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Ammara · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Pakistan

The Hen Chase
In a faraway village on a day long forgotten some events stirred the life from normal to chaotic. The village was under a spell of boredom that had never been broken- till this day.
In the fields, Farkhanda was busy tying and retying her hair when her first cousin approached her with a letter for her second cousin. Innocent as she was , she accepted the letter and went on with her hairdo. The author of the letter was Hamid who had been haunted by the elementary school teacher ever since she came to return their lost lamb.
On the other side of the field her father’s dedicated pal ,Munshi had seen them and the first thing was to not protect the honor of his friend! He told him he had seen his daughter and the reply was its not unusual to see his daughter. But as the whole story was communicated to him in five sentences the color of his face changed with every sentence. But then he thought why waste time on killing her, when sleep was what the body was demanding from him at that time. But munshi reminded him his honor was at stake, and he was finally persuaded into killing his little girl of fourteen.
The munshi had his own reasons to instigate his friend. A few months back he had proposed to Farkhanda and when she didn’t agree he tried a new tactic, threatening to kill her only cow. She not only spat on him but also pushed him into a heap of cow dung.
His mother Mai who lived alone now, had been living in this village for over fifty years and was popular for being a magician. Although she didn’t know how her magic worked she was always determined to prove it true. And this time she trying a new chant when all of a sudden she saw a shadow. She looked up to find a boy with blood on his face! Mai realized the chant was evil and ran out with the boy following her!

Farkhanda’s father emerged and grabbed her by her wrist dramatically and started off for their home. Although she was still not satisfied with her hairdo she was inquisitive about what was on her father’s mind.
When her father reached home he said “ I will have to kill you for cutting off my nose.” It was beyond her comprehension because his three inch long nose was still visible where it was yesterday. He asked her to sit under the tree and wait so that he can bring his knife. A few weeks ago on Bakra Eid a goat had been sacrificed and she knew she has replaced the Bakra this time rather then the hens. She had a better plan then running away.
http://www.chowk.com/show_article...005764&channel=civic%20center

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