Steam in the Winter Courtyard

कस्सिएको जाडो, तराईलाई कुहिरोले निलेको बिहान, मन्दिरको चौतारामा हामीले सामुदायिक भान्सा थाल्यौं।

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On a biting, fog-swallowed Terai morning, we started a community kitchen in the temple courtyard.

दुई सिलिन्डर ग्यास, पुरानो डेक्ची, र टोलको चन्दा—यत्ति नै सामान, तर मनको ताप प्रशस्तै।

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Just two gas cylinders, an old pot, and the neighborhood’s donations—only that much gear, but plenty of warmth in our hearts.

नगरपालिकाको राहत ढिलो भइरहेको भन्दै कति हताश थिए, तर 'आफ्नो छानो आफैं टाल्नुपर्छ' भनेर हामी जुट्यौं।

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Many were disheartened, saying the municipality’s relief was late, but we gathered, thinking, “We must patch our own roof ourselves.”

दाल उम्लँदै गर्दा, विद्यालय बिदामा रहेका बालबालिकाले काठ बटुले; बुढाबुढीले लाइन सम्हाल्दै न्यानो कथा सुनाए।

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As the lentils boiled, children on school break collected firewood; the elders managed the line while telling warm stories.

मसला कुट्दा घना जुँगा भएका हरिचन्द्र काकाले भने, 'न्यानो त केवल कम्बलले होइन, मान्छेको बोलीले पनि दिन्छ,' र मुस्कुराए।

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While pounding spices, thick-bearded Uncle Harichandra said, “Warmth comes not only from blankets but from people’s words too,” and smiled.

खल्ती हलुका थियो, माग धेरै, तर स-साना योगदानको आँट एकै ठाउँ बटुलिँदा, ठूला भाँडा पनि चाँडै भरिए।

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Pockets were light and needs were many, yet when the resolve for small contributions was pooled together, even big pots filled quickly.

सिसौँका पात झरेझैं दानका नोट आए, कोहीले अन्न ल्याए, कोहीले स्टोभ उधारो दिए, कोहीले त न्यानो टोपी बुनिहाले।

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Like sissoo leaves falling, donation notes came; some brought grain, some lent stoves, and some even knitted warm caps.

पहिलो कटोरी सूप हामीले थम्यायौं—रातभर बसपार्कमा बसेका एक यात्रुलाई, हात काँपेको झल्को लुकाउन खोजेको अनुहारसहित।

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We handed over the first bowl of soup—to a traveler who had spent the night at the bus park, his face trying to hide the hint of trembling hands.

बेसारको पिँह्रो रङ, भापमा मिसिएको अदुवाको गन्ध, र वरिपरि गुन्जिएको 'लिनुस्, अरूलाई पनि दिनुस्' भन्ने आवाजले चौतारालाई उज्यालो बनायो।

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The turmeric’s yellow hue, the ginger scent mingled with steam, and the chorus of “Please take, and please pass it on” brightened the courtyard.

दिउँसोतिर कुहिरो पन्छिँदा, मन्दिरको घन्टीभन्दा ठूलो घन्टी हाम्रो मनभित्र बजेजस्तो लाग्यो—संगै उभिँदा साना मान्छेले पनि ठूला काम गर्छ।

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By noon the fog cleared, and it felt as if a bell louder than the temple’s rang inside us—when we stand together, even small people do big things.

उही साँझ, बाँकी दाल हामी छिमेकी बस्तीतिर बोकेर गयौं, किनकि राम्रो काम घामजस्तो हो—आफ्नो छानो मात्र होइन, छिमेकीको छानो पनि तताउँछ।

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That same evening, we carried the remaining dal to a neighboring settlement, because good work is like the sun—it warms not only our own roof but the neighbor’s too.

भोलिपल्ट कसैले फोटो माग्यो, कसैले समाचार; हामी भने नतिजाभन्दा प्रक्रियामै रमायौं, किनकि हातले गरेको सेवा अन्ततः मनले सम्झिने सन्देश बन्छ रहेछ।

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The next day some asked for photos, some for news; we, however, delighted more in the process than the result, because service done by hands ultimately becomes a message the heart remembers.