from afar it is an island in a green sea. or lake.
it is at the extreme end of the village. surrounded by the rich green of padi plants.
as you go nearer there is a surprise. a house peeps amongst trees of all shapes and sizes.
a house weathered by the elements. a doorway without panels, covered with a sheet of rusty metal at night. furnishings practically nil. some mattresses on the floor in the living room. a solitary chair. a worn out table. mosquito nets.
a young boy plays with a little girl under mango trees with deep green leaves. several skinny hens flit by. a grandmother is cooking in a dilapidated kitchen.
it is Aidil Adha. but there will not be rendang or ketupat aplenty on the table. no rich cakes. no spread of cookies. only rice and perhaps fish. a vegetable. hot tea or plain boiled water.
trials and tribulations come in various forms.
hope, perseverance and hard work have to prevail.
there is a glimmer of better things lurking over the horizon.
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