Seoyun Park is a high school student and emerging artist. Passionate about visual storytelling, Seoyun works to create evocative and thought-provoking pieces. She is currently putting together her portfolio for university. 

Scavenging Peaches in the Dark

My flashlight encircles some peaches

on the orchard grass. Most are impeccable,

although smaller than what sells in stores.

“Seconds” they are called;

too small for market, left behind by farmers.

Where there is a broken bruise,

the ants are taking their share.

The firm fruit, I place in a shipping bag.

The black fabric blends with the moonlessness

beneath the shushing leaves.

The trees, the nocturnal insects, my shoes,

we all smell of sugars. Yellow orange pubescence

rolls in the dry lawn where Mexican migrants worked.

In other rows, downed seconds rot.

The ants are taking their share.

There is no white mold yet, no syrup brown bruises.

A pink cut is open, yellow sunlight pours out.

Hundreds of stars stored banked photosynthesis

and now my flashlight finds coins of the realm.

Elsewhere, food prices soar.

Here are the ants, taking their share.

Scavenging Peaches in the Sunlight

I refuse to swipe peaches from the trees.

The Mexican migrants worked these rows already.

What they left behind, on the ground,

are small orange fires as hot as the sunlight.

I fill a bag. The peaches begin to bruise themselves

by their own touches, so used they are

to hanging alone on a firm stem swept only by wind.

I refuse to swipe peaches from the trees.

No crop failure is because of me.

Sunlight pours everywhere. The shade is heatwave.

The breeze is heatwave. Soil is heatwave.

Sunlight envelops my honesty with brightness,

but there are no witnesses.

There are precious few tractors harvesting this year.

A trade war bankrupts farmers.

Scavengers survive by honesty, broadened by daylight,

the kind of honesty that has no witnesses.

Canadian writer and farmer Terry Trowbridge has appeared in Synchronized Chaos before! He is thankful to the Ontario Arts Council for their writing grants.

SOCIAL-PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND SOLUTIONS

Khudoykulova Shahzoda Sherali kizi

Student at Karshi State University, Faculty of History

Abstract : In today’s global society, youth are one of the most vulnerable social groups. This article examines the impact of unemployment on the psychological state of young people, changes in social relationships, and their confidence in the future.

Annotation: V sovremennom globalom obshchestve molodej yavlyaetsya odnoy iz samyx weakx sotsialnyx grupp. V dannoy state rassmatrivaetsya vliyanie bezrabotitsy na psychologicheskoe sostoyanie molodeji, izmeneniya v sotsialnykh tnosheniyax i uverennost v zavtrashnem dne.

Annotation: In today’s global society, young people are one of the weakest social groups. This article examines the impact of unemployment on the psychological state of young people, changes in social relations, and confidence in the future.

Keywords: Society, parents, youth, neighborhood, state, government, women, leader, internet

Key words : Obshchestvo, roditeli, molodej, sosedi, gosudarstvo, vlast, genshchiny, leader, Internet

Key words : Society, parents, youth, neighborhood, state, power, women, leader, internet

Introduction: Youth is the most active, creative and promising stratum of any society. Their education, finding their place in the labor market and building an independent life are important for the stability and development of society. However, in today’s conditions of globalization and technological change, the increase in unemployment among young people is seen as an urgent social problem. Unemployment has a negative impact on society not only economically, but also socially and psychologically. The lack of participation in the labor market of young people, who constitute the most active and potential stratum of the population, threatens not only their personal lives, but also the sustainable development of society. Today, attention to youth in our country is one of the priority areas of state policy. Because the future and development of any society depend, first of all, on its educated, strong-willed, enterprising and healthy young generation. Therefore, large-scale reforms are being implemented in our country to comprehensively support young people and fully realize their potential.

The main causes of youth unemployment

The following factors contribute to youth unemployment:

1. Lack of professional skills that meet the demands of the labor market.

2.Lack of experience.

