Old age is similar to childhood in many ways. Old Kaki was
like a child. For the most part of the day she would lie down.
Frail and hard of hearing, she had lost all her interest in life except her craving for food. If she did not get her meal at the appointed time she would begin wailing.

Kaki had no one except her nephew, Budhiram,to depend upon, and had given him all her property. He, in turn, had promised to look after her. Budhiram was gentle by nature as long as his pocket remained untouched. He knew that he was able to wear a cloak of respectability only because of the
property that kaki had given him . He sometimes regretted his cruel behaviour but the very thought of incurring any additional expense suppressed his good intentions. His wife Roopa was sharp-tongued, but she was God- fearing. Budhiram's sons were also rude to Kaki and teased her for fun . In the entire family, it was only Budhiram's little daughter Ladli who cared for Kaki. When her brother's teased her, Ladli ran to Kaki. This meant that she had to give a part of her food to Kaki, but she did not mind.


to be continued.........