The Fire

 Written by: Meena Nazari

Saleem was Hadia’s brother. Saleem’s father had bought a new bicycle for Saleem and he was enjoying riding it. One winter day, when their mother had gone to the neighboring house and those two were alone at home,

Saleem took his bicycle and asked his sister to go with him to the village ground. When they reached the ground, due to the cold weather, there was no one to play with. Saleem asked Hadia to play hide and seek with him but Hadia was complaining from the cold weather. Saleem said that he remembered a game that they would get warm with it and they went back home.

Saleem kept his bicycle inside the basement where their mother had kept firewood and some brushwood and thorns for the winter. Saleem took some thorns and brushwood and wanted to make a fire outside the basement. Hadia brought matches from the kitchen and she tried to make fire but the wind was making trouble for them.

Saleem asked her to take the brushwood inside the basement and there, they would make fire. Hadia prevented him and told him about its danger but Saleem did not accept and he made fire. Saleem put some more brushwood and thorns on the fire and they were warming themselves. Meanwhile, the flames of the fire caused him to burn Saleem’s shirt. Saleem was crying and Hadia extinguished the fire of his shirt by putting her shawl on it. Meanwhile, the flames of the fire reached the thorns and brushwood and the basement was set on fire.

Hadia and Saleem were crying and they were asking for help. When the neighbors heard them, they came and extinguished the fire. Saleem went inside the basement and he wanted to take his ball and the bicycle but they were completely turned into coal. When Saleem toched to the ball, it caused to burn his hands.

When Saleem's father came, he took Saleem to the clinic. The doctor prescribed him some medicines. Saleem’s father blamed Saleem for making a fire inside the basement and he said that they do not have more money to buy firewood again for the winter. Saleem was regretful that why he did not accept Hadia’s saying and he made a fire inside the basement and due to his carelessness, he lost his new bicycle.