3. The disconnect between education and production.

4. Territorial imbalance (for example, lack of jobs in rural areas.

5. Lack or weakness of social connections.

Social consequences

Unemployment among youth causes a number of negative social processes in society:

1. Increased crime: Unemployed youth may be inclined to commit crimes for self-expression or to satisfy material needs.

2.Migration: Young people who cannot find work migrate to other countries or large cities in search of work, leading to demographic imbalance.

3. Social instability: Unemployed youth feel inequality and injustice in society more acutely, which leads to increased feelings of discontent.

.4Marriage and family delays: Due to lack of financial stability, young people are delaying or completely abandoning family formation.

Psychological consequences

Youth unemployment also directly affects a person’s mental state:

1. Depression and discouragement: Feeling useless in society, ineffective use of time, and lack of confidence in the future lead to psychological problems.

2. Low self-esteem: Young people who cannot find work feel helpless and incompetent.

3. Aggression or apathy: When unemployment lasts for a long time, people can fall into two extreme states: one is aggression towards society, and the other is complete apathy.

4. Social isolation: Unemployed youth are isolated from the majority and lose social connections.

Solutions: Unemployment among young people poses a great threat not only to their economic situation, but also to the social stability of society. To address this problem, the following are necessary:

1. Adapting the education system to the demands of the labor market;

2. Expand internship and training programs;

3. Support for youth startups and small businesses;

4. Establish psychological support centers and inform the general public.

In order to prevent unemployment from negatively affecting the lives of our youth, a number of measures are being taken, and various decrees and resolutions have been implemented. On measures to implement the tasks set out in the “Open Dialogue with Youth” of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan ( Decree No. PF-61 of March 26, 2025 ) to develop a long-term strategy aimed at introducing a digital social ecosystem to unite youth, form national values ​​in the young generation, early identify their interests and needs based on artificial intelligence technologies, monetize their potential, and involve them in socially significant projects. Many decisions have been made, such as developing a procedure for allocating grants of up to 100 million soums by the Youth Affairs Agency to create national and useful media content that interests young people in science and organize the best intellectual shows, including mechanisms for selecting applicants and projects. From this, we can see that our country is paying great attention to the young generation and opening up wide opportunities for them. This document clearly demonstrates the constant attention of our President to young people and his desire to appreciate each of their achievements at the state level. Decree No. PF-61 includes not only material incentive measures, but also strategic goals aimed at improving the intellectual and creative potential of young people. On the State Program of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the Implementation of the Strategy “Uzbekistan – 2030” in the “Year of Youth and Business Support” (Decree No. PF-37 of 21.02.2024) In order to effectively implement the large-scale reforms set out in the “Uzbekistan – 2030” strategy in 2024, consistently continue systematic efforts to achieve positive changes in the daily lives of our people, ensure high economic growth rates based on the principles of the “green economy”, improve the ecological situation, widely introduce standards for the efficient use of water and other natural resources, and further improve the management system aimed at the interests of the people: from March 1, 2024, young people who require special work, as well as talented and gifted young people, shall be assigned to the heads of ministries and departments, local executive authorities, state-owned enterprises and organizations, and higher educational institutions on the basis of the “Youth Balance” by decision of the Republican Commission for Coordination of Youth Work in Mahallas. In this regard, these leaders should: meet with the youth assigned to them at least once a month, solve their problems and reveal their potential, provide them with employment by training them in high-demand professions, find their place in life, and also provide comprehensive assistance in raising their legal awareness and culture. This decree is the central document of state policy designed to encourage youth and business entities and expand innovative activities. Its main tasks are: to bring the direction of supporting youth and business of the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy to a practical stage, diversify the economy through innovation and increase competitiveness, and encourage talented youth and startups integrated into socio-economic growth.

Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to radically improve the system of working with youth in neighborhoods”  (PQ-92 dated 19.01.2022). In order to introduce new management mechanisms for working with young people, create a vertical system for working with them, solve youth problems directly in neighborhoods, and further increase the effectiveness of spiritual, educational and educational work in educational institutions:

The position of youth leader shall be introduced in every town, village, aul, as well as in every neighborhood in cities, towns, villages and auls. The following shall be defined as the main tasks of the youth leader in the neighborhood: to form a “Youth Balance”, to enter the necessary information about young people into the electronic platforms “Youth Notebook” and “Youth Portal”, to organize effective work with them; to meaningfully organize the leisure time of young people in neighborhoods, to popularize national folk games and sports among young people, to implement Five Important Initiative Projects, youth festivals and other cultural and educational events, to increase the social activity of young people, to encourage their talents, abilities and initiatives and to help them find their place in life, to educate young people in the spirit of patriotism and to ensure their intellectual maturity and spiritual development. This resolution initiated a structural and functional transformation in the system of working with young people. This decision: Created a position responsible at the neighborhood level for direct and systematic communication with young people,

Improved the quality of youth data management and service provision through social monitoring and digital systems, and implemented projects that have gained great social significance between generations. Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to increase income and ensure employment of young people by allocating land to them, as well as on the development of new land areas” (No. PQ-153 dated 05.04.2024) . In order to increase the production of food crops through the effective use of land and water resources in agriculture, ensure employment of the population, including youth, and increase their incomes: It is determined that 60 thousand hectares of land in the reserve of district khokimiyats will be put up for electronic online auctions and leased to young people on a priority basis for the organization of dehkan farms, and the following new system will be introduced, covering the chain from cultivation to sale of agricultural products. Resolution No. PQ-153 is an important legal document aimed at stimulating the economic activity of young people through material resources and strengthening their employment. Resolution: Establishes the provision of land resources necessary for young people to start and implement their own economic projects. Opens up various sources of income for young people who are not employed in agriculture and other sectors. Serves as a solid foundation for unlocking the potential of young people in the future and ensuring socio-economic stability. i. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to improve the system of training young people in professions (specialties) and foreign languages” In accordance with the Resolution No. 213 of 17.04.2024 , the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan decides to ensure the implementation of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PF-59 dated April 4, 2024 “On improving labor migration processes and additional measures to support persons temporarily engaged in labor activities abroad”, as well as to support the interest of young people in learning foreign languages and acquiring a profession, to improve the system of training them as competitive personnel in the domestic and foreign labor markets, and to expand their opportunities for work in foreign countries. The Resolution establishes the expansion of the system of training the population, especially young people, in modern professions and foreign languages. This is aimed at training competitive personnel in the labor market. Short-term training courses in specialties and foreign languages ​​that are in high demand in the regions will be opened. Modern methodologies and curricula will be introduced. The employment opportunities of trained citizens will expand, they will be able to start their own business or work in the service sector. It will fill the gaps in the labor market in terms of skills and language skills. It will increase international job opportunities through knowledge of foreign languages. It will develop practical and short-term forms of vocational education. It will open the way for young people and the unemployed to express themselves and achieve economic independence. Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On measures to develop the social and production infrastructure of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2024-2026” (No. PQ-404 dated 25.12.2023) . It is about implementing the tasks set out in the “Uzbekistan — 2030” strategy, further developing social and production infrastructure in the regions, especially in neighborhoods, as well as improving the living standards of the population and creating a favorable investment environment for entrepreneurs. On the basis of the resolution, a comprehensive set of measures and a state program have been developed for the development of social and production infrastructure in the country. The resolution established the establishment of an “Infrastructure Development Engineering Company” for the construction, reconstruction and overhaul of preschool educational institutions, general education and specialized schools in 2024–2026. The resolution provides for the implementation of work on the modernization of infrastructure and the construction of new facilities on the basis of the necessary design and estimate documentation and through a state order

REFERENCES USED

1. http://lex.uz//uz/docs/-7451522 On measures to implement the tasks set out in the open dialogue of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan with youth

2. http://lex.uz//docs/-6811936 On the State Program for the Implementation of the Strategy “Uzbekistan-2030” in the “Year of Youth and Business Support”

