদ আবীরের একটি গল্প। গল্পের দুটি অংশ পড়ে বিভিন্ন সামাজিক শ্রেণীর মানুষের পরিচয় বোঝার চেষ্টা করুন। আরও ভাবুন কিভাবে মানুষের জগত ও পশু–পাখিরা পরস্পর সম্পর্কিত।

আমিনের বয়স সতেরো যখন যুদ্ধ শুরু হয়। এক সোমবার, রাতের খাবারের পর, সে ঘোষণা দেয় যে সে যুদ্ধে যাবে। সোনাভান চমকে উঠে। তুমি আমাকে একা রেখে যেতে চাও?

“এটা বেশি দিন লাগবে না, মা,” সে তাকে আশ্বস্ত করে। “ট্রেনিং শেষ হতেই ফিরে আসব।“

সেই রাতে সোনাভান ঘুমাতে পারে না।

সূর্যোদয়ের পর, সে হাঁসের খোঁপাটি খোলে। ঝাঁক বেরিয়ে আসে, প্রসারিত হয় এবং সকালের খাবারের জন্য তার চারপাশে কিচিরমিচির করে। সে স্বাভাবিকের চেয়ে বেশি সময় নেয়। সে মাটির পাত্রে ভুসি ভাতের সাথে পানি মিশিয়ে রাখে। পাঁচ মিনিটে তারা সব গিলে ফেলে এবং পুকুরের দিকে চলে যায়।

আমিন তখন মুরগিগুলো ছেড়ে দিয়েছে। সে তার বারো সপ্তাহ বয়সী মোরগ, মতি, কে তুলে নেয় এবং বারান্দায় বসে। নাস্তার সময় সে কোন কথোপকথন শুরু করে না। সোনাভানের ফোলা চোখ দেখে সে গত রাতের বিষয়টি উল্লেখ না করার সিদ্ধান্ত নেয়। সে চোখ ফিরিয়ে নেয়, নিচে তাকায়, যেখানে মতি চুপচাপ ভাত খাচ্ছে।

আজ হাটবার, বাজার দিন। সোনাভান আমিনের জন্য বাজারে বিক্রি করার জিনিসপত্র সাজিয়ে রেখেছে। দুই ডজন ডিম, এক গুচ্ছ সুপারি, একটি লাউ। বাজার প্রায় এক মাইল দূরে।

আমিন তার লুঙ্গির উপর ছোট হাতার ফুলওয়ালা শার্ট পরে। সে চিরুনি দিয়ে চুল আঁচড়াতে আঁচড়াতে ঘোলাটে আয়নায় তাকিয়ে শিস দেয়। রটনের ঝুড়ি মাথায় তুলে নেওয়ার আগে সে চিৎকার করে বলে: “মা, আমি চললাম।“

সোনাভান তাকে ছোট নদীর তীর ধরে যেতে দেখে। প্রথমবারের মতো তার মনে হয় আমিন বড় হয়ে গেছে। সে তার মৃত বাবার উচ্চতায় পৌঁছে গেছে, তার দীর্ঘ গলা এবং সোজা কাঁধ নিয়ে।

এই মুহূর্তে সোনাভান বুঝতে পারে যে যুদ্ধ নয়, যুদ্ধের লড়াইয়ের প্রতি আমিনের আকর্ষণ। তার মৃত বাবার মতো, সে ষাঁড়ের লড়াই, মোরগ লড়াই এবং নৌকা দৌড়ের প্রতি পাগল। একই জেদ তার রক্তে প্রবাহিত। একবার সে কিছু সিদ্ধান্ত নিলে, তাকে থামানো যায় না।

তার ছোট ছেলে! এখন একজন পুরুষ। তার পনেরোতম জন্মদিন পর্যন্ত প্রতিদিনই প্রতিবেশীরা অভিযোগ নিয়ে হাজির হত। কখনও কখনও এক বা দুইজন অন্য গ্রাম থেকে আসত। তারা বাড়ির ভিতরে উঁকি মেরে জিজ্ঞাসা করত, “আমিন এখানে থাকে?”

সোনাভান দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলত। “সে কি করেছে?”

