Page 10 - Ebook-Amin-E

Amin
I'm sorry, I can't come with you today. Halima has been out since morning and she left me
in charge of the farm. So you see I can't come.
First Boy
Why must you be tied to home because Halima said so? My mother this morning wouldn't
let me go, but do you think I would be detained by her? I simply told her I must go. She
grumbled a bit and then quieted down by herself. Why can't you do the same? Halima is not
your mother.

Amin
Halima is my foster-mother and I must listen to her as I would to my own mother. Besides, I
am entrusted with the home; therefore I won't leave my charge.
Second Boy
Well, then we are going, that's all; please yourself!
(BOYS go off. AMIN busies himself with domestic duties. Enter HALIMA)

Halima
My darling sweetheart, what have you been doing? I am so sorry I was detained in town,
Amin; there was such a crowd today at the market; I tried to hurry, but I couldn't get back
sooner. Look, what I've brought. (Taking out of her basket tomatoes, pineapple and sugar-
canes.) You didn't go with your playmates today?
Amin
They came to fetch me, but I couldn't go as you had asked me to look after the farm.
Halima (kisses his forehead)
My darling, it is so sweet of you to think of your Halima. (She sighs deeply, raising her head,
then looking down.) Bless his mother.

Amin (speaks in a broken voice) Halima, where has my mother gone? Shall I see her again?
(HALIMA is silent for a moment) Do you they ever come here again, who have passed away,
or do they never return: What is death, Halima? It always puzzles me. Why do people die?
Because they're ill, or because they're called away? Are they always lost to the world? Can
anyone see them? I should so much like to see mother!
Halima (in tears)
Your father was called away first, my darling, even before you were born. It was afterwards
that your mother followed him to heaven, peace be on her! How delighted would your father
be to see you now, if he were alive; and how much your mother would have rejoiced to watch
you grow, sweetheart! It tears my heart to think of it.

10