3. http://lex.uz//uz/docs/-5950242 On measures to bring youth involvement in mass sports in neighborhoods to a new level

4. http://lex.uz//uz/docs/-6867721 Increasing income and employment of young people by allocating land, and

5. http://lex.uz//uz/docs/-6887882 On measures to improve the system of training young people in professions (specialties) and foreign languages

6. http://lex.uz//docs/-6721094 On measures to develop the social and production infrastructure of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2024-2026

Shahhrisabz State Pedagogical Institute

Lecturer: Rayimova Dilfuza Abdinabiyevna

Abstract

This article discusses the theoretical foundations of developing students’ communication competence, the importance of mastering their native language and improving the level of speech communication skills, and highlights the system of professionally significant qualities. It also emphasizes the need to focus on methodological support for diagnosing professional mastery.

Keywords: language education, ability to communicate, fostering the quality of enjoying communication, cultivating aesthetic education, developing independent thinking. The aim is to enhance student competence through such communication.

Main Part

Taking into account that language develops as society progresses, the issue of enriching native language teaching with new developmental methods is becoming increasingly relevant. Students should be explained that learning and teaching the secrets of our native language through interactive and innovative methods, while ensuring deep and nationally rooted understanding, is necessary.

In higher educational institutions, it is important to ensure the continuity of teaching the Uzbek language, strengthen students’ orthographic and stylistic literacy, and create mechanisms to raise language skills and communication competence to an advanced level.

The necessity of implementing reforms and modernizing the content of native language (Uzbek) education at all levels of schooling is essential. This enables students of higher education institutions to further develop their abilities of deep thinking, listening, and communicating in their mother tongue, while also applying innovative educational technologies in this process. Uzbek pedagogical scholars have underlined that developing students into well-rounded individuals requires systematic scientific-theoretical approaches. In Uzbekistan, purposeful and systematic measures are being carried out to improve the content and thematic quality of Uzbek language education as the national and state language.

For example, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor U.I. Inoyatov emphasizes the theoretical and organizational-methodological foundations of monitoring and managing the quality of education, stressing that one of the important factors in professional and human thinking is language and speech competence. Methodologist M. Sobirova’s fundamental research explores theoretical and practical aspects of improving professional specialization. Researcher O.A. Abduquddusov addresses integrative approaches in training young and future specialists, focusing on solutions to the problems of thinking, language, and speech. D. Yuldasheva highlights the problem of preparing specialists with professional mastery and eloquent speech. Scholars such as Ibragimova G., Azimova I., Ziyodullayeva G., and Murodova A. explore issues such as developing interactive creativity, the psycholinguistic basis for improving linguistic skills in native language teaching, the role of rule systems in shaping communicative competence, and the importance of listening and comprehension in native language learning.

Teaching our national language requires clearly explaining and instilling the unique lifestyle, ethnography, and traditions of the Uzbek people that are preserved in the language. For this, it is essential to effectively use comparison, contrast, and generalization methods and technologies in teaching. It is the duty of a native language teacher to ensure that students understand the essence of concepts and terms, which are linguistic units. Therefore, a university teacher must themselves fully master Uzbek language and speech competence.

Based on the theoretical foundations of developing communication skills among university students, it can be said that language and speech etiquette are the essence of Uzbek national life. In any time, place, or society where good behavior and proper speech prevail among members of the community, that society prospers, its living conditions improve, and peace reigns.

When addressing the issue of improving students’ knowledge of their native language and communication skills, attention should first be directed toward identifying the system of professionally important qualities. This serves as both the basis and the methodological provision for diagnosing the dynamic individuality of a professionally skilled person.

Naturally, communication has several functions. The most frequently used is the conversation between interlocutors, beginning with greetings and extending to the highest levels of communication. National characteristics also dominate communication. Among Uzbeks, from a simple and sincere greeting to parting, such features are clearly visible.

Another important aspect of communication is that it encourages activity. Particularly in the educational process, communication creates activity. To meet the need for communication, a person must master the art of speech and etiquette. Communication is carried out through verbal expression.

