The Potion
“Is the potion ready, Anna?”
“Yau Mamm...almost.” Anna stood at the stove; her gaze fixed on the dark liquid swirling inside the iron vessel. Every now and then she stirred it gently with a ladle.
Miriam glanced at her daughter in law. Like most Amish women, Anna was dressed in a modest green dress with long sleeves and a full skirt. She wore a starched white apron over it, which on closer inspection looked all worn-out. Her face glistened from the heat of the stove, highlighting the fines lines on her forehead and a saggy skin under her eyes. A few strands of hair had escaped from the tight bun concealed underneath her prayer covering. But Anna seemed unconcerned about her appearance; just like she seemed about most things these days.
Miriam cleared her throat. “The bishop is coming today. He has heard about Jacob’s illness and wishes to see him.”
Father David was a kind man and revered by everyone in the community. As the head, he often helped people with medical and other emergency expenses. Miriam’s next words, however made her turn around sharply.
“I’m going to ask him for some funds,” she said. “These folk remedies aren’t working at all. Jacob’s fever just doesn’t seem to come down. He needs to be treated by a certified doctor.”
“But doesn’t it go against the Ordnung and our scriptures?” challenged Anna. “You once told me that God is the ultimate healer and we shouldn’t attempt to interfere with His will. You also said that it’s a sin to burden the community with one’s financial woes. Remember? Or have you forgotten?”
Miriam glared at her. “I only know that I need money to take my only son to a doctor. Now go and make that drink fast!”
Anna gazed loathingly at her retreating form. For a minute or two, she stood still staring into space, then swiftly strode towards the kitchen cabinet and extracted a tiny packet from the farthest corner of the shelf. The hard red and black seeds looked attractive enough to be strung into necklaces and rosaries. That’s what Anna’s father once did for a living and which was how they came to be in her possession. “But be very careful,” her father had warned. “These seeds of Rosary pea, if scratched, broken or chewed can be lethal.”
Anna quickly crushed a handful of them and then grinded them into a fine powder. After quickly scanning her surroundings, she poured it into the boiling concoction and gave it a vigorous stir. As the powder blended easily, she served it carefully in a small bowl.
But hardly had she taken a step towards her husband’s room when the doorbell rang. Father David’s authoritative voice boomed in the hallway. Anna bit her lips; she’d have to wait until the Father left. But would the concoction work after a long delay? she mused anxiously.
Someone tapped on her shoulder. “Anna?”
Startled, she turned around. “Father!”
The bishop looked at her with a sombre expression. “I’m sorry, my dear. Jacob’s no more.”
She gaped at him in disbelief. How could that be? She hadn’t even fed him the potion!
“I don’t think there is any need for that.” Father pointed at the bowl in her hand. Anna dropped it hastily on the counter.
“But I sincerely wish you would have called me earlier,” continued the Bishop. “How can you repeat the same mistake twice?”
Anna’s shoulders sagged wearily. Her voice trembled. “Sara had high fever...just like Jacob…I tried every herbal medicine I knew of but it just wouldn’t come down…just like Jacob! I pleaded with them to take her to a doctor. But..” The tears came down hard then. “Mamm said its God’s will and Jacob didn’t utter a single word of protest. And do you know why, Father?” She was wailing now. “Because they didn’t want to be saddled with a disabled child! I didn’t even get a chance to save my kid!”
As Anna broke down into heart wrenching sobs, Father held her in his arms. “The Lord says: It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. Please forgive them, my child.”
Then seizing the bowl of poison, he looked hard at her. “I repeat Anna. You have no more need for this.” And dumped the contents into the sink.
Glossary:
Yau (Pennsylvania Dutch) – yes
Mamm (Pennsylvania Dutch) – mother
Ordnung – It is a strict set of laws for life followed by the Amish .
Author’s note :
The Amish are religious individuals who believe in living a simpler life and a strong enforcement of shunning, or excommunicating members of the church who disobey the rules. They keep to themselves, away from the outside world and technology. Though they are not opposed to modern healthcare and it is certainly not forbidden, most Amish people often wait to see how a health condition will develop before seeking modern medical intervention. The story is based on these facts.
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