“তোমার ছেলে আমার খেজুরের রস চুরি করেছে! খেজুর গাছে ঝোলানো রসের হাড়ি খালি করে দিয়েছে!” সোনাভান আবার দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলত। তারপর অতিথিকে তাকে ক্ষমা করতে বলত। সে একা তার ছেলেকে বড় করেছে বলতে তার ঘৃণা হত। যদি সে পারত, সে অর্ধ ডজন ডিম এনে অতিথির হাতে দিত: “দয়া করে এগুলো তোমার বাচ্চাদের জন্য নিয়ে যাও।“

রাতে, সোনাভান তার বিছানা থেকে উঠে, হারিকেন ল্যাম্পটা ধরে আমিনের ঘরে আস্তে আস্তে যায়। সে তার ছেলের বিছানার পাশে দাঁড়িয়ে, তার ঘুমন্ত ছেলেকে দেখে। সে তার বাবার মতো নাক ডাকে। তার তার হালকা রঙের ত্বক এবং বোতাম নাক। সে তার গালে স্পর্শ করে। তার চওড়া কপাল। সে তার পাশে শুয়ে পড়ার ইচ্ছা দমন করে। সেই পুরোনো দিনগুলোর মতো, যখন সে তার শিশুকে জড়িয়ে ধরে ঘুমাত।

পুরানো চৌকিদারের যুবতী স্ত্রী থেকে একটি সতর্কতা আসে। “তোমার মোরগটার দিকে নজর রাখ,” সে হুমকি দেয়। “আমি তাকে আবার আমার বাড়িতে দেখতে চাই না।“

“কেউ যদি আমার ছেলেকে স্পর্শ করে,” সোনাভান জবাব দেয়, “তারা ফল ভোগ করবে।” সে মতিকে সারাদিনের জন্য বন্দী করে রাখে। এতে সে দুঃখ পায়। তার নির্জন বন্দীত্ব তাকে কষ্ট দেয়। পরের দিন সকালে সে তাকে মুক্ত করে দেয়।

কিছু ছেলে এসে সোনাভানকে মেলায় মোরগ লড়াইয়ের জন্য মতি কে ধার দিতে বলে।

তারা খুশি হয়ে দাম দিতে রাজি।

“কখনও না,” সে তাদের বলে। “সে আমার ছেলে।“

সোমবার ভোর হয় মতির ডাক ছাড়াই। তার ঠাণ্ডা শরীর ডান পাশে শুয়ে আছে। ঝুড়ির গায়ে হেলান দিয়ে। চোখ বন্ধ। তার রাজকীয় মাথা নিচু।

মতির ঝুড়ি কোলে নিয়ে সোনাভান নিশ্চল হয়ে বসে থাকে।

সে মতি কে তার স্বামীর কবরের পাশে শুইয়ে দেয়। সে দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলে, খালি উঠোন পেরিয়ে যায়, খালি বারান্দায় পা রাখে, খালি বাড়িতে ঢুকে যায় এবং খালি বিছানার ধারে বসে।

আরেকটি সকাল আসে…. দুপুর ও বিকেল আসে এবং চলে যায়…. খোঁপের পাখিরা ডাকাডাকি করে….কেউ তাদের ছেড়ে দেয় না। প্রথমবারের মতো, সোনাভানের দরজা খোলে না।

দ্রষ্টব্য: “মিস্টার মতি” গল্পের অংশবিশেষ নেওয়া হয়েছে When the Mango Tree Blossomed: Fifty Short Stories from Bangladesh সংকলন থেকে, যা সম্পাদনা করেছেন নিয়াজ জামান।

Answer The following questions

1. Who is Ameen?

Ameen is a 17-year-old boy who wants to join the war. He is Sonabhan’s son and shows stubbornness like his late father.

2. What is Sonabhan’s relationship to Ameen?

She is his mother and has raised him alone. She is deeply attached to him and worries about his decisions.

3. Why does Sonabhan shriek when Ameen announces he will go to war?

She is shocked and afraid of being left alone. She doesn’t want him to risk his life.

4. How does Ameen reassure his mother about going to war?

He says it won’t take long and he’ll return after training. He tries to calm her fears.

5. Who was Ameen’s father?

He was a man who loved bullfighting, cockfighting, and boat racing. He passed away, leaving Sonabhan to raise Ameen alone.

6. What does Sonabhan realize about Ameen’s fascination with war?

She understands he is drawn to fighting, not the war itself. His stubbornness mirrors his father’s personality.

7. Why does Sonabhan compare Ameen to his father?

She notices his physical resemblance and similar passions. His determination reminds her of her late husband.