In our wise nation, there are many proverbs and teachings about the rules of speaking, caution in the use of language, and the importance of thinking before uttering every word and sentence. One such saying states that a person’s honor and dignity are reflected in their cultured way of speaking. If one does not follow the etiquette of speech, their humanity will not be visible. If speech is expressed appropriately and meaningfully, it is better to listen in silence. Mastery of literary language requires not only spelling but also correct pronunciation, as these are two sides of the same coin. Deviating from literary pronunciation norms is equivalent to semi-literacy in writing.

The structural elements of speech communication include:

a) transmitting communicative information;

b) acting in interactive cooperation;

c) jointly perceiving in a perceptive way.

For example, in the communicative process, when a teacher explains a topic, they first set a communicative goal and then demand interactive actions (cooperation) from students. In practical and seminar classes, as well as lectures, the teacher addresses students with various questions and evaluates them accordingly. Most students show activity in this regard, though some find it very difficult to raise their hands and answer. A student forced to respond may show uncertainty in speech at the very communicative stage. Or, even if both sides act interactively, if they do not perceive the expressed idea together, the perceptive aspect of communication is disrupted, leading to poor comprehension of the lesson. Neglecting these aspects during communication results in misunderstanding.

Therefore, developing students’ speech communication culture should be determined in advance as parameters in the form of knowledge, skills, and abilities aligned with small-scale objectives. For example, the content of dialogue replicas forms separate units. Verbal communication is not limited to questions and answers; it also includes listening to the interlocutor, asking counter-questions, rejecting questions, encouraging action, making proposals, and so on. This requires the use of various lexical and grammatical tools and formulaic sentences. Hence, mastering speech communication (dialogue) requires a broad approach.

Our observations show that most sentences constructed and presented by students have logical connections, but the normative level of words and grammatical forms used to construct syntactic structures does not fully meet the requirements. Cases were observed where auxiliary words, word-forming, form-building, and syntactic relation-forming affixes were not used appropriately. To improve students’ native language knowledge and communication skills, teachers should encourage them to read more literary books, do more writing exercises, and develop the habit of working with dictionaries.

In higher education institutions, developing the speech competence of future specialists is crucial for encouraging creativity, carrying out projects, and fostering literary reading and writing practices. Developing students’ communication culture should be set in advance as parameters in the form of knowledge, skills, and abilities aligned with small-scale objectives.

From modern requirements, we can identify the following main ways and requirements for developing language and speech competence of future specialists, based on the content of education:

1. A specialist with sectoral scientific-theoretical training and creativity must possess speech competence.

2. Engaging in scientific-research and experimental activities, they must be able to express the realities of their work in both written and oral forms appropriate to speech styles.

3. When introducing new technologies, they must be able to fully explain and demonstrate their specific features using professional terminology.

4. Through modern electronic media, they must be able to express virtual communication clearly, simply, concisely, and without vagueness, using national and professional styles. They must ensure the clarity and validity of information through the words they use.

Conclusion

The successful resolution of political, economic, and social tasks in society largely depends on how well each member of society knows their native language and can apply it in practice—that is, in speech situations, environments, and among people of different social groups—freely, clearly, simply, and fluently.

Cultivating in students the ability to communicate correctly, fluently, and meaningfully, while at the same time enhancing their aesthetic taste and developing their independent thinking capacity, is one of the key tasks in achieving communicative literacy and developing student competence.

References

1. www.namspi.uz universaljurnal.uz INNOVATIONS. Materials of the Republican Scientific-Practical Conference. Namangan, October 10–11, 2024. Presidential Decree No. 5850 on measures to fundamentally enhance the prestige and status of the state language.

2. Inoyatov U.I. Theoretical and Organizational-Methodological Bases of Monitoring the Quality of Education in Professional Colleges. Dissertation. Tashkent, 2003. p. 327.

