My great-grandmother, born at the turn of the century in British India, is wedded at twelve to a man from faraway lands in exchange for two cows. Reviled by her in-laws for bearing five daughters, she's helpless—unable to read, write, or contact home. It'll be different for my girls, she vows.
At sixteen, my grandmother's hand is given in marriage to a catch—a man employed in the big city. She's blessed with female children, a philandering husband, and little money to call her own. It'll be different for my girls, she vows.
My mother finishes school, elopes with a smooth-talker, ends up emigrating to the States. She has one child, a daughter, divorces my abusive father, supports herself as an office drudge. It'll be different for my girl, she vows.
I go to college, break many rules, marry outside my race, study law and enter politics. It's not for women, my mother warns. I'll make it different for my girl, I vow.
Despite tireless door-to-door campaigning, national television appearances and ardent supporters, I lose my bid for high office. My daughter's hope for women is shattered. It'll be different, I vow. Some day.
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First published in Bangor Literary on May 29, 2020.
Outstanding satire. How magically a tale of centuries told in a few lines! Style, tone and words are all effectively blended. Thank you Sudha.
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