Only mothers can smile with such a relaxed, unblemished smile, even if they are chased away!

The old woman was washing her face and leaving, her armpits covered with a blanket. The priest stopped her. He said, "Old woman, you come to the temple every afternoon, eat bhog, and go away."

The old woman stopped her and said, "Why? I cut a coupon for ten. Of course, I don't have to cut it every day. One day, she gives bhog just like that, but why are you asking?"

The priest said, "No, I mean, I don't see you during aarti, I don't see you during puja in the morning, I don't see you in the temple at any other time, what do you do all day long?"

The old woman said, "Why - I beg? I sleep at the station at night and beg again in the morning."

The priest said, "Don't you have anything to ask your mother? Everyone comes from so far away to ask  mother for this and that - don't you have anything to ask?"

The old woman said, "No." The only son threw me out of the house. He said there was no place to sleep for me. There was no rice to eat for me. Their family was growing. When the only son throws me out, what will you and your Kali do to me? I didn't hold her in my stomach, what is her fault?

But why do you come to the temple every day?

Tell your mother not to do any harm to my son. She is also a mother; she will understand. She also doesn't have anyone; otherwise, why would she be lying in your temple? Lock the door and windows all night, leave, who knows if she will get a glass of water when she asks for it? Everyone's fate is the same, don't you see this Durga Puja is coming - up on the drain, here and there, make her stand in a place for four or five days, play catchy songs, drink alcohol and dance at night, sit all dressed up, mother will stand in the place, then when they are full, they will pull her into the water and come back dancing. Tell her what else I ask for? I come, give money, take coupons, eat bhog, and tell my mother that you know everything, see that no harm comes to my son. Can I go?

The priest was speechless. The temple is really locked now. The fans and lights are off. The authorities can't pay the electricity bill with that much money. The old woman is leaving. Dirty saree. Bunches under her armpits. There is no hurry in her walk, no anger in her words. How can the old woman be so calm! The old woman looked back, smiled, and her upper lip in front had two or three missing teeth. Only mothers can smile with such a relaxed, unblemished smile, even if they are chased away!