3. Xalikova Sh. Problems of Improving Education and Science. Qarshi, 2022. pp. 558–560.

4. Sobirova M. Teaching Language Phenomena on the Basis of an Anthropocentric Approach. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECSE), Vol. 14, Issue 07, 2022. DOI: 10.9756/INTJECSE/V14I7.91.

5. Textbook. Namangan: Arjumand Media, 2023. Vol. 512.

6. Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan. Manual. Bukhara State University, 2013.

7. PhD Dissertation. Developing Students’ Creative Abilities. Tashkent, 2017. p. 137.

Don’t Cry
When the fires of longing start to burn,
And pain inside your heart begins to churn,
Don’t let it wound you, don’t let it stay,
They’re not as brave or bold as you each day.
Forget their words — let go, don’t let them in,
They speak and speak, then fall silent again.
Why heed their stings, their spiteful, bitter cries,
When pushing forward makes them cease their lies?

---

Life…
We stand in life’s trials, fierce and wide,
In tunes that shift like the changing tide.
At times we falter, bent by fear and pain,
Our backs bowed low beneath the strain.
But from Allah comes this soul we bear,
And all we do, He makes it fair.
Don’t ever think that I’m too plain —
I’m sharp of mind, from Fergana I came!

Akramov G’ulomnazar Kamoliddin o’gli  was born on April 10, 2008, in Qo‘shtepa district. He studied at School No. 30 in Qo‘shtepa district, later attended the former 1st Specialized Boarding School (IDUMI), and is currently a student in the 11th grade “Blue” class at the Specialized School of Margilan city.

Ghulomnazar Akramov has achieved numerous accomplishments. He is the recipient of over 150 international certificates and has actively participated in national competitions, earning more than 500 certificates, diplomas, and letters of appreciation. He is also the founder of several projects and has been an active participant in regional geography olympiads.

He achieved an 83% proficiency level in the Uzbek language and literature according to the BMBA (Bureau for Measuring Basic Achievement) assessment. His articles have been published in Kenya Times and Classico Opine newspapers in Kenya. His literary works have also appeared in the Reven Gage Zine book published in Germany, as well as on literary websites in Italy.

His book titled “The Generation of the Future” was published by Just-Fiction Edition and Amazon Online Store in the United Kingdom. He is a member of Smile, a national magazine; serves as the district coordinator of the “Dillmir” Youth Voluntary Organization (EVH); deputy regional coordinator of the “Intilish” Youth Organization in Fergana region; and was the third-party nominee of the “Shijoat” Youth Organization in the same region.

Currently, he is the Head of “Golden Wings” in Fergana region and the Chairman of the “Council of Young Reformers” of Fergana region. He is also a member of the Juntos Por Las Letras writers’ association in Argentina and works as an editor for the national “Ijodkorlar” (Creative People) journal.

Hiraeth

Only in silence does it come to you

In waves of sadness and abysmal loss.

Its memory nudges, seems overdue,

A river behind us we can’t uncross.

At night, waking in the wolf’s chosen hours,

I ache for a world that I never quite had

With kin, friends, and the strangest wildflowers,

One wraith whistling through, one kindly nomad.

Or a wondrous boat on a wondrous lake,

Half sunk in the mud, half sparking through space,

Brothers and sisters, its crew at daybreak,

A dream forever, our eternal place.

A Berserker’s Meditation

In cold, in rain, in embattlement dives,

They scare, they come at me, they threaten rout,

Voices that prod, alarm with unsheathed knives.

I duck in plain sight, my long-time hideout.

They scare, they come at me, they threaten rout:

A nature sharpened by those spiteful ways.

I duck in plain sight, my long-time hideout,

My sanctuary from man’s dread malaise.

A nature sharpened by those spiteful ways,

I wing by them, flutter with their echo,

My sanctuary from man’s dread malaise.

I dream of a future, a counterblow.

I wing by them, flutter with their echo,

Whirling on past with a darker domain.

I dream of a future, a counterblow

With sea surge and wind tears—a hurricane.

Whirling on past with a darker domain,

My words well up from the thick ink of youth.

