UTENSILS

In a quaint little village, there lived a sweet and curious boy named Arjun, who was in Grade 3. Arjun was different from other boys his age; while most of his friends preferred playing outside or engaging in mischief, Arjun found joy in the simple, yet often overlooked, task of washing utensils. His parents, understanding and supportive, never discouraged him from his unusual hobby. His mother, Meera, often found herself smiling as she watched her son diligently scrubbing pots and pans, his small hands moving with surprising skill and care.

Arjun’s father, Ramesh, was a kind-hearted man who believed in sharing household responsibilities. He often helped Meera in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and washing dishes. Ramesh’s actions spoke volumes about the equality and partnership in their marriage, and Arjun absorbed these lessons without even realizing it. To him, there was nothing strange about a boy washing utensils or a father cooking dinner; it was just the way things were.

However, not everyone in Arjun’s life shared these progressive views. His grandmother, Savitri, held traditional beliefs about gender roles. She loved Arjun dearly but couldn’t fathom why her grandson would want to do “women’s work.” Whenever she saw him picking up a dishcloth, she would scold him gently but firmly, saying, “Arjun, this is not for boys. Leave this to your mother and me.”

Despite his grandmother’s admonitions, Arjun couldn’t help himself. He loved the feel of warm, soapy water and the satisfaction of seeing a sink full of dirty dishes transform into gleaming, spotless ones. More than that, he loved helping his mother, feeling a sense of accomplishment and pride in doing so.

One day at school, Arjun’s teacher, Ms. Sinha, gave a lesson on equality. She explained to the class that everyone, regardless of their gender, was capable of doing any job. She emphasized that work should not be divided into “boys’ work” and “girls’ work,” and that everyone should contribute to household chores. Arjun listened intently, his eyes wide with understanding and determination. He felt a surge of pride as he thought about his father’s example and his own love for washing dishes.

When he got home that day, he found his grandmother in the kitchen, preparing dinner. As usual, he rolled up his sleeves and started washing the dishes from lunch. Savitri noticed and frowned, her brow furrowing with disapproval. “Arjun, how many times do I have to tell you? This is not work for boys.”

Arjun looked up at her, his eyes earnest and filled with the wisdom he had gained from Ms. Sinha’s lesson. “But Grandma,” he said gently, “Ms. Sinha taught us today that everyone should do all kinds of work. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl. Papa helps in the kitchen, and I like washing dishes. It’s not wrong, is it?”

Savitri paused, taken aback by the firmness in Arjun’s voice. She had always believed that certain jobs were meant for men and others for women, but seeing her grandson so passionate and sincere made her question her beliefs. However, old habits and ideas were hard to break. “That’s what your teacher says, but our traditions are different,” she replied, though with less conviction than before.

Arjun didn’t argue further; he knew that actions spoke louder than words. He continued helping his mother and father, performing his favorite chore with joy and dedication. He hoped that his grandmother would come to see things differently in time.

Days turned into weeks, and Arjun’s unwavering enthusiasm for washing dishes never waned. One evening, after dinner, as Arjun was about to start on the dishes, he noticed his grandmother watching him intently. This time, there was no frown on her face, only a look of contemplation. Suddenly, she stood up and walked over to him.

“Arjun,” she said softly, “would you show me how you do it? I want to see what makes you enjoy this so much.”

Arjun’s face lit up with a smile, and he nodded eagerly. “Of course, Grandma! It’s all about the bubbles and the satisfaction of making things clean,” he explained, handing her a sponge. Together, they washed the dishes, and for the first time, Savitri saw the task through her grandson’s eyes. She felt a strange but pleasant sense of accomplishment and understood the joy that Arjun found in the simple chore.

From that day on, Savitri started to help with the dishes too, standing beside Arjun and sharing stories from her own childhood. They became an unlikely team, united by the bubbles and the warmth of the kitchen. Savitri’s heart softened, and she began to see the world through Arjun’s eyes, a world where everyone was equal and capable of doing anything, regardless of gender.

Arjun’s small act of defiance and his unwavering belief in equality had taught his grandmother a valuable lesson. She realized that traditions could evolve and that there was beauty in sharing responsibilities and working together. The kitchen, once a place of rigid roles, became a hub of laughter and collaboration.

In the end, Arjun’s family grew closer, united by their love and respect for one another. Ramesh continued to help in the kitchen, Meera felt more supported than ever, and Savitri discovered a new joy in breaking old stereotypes. And as for Arjun, he continued to wash utensils with the same enthusiasm, knowing that he had made a difference in his grandmother’s heart.

The sweet Grade 3 boy had taught an old lesson in a new way: that everyone is equal, every work is the same, and everyone should do everything. And in doing so, he had brought a little more love and understanding into his home.