8. How do neighbors view Ameen?

They often complain about his mischief. Some even come from other villages to report his actions.

9. What does Sonabhan do when neighbors complain about Ameen?

She apologizes and sometimes offers eggs as compensation. She hates admitting she raised him alone.

10. Why does Sonabhan tiptoe into Ameen’s room at night?

She watches him sleep, reminiscing about his childhood. She resists the urge to cuddle him like she used to.

Animals & Symbolism

1. What is Moti?

Moti is Ameen’s 12-week-old cockerel. Sonabhan treats him like a son.

2. Why does Sonabhan take extra time feeding the ducks?

She is distracted by Ameen’s decision to go to war. The routine comforts her.

3. How does Ameen interact with Moti?

He lifts Moti gently and watches him eat rice. He remains silent, avoiding difficult topics with his mother.

4. What warning does Chowkidar’s wife give Sonabhan?

She tells Sonabhan to keep Moti away from her house. She threatens consequences if he returns.

5. How does Sonabhan react to the warning about Moti?

She defends Moti fiercely, calling him her “son.” She grounds him for a day but later releases him.

6. Why do boys ask to borrow Moti?

They want him for cockfighting at a fair. They offer to pay Sonabhan.

7. How does Sonabhan respond to the boys’ request?

She refuses, saying Moti is her son. She prioritizes his safety over money.

8. What happens to Moti on Monday?

He is found dead, lying cold in his basket. His absence devastates Sonabhan.

9. Where does Sonabhan bury Moti?

She places him beside her husband’s grave. The act symbolizes her loss of both family members.

10. Why don’t the birds get released after Moti’s death?

Sonabhan is too grief-stricken to open the coops. Her inaction reflects her emotional shutdown.

Social & Economic Context

1. What does Ameen sell at the bazaar?

He takes eggs, areca nuts, and a bottle gourd to sell. These items represent their modest livelihood.

2. Why is market day (haat bar) important?

It’s a chance to earn money by selling goods. The bazaar is a mile away, requiring effort to reach.

3. How does Ameen prepare for the market?

He wears a floral shirt and combs his hair. He carries a rattan basket on his head.

4. What does Sonabhan notice as Ameen leaves for the bazaar?

She sees he has grown as tall as his father. His posture and neck resemble his late father’s.

5. Why does Sonabhan give eggs to complaining neighbors?

It’s a peace offering to compensate for Ameen’s mischief. She avoids conflict to maintain social ties.

6. How does the story highlight poverty?

Their income relies on selling farm goods. Sonabhan’s eggs are valuable enough to use as apologies.

7. What role does the hurricane lamp play?

It lights Sonabhan’s way as she checks on Ameen at night. Its flickering symbolizes her fragile hope.

8. Why does Sonabhan call Moti her “son”?

She projects her maternal love onto the rooster. Losing Moti feels like losing Ameen or her husband.

9. How does the empty house symbolize Sonabhan’s grief?

The vacant yard, veranda, and bed emphasize her loneliness. Moti’s death leaves her utterly alone.

10. What does the closed door at the end signify?

It shows Sonabhan’s withdrawal from life. She no longer engages with the world outside.

War and Conflict

1. What war is mentioned in the story?

The story references an unspecified war that’s breaking out. It serves as the backdrop for Ameen’s decision to leave home.

2. Why does Ameen want to join the war?

He’s drawn to the excitement of fighting rather than political causes. His interest stems from his fascination with combat sports.

3. How does Sonabhan feel about Ameen joining the war?

She’s terrified of losing her only child. Her sleepless night shows deep maternal anxiety.

4. What training does Ameen mention?

He briefly references military training before deployment. This suggests he’ll be a soldier.

5. How does war affect the family’s daily life?

It creates tension during meals and sleep. The mother-son relationship becomes strained.

Rural Life and Economy

1. What agricultural activities are shown?

       They raise ducks, chickens and grow areca nuts. These form their livelihood.

2. Why are the ducks important?

They provide eggs for food and income. Their morning routine structures Sonabhan’s day.

3. How does the family earn money?

By selling eggs, areca nuts and gourds at market. These small-scale sales sustain them.

4. What is “haat bar”?

It’s the weekly village market day. An important economic event for rural families.

5. How far is the bazaar?

About one mile away. Ameen carries goods there in a rattan basket.

Psychological Depth

1. Why can’t Sonabhan sleep?

Anxiety about Ameen’s departure keeps her awake. She fears history repeating with her son.

