A poor widow lived with her two sons and two daughters-in-law. All four of them scolded and ill-treated her all day. She had no one to whom she could turn and tell her woes.
As she kept all her woes to herself, she grew fatter and fatter. Her sons and daughters-in-law now found that it was a matter for ridicule. They mocked at her for growing fatter by the day and asked her to eat less.
One day, when everyone in the house had gone out somewhere, she wandered away from home in sheer misery and found herself walking outside town. There she saw a deserted old house. It was in ruins and had no roof. She went in and suddenly felt lonelier and more miserable than ever; she found she couldn’t bear to keep her miseries to herself any longer. She had to tell someone.
So she told all her tales of grievance against her first son to the wall in front of her. As she finished, the wall collapsed under the weight of her woes and crashed to the ground in a heap. Her body grew lighter as well.
Then she turned to the second wall and told it all her grievances against her first son’s wife. Down came that wall, and she grew lighter still. She brought down the third wall with her tales against her second son, and the remaining fourth wall, too, with her complaints against her second daughter-in-law.
Standing in the ruins, with bricks and rubble all around her, she felt lighter in mood and lighter in body as well. She looked at herself and found she had actually lost all the weight she had gained in her wretchedness.
Then she went home.
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Image Credit – The Cover image was taken by Narayan Tushar Kaudinya during the Gadhimai Festival in Nepal(2014)
ROAD TO NARA 
This excellent morality tale is written in the clear and simple language of the traditional storytellers from Time Memoriam. Those who believe in Karma will agree that no bad deed goes unpunished as we are here to help everyone in need in our community. Disrespecting the parents who are our creators, is one of the worsthut deeds.
Bahut khoob, Narayan!
Joanna
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This is such a powerful story. I love how the widow found a unique way to release her emotions and shed her emotional weight – literally.
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This story came at a time, when there was a conversation in a closed group of women, and for many there was no outlet to express their angst or grief. Will share this with them. Thank you for this.
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It is very important to let go of the emotional baggage we hold on to, else it manifests in various other problems. A very powerful story Narayan.
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A captivating story with a sad grain of truth in it. Well done!
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It is never a good idea to hold on to grievances. All those bad feelings can really affect the physical body.
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I found the story quite thought-provoking. It emphasizes the impact of bottling our grievances and the liberating effect of sharing our burdens. It’s an insightful reminder of the importance of expressing our feelings and not allowing negativity to consume us.
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I’m so glad that the poor widow finally found release ❤
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Nice story! We just can’t keep burdens and worries in us for so long. But we need right people to vent to, otherwise we might end up being discouraged too
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A very satisfying fable, Narayan! A timeless lesson. Everyone needs to express their concerns to someone who cares. Shame on those close to the widow who had no empathy!
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A wonderful tale Narayan. It is hard to find your voice in the face of cruelty but this brave woman found a way.
Alison
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This is what we mean when we say, I was bursting with the news/story. the poor woman prevented her bursting out of her body with all the weight of her grief. It is any time better talking to inanimate things than gossiping with others. But the title has a deeper meaning, right?
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A very well-written tale. Thank you for sharing.
🙏🏻
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Beautiful imagination 🌟 I didn’t think that she could say everything to the wall. Well shared 💐
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We are lucky if we have someone close to us with whom we can share our joys and sorrows. Thank you.
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Wow, if only one can really lose weight talking to the walls…
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Haha, that’s true. Hope you are well Chen and apologies for taking this long a time to write.
It’s been a slow process and only slowly coming back to writing here. Hope you are healthy and enjoying welcoming another year.
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I loved your story, Narayan. The metaphor of the walls coming down and the burden becoming lighter works so well. Sharing our stories is so important!
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Thanks dear Dwight, hope you are healthy and doing well, Also apologies for taking this long a time to write back. Hoping you are healthy and enjoying welcoming another year. Narayan
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You are most welcome. No worries my friend. We are doing very well. Today we are celebrating our 55th wedding anniversary!
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Oh dwight. My fortune seriously that I wrote today. Many many wishes to you both. Love and blessings from India to you.
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Thank you so much, Narayan my friend, for your best wishes!
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