Poos ki raat ( The night of December) is a short story written by Munshi Premchand. The story is about a simple farmer ” Halku” who is burdened with the lended money and is trying very hard to live a normal life. He has a small patch of land in which he does farming. It is the month of December and Halku needs to protect his crops from attack of wild animals. So, he goes to the field and spends the night in cold December winter. Halku has a dog called “Jhabra”. The story is revolving around Halku, Jhabra and Munni (Halku’s wife).
What it meant to read Poos Ki Raat?
I vividly remember I was cooing in my small place at my house. I had just moved to class 10th. This story was part of class 10th and as a student entering a new class I was very excited to read the Hindi Stories.
This particular story stuck me very deeply. I could totally relate with the problems, poverty and scenarios described in the story.
I was reading this story at 2 AM under a lantern in my small room. It was all silence around. Village is very quite normally and it becomes extremely quite in the night; there is no traffic, no factory, no night life. So, I could even hear the sound of dew drops falling on the ground at that time.
This connected me to the plight of Halku. Suddenly I felt sadness for him. I was sitting comfortably while Halku was struggling so much in the Cold.
In those time, our village was protecting itself from cold through natural means which mean no room heater or any such electrical heating equipment. Simple Thick blanket came to rescue.
What I still remember about my village?
I know the kind of image I carry about my village is nothing but imaginary. I was a small kid then and since then I have moved to many places. Sitting today in my little office in New York I try to attach myself to that little picture of the village I had.
I still try to find The Halku’s of my village while I sitting all alone and feeling so alienated in this place. Nothing but nostalgia grips my entire body.
I know very well that I will not find what I keep imaging but still the heart does not stop. I keep going back to that cold, silent night of December, close my eyes and listen to the sound of dew drops in search of momentary peace in today’s chaotic world.
