Shyam’s mother was a skilled and accomplished housewife. She made shreekhand’s slices so delicious, crisp, and beautiful. She was often specially invited to the mansion to prepare those slices. She would go there gladly. She found joy in helping others.

Parvatibai was an elderly lady in the mansion. Her daughter, Venu, had been married and had gone to live with her in-laws. Suddenly, due to some family circumstances, Venu had to return to her parental home. To comfort her, her mother decided to make shreekhand slices for her. She thought of inviting Shyam’s mother for this purpose. She said to her, “The slices you make turn out so well. Will you come to our place this evening?”

Shyam’s mother readily agreed.

Venu and Shyam were childhood friends. To Shyam, Venu was like an elder sister! Whenever he was upset, she would understand him. If he cried, she would wipe his tears.

The next day, before going to the fields for lunch, Shyam’s mother did not feel well.

She fell ill. Her body ached all over. The signs of a strong fever were evident. She became bedridden, unable to carry on with any of her usual work.

Shyam came home. Not finding his mother, he ran about searching for her and finally found her lying down. He asked her the reason for her lying there. She told him her body was aching and asked him to massage her for a little while. Shyam did so for a short time, and then went outside to play.

Meanwhile, Venu from the neighborhood came looking for her. When she arrived, she found Shyam’s mother still resting. Venu said to her, “Shyama’s mother, are you here? I was looking for you.”

“Yes, child, I am here. I have fallen ill. I was just resting for a while,” she replied, rising and going along with Venu.

After playing, Shyam returned home. His mother was not there. He searched for her everywhere and finally went to Venu’s house. Venu brought him inside. Shyam’s mother told him she had come to help make slices of shrikhand at their house.

“Why did you come here? If you fall ill, who will look after me? Who will wipe my tears?” Shyam asked.

Venu began peeling cardamoms and preparing them to add to the shrikhand, while she herself started grinding saffron.

“Shyam, why did you come?” his mother asked him. The reason for her question dawned on him, and he replied, “I didn’t come here to eat the shrikhand! I’m not greedy. If you want to know, ask Venu.” Shyam made it clear. Venu understood and told his mother that Shyam had come only because she was there, and not to scold him for it.

“Venu, do you think Shyam loves me any less? Sometimes I too feel drawn to him. But I do not call him by his name in front of everyone. Shyam is always with us, but he should also be with others.” Shyam’s mother expressed her thoughts to Venu.

The curry was ready. She poured it into a plate. She smoothed it with a leaf and pressed it down. She cut pieces to go along with it. After doing all this, she went to serve the food. But Venu stopped her and served it herself. She took the pieces from her and arranged them neatly. Parvatibai filled the bowls and served them. One by one, she gave pieces to Venu and Shyam to eat. Shyam’s mother gave four pieces to the housemaid to take home. She applied some turmeric to her forehead and the maid left for her home.

Shyam sat beside Venu. The button on his old shirt had come off. Venu sewed it back on for him. Later, both of them went to Shyam’s mother to get some jasmine flowers to make a garland for the deity. Venu called out, but Shyam’s mother did not answer. When they went inside, they saw she was lying down. When they touched her, they found her body was burning with fever. Shyam told Venu that she had not been well since the previous afternoon. Venu was very upset. She expressed her worry. She was pained that, despite being unwell, Shyam’s mother had come to the kitchen and made the pieces for them. She kept repeating her concern. Then Shyam’s mother understood Venu’s feelings. Still, Venu would not calm down. Shyam lit the lamp, showed it to the tulsi plant outside, and then came and sat inside with his mother. Venu made a garland of jasmine flowers. Shyam’s mother’s suffering for their sake, even while she was ill, weighed heavily on Venu’s mind. She kept expressing her distress again and again. Then Shyam’s mother said, “Oh Venu, why are you so upset, dear? You—

How could I become an outsider? Then you would have faded away like the moonlight. Whatever your family members may have said to you, I do not take it to heart. That is why I came to reap the sugarcane. And what trouble is there in such small tasks? Even if we women are outsiders, don’t we still do all the housework? If you cut the sugarcane for me as you do for Shyam, then all my sorrow would vanish. Now, at home, your mother must be waiting for you, watching the road for your return. At night, I will come quietly and sleep soundly. Tomorrow, I will come to see you all.”

Saying this, she hurriedly finished grinding the spices and began to prepare the meal. She sent Shyam home with a bowl of usal, telling him to eat with his family. Taking the usal, Shyam went home and suddenly burst into tears in front of his mother. His eyes were filled with sorrow.

“Shyam, what happened?” his mother asked.

“Aai, Venu was very affectionate to you. She told me, ‘Shyam, your mother is very good. Listen to her. Do not be mischievous. You are truly fortunate to have such a good mother. That’s