“My heart cries for my mother. I remember, when I was young, I would go sit next to the fire when she heated the corn. She knew I liked corn. Every time I got my handful of corn, I was the happiest child. She worked all day, in the fields, with the animals and in the house. Her work never ended. I never saw her rest. And it was for all of us. She made sure we ate full stomach and she made sure we went to school. Everyday of her life she worked for us. Sacrificed everything for us, all her desires. Never complained. After my brothers left to find new lives for themselves, I took care of her till the very end. She became sick and bed-ridden and medicines could not cure her. She could not speak. She would call me by her side, hold my hand and just watch me. She must have wanted to say something to me or maybe just express her love for her son. She could not make it. You know, today I think what purpose did all her hard work serve. She died suffering. But she left me with wisdom. I remember her saying, ‘Son, do not be someone who only takes, be someone who gives.’ And, I try to do that, I try to give more than I take.” (Anil Rai, Tafethok, Taplejung)