“Bolaning ko‘ngli poshsho” is a scene from Oybek’s novella “Bolalik” (Childhood), which is based on his childhood memories. In the street a boy sees a friend with a slice of handalak (a small early melon) and longs for one; he runs home and asks his grandfather. The grandfather first says it is not yet ripe, but so that the child’s heart is not hurt he takes him to the neighbourhood grocer’s shop and buys a small handalak. The saying “bolaning ko‘ngli poshsho” (a child’s heart is a king) means that a child’s wish should be fulfilled so he is not upset – a saying full of affection. The story also vividly paints a Tashkent neighbourhood of the early 20th century, weavers and an old men’s conversation. Oybek became a full member of the Academy of Sciences in 1943 and died on 1 July 1968 at the age of 63.
Worked examples
Example: 1968 − 1905 = 63 – Oybek’s age at death (born in January, died in July).
Example: the grandfather buys a small handalak at the shop and grumbles about the high price, yet still fulfils his grandson’s wish – this shows his thrift and also his love.
Class activity
Discussion: is the saying “a child’s heart is a king” always right? Answer with 2 arguments.
Practice
1
From which novella is the story taken?
From Oybek’s “Bolalik”.
2
What did the boy long for?
A slice of handalak (a small melon).
3
What does the saying mean?
That a child’s wish should be granted so he is not upset – an expression of affection.
4
Why do you think the grandfather bought a small melon?
Handalak was expensive at the local shop; since the boy would not wait, the grandfather could not bring a bigger one from the bazaar, but he bought a small one at once to please him.