From the Five Rivers

"From the Five Rivers" by Flora Annie Steel is a story that takes place in a small Indian village where Gunesh Chund, the village leader, struggles with what his culture expects of him, specifically regarding family and continuing his family's name. This story focuses readers on the ways personal desires are intertwined with cultural norms. The story begins as Gunesh Chund eagerly anticipates the birth of his child, hoping for a son to inherit his position; however, he is greatly disappointed when his first child, Nihâli, is a girl, leading to conflicts with his mother and wife, Veru. The journey of Gunesh explores love, loss, and confronting the tough parts of life as he handles the burdens of fatherhood and tries to win his family's approval in a world dominated by men.