2. How does Sonabhan show silent love?

Through nighttime visits to watch Ameen sleep. She physically touches him tenderly.

3. What childhood memories haunt Sonabhan?

Remembering cuddling Ameen as a baby. These contrast with his grown independence.

4. Why does Sonabhan indulge Ameen’s mischief?

As a single mother, she compensates with leniency. Eggs become apology currency.

5. How does grief manifest physically?

In puffy eyes from crying. Later, complete physical withdrawal after Moti’s death.

Symbolism and Motifs

1. What does Moti symbolize?

He represents Ameen’s childhood and Sonabhan’s maternal instincts. His death foreshadows loss.

2. Why is the mirror cloudy?

It reflects Sonabhan’s unclear vision of Ameen’s future. Also their modest living conditions.

3. What does the empty bed signify?

Emotional emptiness after multiple losses. The physical space mirrors her inner void.

4. Why emphasize the unopened door?

It symbolizes Sonabhan’s complete withdrawal from life after Moti’s death.

5. How does food represent care?

Meal preparation shows Sonabhan’s nurturing. Ameen’s silent breakfast shows tension.

Social Structure

1. How does class affect the family?

As poor villagers, they rely on manual labor. Education isn’t mentioned as an option.

2. What’s the neighbors’ role?

They enforce social norms by complaining. Represent community surveillance.

3. Why does Chowkidar’s wife threaten?

She asserts authority over poorer Sonabhan. Shows social hierarchies.

4. How are gender roles shown?

Sonabhan fulfills domestic duties while Ameen does market work. Traditional division.

5. Why is cockfighting significant?

It’s a working-class entertainment. Contrasts with more refined upper-class pastimes.

Narrative Techniques

1. How does silence build tension?

Unspoken worries during meals. Loud in what’s not said between mother and son.

2. Why detail the morning routine?

Establishes normalcy before disruption. Makes Moti’s absence more jarring.

3. How does physical description work?

Comparing Ameen to his father shows lineage. Shoulders suggest bearing burdens.

4. Why repeat “empty”?

Emphasizes Sonabhan’s complete isolation. Creates rhythmic, poetic despair.

5. What’s the effect of no dialogue at end?

The silence mirrors Sonabhan’s emotional shutdown. Powerful nonverbal conclusion.

Cultural Context

1. How are rural traditions shown?

Through cockfighting, market days. These anchor the story in Bangladeshi village life.

2. Why include the lungi?

It’s culturally specific clothing. Grounds the story in local reality.

3. What’s significant about areca nuts?

Traditional chewing item in South Asia. Shows authentic rural economy.

4. How is hospitality shown?

Sonabhan offers eggs to complaining neighbors. Cultural conflict resolution.

5. Why the hurricane lamp?

Rural technology that reveals their socioeconomic status. Also symbolic light in darkness.

Thematic Questions

1. How does the story show poverty?

Through their limited possessions and income sources. No luxuries are mentioned.

2. What’s the cycle of grief?

Losing husband, nearly son, then Moti. Each loss compounds the last.

3. How is masculinity portrayed?

Through Ameen’s fighting interests. Contrasts with Sonabhan’s nurturing.

4. What’s the cost of stubbornness?

Ameen’s trait may lead to his death. Inherited from father with tragic potential.

5. Why connect humans and animals?

Shows interdependence in rural life. Blurs lines between pet and family member.

6. How is time marked differently?

By natural cycles (sun-up) not clocks. Reflects agricultural rhythms.

7. What’s unspoken between them?

Their mutual fear of separation. Love expressed through actions not words.

8. How does setting shape the story?

River, fields and coops aren’t just backdrop – they’re livelihood and identity.

9. Why emphasize Moti’s “kingly” head?

Even animals have dignity. Makes his death more tragic.

10. What’s the last living sound?

Birds trapped in coops. Ironic life continuing unheard.

11. How is vulnerability shown?

Through Sonabhan’s puffy eyes. Rare display of emotion in tough circumstances.

12. What’s the story’s historical context?

Post-1971 war Bangladesh. Explores how war affects rural families.

13. Why no names for some characters?

“Chowkidar’s wife” shows social roles dominate identities.

14. How is youth vs age shown?

Ameen’s energy vs Sonabhan’s weariness. Generational divide in perspectives.

15. What’s the ultimate message?

The poor suffer most in upheavals. Love persists but can’t prevent loss.