The Path to Change

 1

The city at night is like a sleeping giant—a gentle mist in the sky, a light touch of winter in the air. Shadows hang long under the street lights, as if someone's secret pride. Everything is silent except for the sound of a dog barking somewhere in the distance. Anwar Hossain, a man in his forties, walks slowly in such silence. There are lines of thought on his face, a trace of fatigue in his eyes.

The weight of a pistol hidden in his jeans pocket seems to be pulling his soul, not his body, downward. Every step is like a conflict—to move forward on the wrong path or to turn back for the last time.

2

Anwar was once a brilliant student. He was one of the highest scorers in the university. His dream was to become a teacher, to give something to society. But when the battle for bread and bread begins between dreams and reality, many times the desires of the soul have to be crushed.

Despite many efforts after studying, he could not find a job. Time after time passed, no desired work came to hand. Poverty was a constant companion in the family. His wife Sabina, in whose eyes Anwar had once become the prince of his dreams, now saw only a shadow of worry.

Every day when the little boy, Muntasir, asked his father for something, Anwar's heart would cry.

Finally, one day, all hopes were shattered and he started driving a rickshaw.

For the first few months, he fought only with self-respect. "You were so talented, you are doing this job today!"—Even though he didn't say these words, the eyes around him seemed to say them every day. Still, he didn't stop. Family was the only reason for his survival.

3

One day, he met an old friend on the street. His name was Kamal.

"Hey brother, how are you?"

"Are you... going?"

"It's hard to believe that a man like you is driving a rickshaw. Come on, meet Matin brother. You will get a job."

Matin Bhai, I was a little hesitant at first when I heard the name. I knew that the man was involved in petty crime. However, the truth that 'policy is not bigger than food' was quite understandable at that time.

Life took a turn in one night. The gang's work began - at first just delivering goods, then gradually taking on bigger responsibilities.

4

A small school in a corner of the city - a glimmer of light, where children from poor slums study for free.

The founder of this school is Jahanara Begum. She is almost fifty years old, but her mental strength is like a mountain.

She believed, "If I can give a book to a child, he will change society one day."

Life in the slums is difficult. Drugs, theft, and violence are commonplace there. Still, Jahanara Madam did not give up. But for some time, she had been noticing that some students were not coming to school, and even when some did come, there was a strange emptiness in their eyes and faces.

One day, something like powder fell from a student's notebook. He was startled.

“What are these?”

The boy lowered his head and said, “They say that eating them makes you feel lighter...”

It was like a declaration of war to him. The darkness of society wanted to put its paw on his lamp of light. He decided that something had to be done. But there was only one question—who would help?

5

He remembered that student named Anwar. Who had once studied in this school.

He called him.

One evening, Anwar came, his head down, his eyes uncertain.

“Do you know what is happening around you?”

“Madam, I…”

“I know that you are working with Matin Bhai. But do you know who this work is harming? You are poisoning the very people I am fighting for.”

These words struck a chord in Anwar's heart.

He did not answer. He just said, “You’re right, but what should I do now?”

6

That night Anwar couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about his son’s face. What if someone gave him drugs? What if Muntasir also became like this?

The next day, Matin Bhai told the gang at a meeting,

“This is a big deal. Bank robbery. Everything is planned so that the police don’t notice anything.”

Anwar knew that now was the time.

7

He went to the police station and bravely spoke to an officer. He told everything, without hiding anything.

“I have a family. I have committed a crime, I admit it. But this time I want to do something for society.”

The officer was surprised. No one had ever come so clearly before.

They promised to protect him. They just wanted information about the exact time.

8

The morning of the robbery. Anwar entered the bank with the gang. The police were ready outside.

As soon as he entered, he gave the signal.

Within a moment, the police entered, and the entire gang was arrested.

Anwar surrendered, laying down his weapons.

“I am guilty. But I want to change.”

9

After confessing in court, his sentence was reduced. While in jail, Anwar focused on his studies, reading religious scriptures, and reflecting.

One day, he said to some prisoners,

“Do you know that the outside world is waiting for you?”

They were surprised. One of them asked, “You were a criminal, what is this now?”

“Yes, I was. But I wanted to change. You can too.”

10

Two years later, Anwar was released. First, he went to Jahanara Madam’s school.

“Madam, I am back. This time I really want to change.”

Jahanara Madam was silent for a while and then said,

“I I knew you could do it.”

Now he not only teaches at school, but also talks to the parents of the children. He conducts seminars for the youth of the slums, organizes book reading festivals.

Those who were once afraid of him now respect him.

Once a teenager said,

“Brother, we get courage when we see you.”

11

There is a change in the city now. The influence of drugs has decreased, there is new enthusiasm among the youth.

One day, a small child came and asked,

“Sir, were you really bad before?”

Anwar smiled, “I was. But you are the proof that I have changed.”

The child smiled and hugged him.

Jahanara Madam looked at him from a distance and said,

“You are my greatest pride, Anwar. Because you have shown that people can change if they want to.”

12

**The path to change is never easy. But with courage, desire, and the right guidance, people can change not only themselves—but also the entire society. Even a criminal can become a hero—if he returns to the truth.**

................................................................................The End......................................................................