With sea surge and wind tear—a hurricane,

Both metered and wild. All hear ye the truth.

My words well up from the thick ink of youth,

Within me the wolf thrashes for release,

Both metered and wild. All hear ye the truth:

Escape without scruple, never at peace.

Within me the wolf thrashes for release,

Voices that prod, alarm with unsheathed knives,

Escape without scruple, never at peace

In cold, in rain, in embattlement dives.

Being

Awakened to breath, queued up in a birth

That breaks through night’s deep-felt fascination,

You curl to softness of voice and heartbeat,

Then see the spread that winks in new color,

A blush which towers toward a heavy sky

To bell the serpent-predator of space

With electric bursts. The weather pauses

Its cosmic flood. Tottering with children,

A weakened house now centers the tempest

On growing these frantic siblings, these souls

Who fire mythology with new heroes.

You’re one of them, entangled in kinship,

Rooted together before the great storm

Of long separation sparks you ahead.

Bird song welcomes a wind-dried, green moment

Filled with future and final victories

Or failures, smithed in yesterday’s dreamscapes

Of polished words that seem to form themselves.

Interim Ethic

War drums reverse all harmony,

All good; the children of their wrath

And the brittle-boned, a bloodbath

Share, both fate and burst destiny.

Arrogance builds the status quo,

The sated pomp, the prettiness.

All bores brag, sans the dare, the fuss,

As they trip the curving narrow.

The other way, which sets a goal,

It lights the world in what should be,

A faith in our mythology—

A warmth of words, a mountain’s soul.

Grammarian’s Nightmare

The words themselves were rearranged

By other words that had no souls.

It happened thus: the world’s deranged

Marched forward on a bed of coals.

Thief

“Theft is not good for the body”, Proverb

The morning light illuminated the edge of the yard, and Ravshan aka, as always, headed for the barn. Carrying a bundle of hay in his hand, he entered the roof. But… he couldn’t believe his eyes: the yellow cow was gone!

“Maybe it got loose and wandered around the yard,” he consoled himself. But no matter how much he searched, he couldn’t find it. It was as if there was no trace, it had disappeared.

“Jamila!” he called out anxiously. “Who tied the cattle yesterday?”

Jamila answered in a low voice:

“Lutfulla dad, I tied them. But… there’s no cow?”

At that moment, Rustam Baba appeared at the door of the yard. His face was worried, and his eyes were filled with sadness.

“Did you hear that?!” A thief has appeared in the village!

— Oh no! — said Lutfulla. — They stole Akmal’s five chickens!

— Astagfirullah! — said Ravshan aka with a heavy sigh. Could it be that our cow has also fallen into the hands of thieves! They say that thieves are masters of their craft…

Lutfulla looked at the ground and whispered:

— Dad, not even a fly can enter our yard! How can a thief get in? After all, an ox’s jawbone is hung above the tandoor. If a person enters, he will immediately be thrown into the eye…

— Now is not the time for this! — said Ravshan aka, getting angry. The cow that trusted me with my secrets will not come back!

— More stings, hot peppers, eye thorns… — Jamila glared sharply at Lutfulla again. — These protect the yard from misfortunes. Our grandmothers have repeatedly warned us. Oh, don’t interfere in something you don’t understand.

— Ravshan aka, who locked the gate yesterday? — Jamila asked again.

Then Robiya slowly approached:

— Excuse me… I forgot. When I woke up in the morning, the gate was open. I couldn’t say that my brothers had gone out for a run with their friends…

Rustam Baba, he started talking again.

— Someone stole your cow. But don’t rush: someone has been watching your house for a long time, someone did it… They say, “It’s easy to catch a thief from the field, but it’s hard to catch a thief from home.”

