"Sita's Secret: A Story about Periods"
Sita, a bright-eyed girl with hair as dark as the night sky, lived in a small village. One sunny morning, Sita noticed a stain on her favorite red skirt. Fear gripped her. She didn't understand what was happening. Sita knew something was different. Her stomach ached, and a strange feeling of worry filled her. She remembered whispers from the older girls about a time when they would be "unclean." Tears welled up in her eyes. Was she sick? Was she in trouble? Confused and scared, Sita approached her mother. But how could Sita explain this strange secret? Words seemed to fail her. Seeing Sita's distress, Mother knelt down and held her hand. "What troubles you, my little one?" she asked softly. Sita, her voice barely a whisper, showed mother the stain. Mothers's face softened with understanding.
Mother took Sita aside and explained, in simple words, that this was a natural change all girls go through. It meant Sita was growing into a strong young woman, capable of giving life one day. Relief washed over Sita. It wasn't a punishment, but a sign she was becoming like the older girls. But Mother also explained the difficulties. "You may feel uncomfortable these days," she said. "There are some things you can't do, like touching the puja thali (prayer plate) or playing near the well." Sita's heart sank. These were things she loved to do! Mother understood her disappointment. "It's just for a few days, my dear," she reassured her. "We'll find other things to do together."
The next few days were hard. Sita felt unclean and awkward. The makeshift cloth Mother gave her wasn't very comfortable, and she worried about staining her clothes. She missed playing with her friends and helping her mother fetches water. One day, while hiding behind the house, Sita overheard her friends talking in hushed tones. "Sita is dirty now," one whispered. Shame burned in Sita's chest. Tears welled up in her eyes. She ran back to mother, feeling more alone than ever. Mother saw the tears on Sita's face and held her close. "It's not your fault, my dear," she said gently. "Everyone feels this way sometimes. These feelings are just whispers, don't listen to them. “Mother explained that periods were a natural part of being a woman, something to be proud of, not ashamed. She shared stories of strong women in their village who didn't let periods hold them back.
Slowly, Sita started to feel better. Mother helped her find ways to manage her period comfortably. They talked about ways to stay clean using readily available materials. Sita also learned that some things wouldn't change – she could still help her mother with chores and play games indoors.
Sita's story is a reminder that many girls in Nepal face similar challenges during their first period. They need knowledge, support, and access to basic hygiene products. Let's work together to break the silence surrounding menstruation. Let girls like Sita know it's a natural process, not something to be ashamed of. Let's create a world where periods don't hold girls back from reaching their full potential.