Rani was a young girl who grew up in a loud, rumor driven
village on the brink of injustice where people only spoke loudly-loud opinions,
loud laughter, loud anger. In this village, words traveled faster than truth.
Hence, Rani who was know for a strange habit (staying silent) was judged as
weak because she rarely spoke. She always stayed silent when others argued, gossiped
and accused. Rani was a very reserved, observant woman who lived on the on the
margins.While people argued in the market place, Rani listened as rumors flew
like birds with sharp beaks. She was insulted, misunderstood, and bullied but
she never stopped listening. "Does she have a voice?" They whispered. "Is she
weak?" others laughed. Little did they know that silence was not her weakness
but her strength.