Then she turned to Jamila:

— Jamila, hurry up and go to the police station. Only someone who knows would have done this.The morning had not yet dawned, the night was still hanging over the earth, and it was drifting over the village like heavy thoughts. Jamila Yanga, with the anxiety that was tearing at her heart, set off for Sister Zulfiya’s yard. The gentle breeze on the street caressed her face, intensifying the wind of anger in her heart. Sister Zulfiya’s yard was already full of people, everyone was filling their patience cup with their own problems. Jamila Yanga waited. Her legs were shaking, her heart was pounding. Finally, the door opened with a “clack”…

— Ola stole your cattle… your own relative, — said the policeman, breaking the silence that reigned in the yard. — He has been watching you for a month. The day your gate was left open, he accomplished his intention. Now he will sell the cattle to someone who came from Karachay at the Wednesday market. If you don’t believe me, go with your husband and see for yourself. Now, leave your vows and leave.

Jamila Yanga’s heart sank, and the blood drained from her face. She went out into the street and whispered in a daze:

— Really? My own liver, the one I support… How many people have we troubled for this cow… What if her father hears this?

— No, no… — she said to herself. — It’s not for nothing that they say, “A person who steals a needle or loses a cow from someone is suspected”…

The next morning, Ravshan aka and his son Lutfulla set off for the cattle market. They both scattered in two directions and began to look for the cattle.

— Dad, what if what the polvin said turns out to be true?

 — Never mind, my son. If it’s true, this will be the day when the earth will crack and we will be buried. We can’t walk with our heads held high.

In a far corner of the market, Ravshan aka saw a young man holding a cow tightly next to someone who had come from Karacha. He approached cautiously. His instincts were right — it was Jamila Yanga’s nephew.

— This cow is mine. I’m sorry, it’s not for sale. Get out of here quickly! — Ravshan aka said, swallowing his anger.

Lutfulla ran over when he saw his father leading the cattle.

— Dad! Did you find the thief?

— Yes, I did.

— Then show me?

— It’s better that you don’t know you, my son…

— Dad, how many people have we bothered…

— What can I say now? Should I say that my wife’s nephew was stolen? Let the closed pot remain closed.

— Dad, he will be caught one day anyway. Even if you hide it, he will steal again. There is no use in hiding it!

Ravshan aka looked at his son with love. Suffering and the heavy burdens accumulated over the years were visible in his eyes.

— You are still young, my son. One day, you will understand what I have done, — he said, frowning.

When they returned home, Shukr Baba had already arrived, sipping tea. He seemed to have noticed everything.

— But your goods were found in the market. Who stole them? You had half the village investigated. You took up people’s time. You shamelessly suspected even young men who were strangers and came from abroad… Tell me, who was the thief?

Ravshan aka averted his eyes and answered with difficulty:

— I am very tired, Shukr Baba…

— Understandable, so my suspicions were correct. That’s it, be healthy. From now on, don’t forget the gate lock. After all, they say, “The copper of a copper pot will come out, and the smell of the one who closes it will come out.” Everything will be exposed one day anyway.

And Lutfulla, with a broken heart, apologized to all his fellow villagers…

…Six months passed.

While someone was untying the rope of a black ox in the dark courtyard of Zarif aka, who lived in the village of Kiyokli, the owner’s son Azamat caught him and handed him over to the police. This was the same man – Jamila Yanga’s nephew. He swallowed hard and confessed to all the thefts he had committed.

— This is probably what it means when a thief steals and sets off on a journey, and in the end he gets caught…

That day, Shukr Baba said this at a neighborhood meeting:— Ravshanjon kept the secret for six months, but the truth was still revealed. Ravshan deceived so many people. However, the thief was his brother-in-law’s son. Because always be careful of the person who enters and exits your house… It’s not for nothing that they say, “Hold on to yourself, don’t hold your neighbor a thief” _ Shukr Baba…

Abdisattorova Khurshida Suvon qizi was born on November 9, 1997, in the village of Olmazor, Chirakchi district, Kashkadarya region. She is currently a third-year student of Sports Journalism at the University of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Her articles have been published in the newspapers Hurriyat and Vaziyat, as well as on the websites Olamsport and Ishonch. She is also a participant of the international scientific-practical conference titled “Future Scientist – 2025.”