Seven Days Without Food

In a small village surrounded by green hills and gentle streams, there was a tradition that had been passed down for many generations. It was called “The Test of Strength and Patience.” Every few years, brave men and women would decide to take part in this tradition, spending seven full days without eating any food. They could drink water to stay alive, but nothing more. The purpose was not only to test their bodies but also their hearts and minds.

One warm evening, six close friends decided to take part in this test together. Three were women named Sara, Amina, and Laila. Three were men named Ali, Omar, and Hamid. They were kind and respected in the village. Many people admired their honesty and their strong bonds with each other.

The village elders told them the rules clearly. They would stay together inside a simple wooden house near the edge of the village. They could not leave that house until the seventh day had passed. Every day, someone from the village would visit to make sure they were safe, but nobody could give them food.

Before they began the test, the six friends spent a day with their families. Parents, brothers, sisters, and children all wished them luck. “Be strong,” their loved ones said. “We will wait for you.”

When the morning of the first day came, the six friends walked into the wooden house together. The door was closed behind them. They could still hear the gentle voices of people outside, cheering them on.

Day 1

The first day was not very hard. They all sat together, telling stories and laughing at old jokes. They had drunk water from clay pots and kept their minds busy. Outside, the birds sang, and the warm sun shone through the windows.

As the sun began to set, they felt only a small hunger in their stomachs. But they knew the test would grow more difficult with every new day.

That night, they slept on mats spread across the wooden floor. Even as they slept, they dreamed of food — warm bread, ripe fruits, tasty stews.

Day 2

When the morning light filled the wooden house again, the six friends woke up slowly. They felt a little tired, and their bodies already felt lighter.

Ali sat near the door and listened to the birds. Amina braided her long hair carefully, humming a song that her mother often sang. Omar walked in small circles to stretch his legs. Laila and Sara sat together and whispered to each other, sharing memories of festivals and village dances. Hamid smiled at them all, his hands clasped in his lap.

Though they felt more hunger than before, they were strong in spirit.

That afternoon, the village elder knocked on the door to ask if they were well. “We are,” they replied with one voice.

That night, they slept again on the wooden mats. The house was quiet, and their hunger was louder than their voices.

Day 3

On the third day, their strength began to leave them. They felt the ache of hunger in their stomachs. Every few hours, one of them would drink a small cup of water to ease the pain.

Sara rested her head against the wall, eyes closed. Ali and Omar spoke softly, telling each other about the games they used to play as boys. Laila and Amina braided each other’s hair again, hoping that small things like this would help them pass the time. Hamid sat near the window, feeling the soft breeze on his face.

The day was very long.

By the time evening came, they felt even more tired. Yet nobody thought of leaving. They knew they could do this together.

Day 4

The morning of the fourth day was hard. Their bodies felt heavy, and they spoke less.

But even in silence, they could feel each other’s support. Every so often, one of them would smile at another. Every so often, one of them would put a hand on a tired friend’s shoulder.

Ali sat near the window and thought of his parents. They had been so proud when he decided to take the test. Omar thought of his little brother, who had asked him, “Why do you do this?” Omar had told him, “To see that I am strong inside.”

Laila, too, thought of her parents. She knew they were waiting for her outside the house, hoping that she would succeed.

That evening, the elder came again. “Do you need anything?” he asked gently through the door.

“Nothing,” they replied. “We will continue.”

And so they rested again that night.

Day 5

By the fifth day, hunger had become their constant companion. Every part of their bodies felt empty. Even standing up was difficult.

Yet they found small ways to help each other. Amina would hum a slow song to make them feel calm. Hamid told quiet stories of the hills and rivers around their village, painting pictures with his words.

Ali offered to rub Omar’s shoulders to help him relax. Laila and Sara held hands for a long while without speaking, sharing strength.

The house felt very still. Outside, the world moved on — the village people worked in the fields and fetched water from the well.

But inside, the six friends had only one task: to wait, to endure, and to stay together.

That night was one of the hardest. They barely slept, feeling the deep ache of hunger and the pull of tiredness. But they kept going.

Day 6

When morning light came again, the sixth day began. They were now very weak, and their voices were soft and tired.

Each of them thought about food constantly — warm soup, boiled rice, bread from the village oven.

Yet nobody spoke of food aloud. They knew that speaking of it would only make the hunger stronger.

Ali looked at his hands and saw how thin they had become. Laila closed her eyes, hoping for sleep. Omar lay down and counted his breaths.

Hamid whispered, “Only one more day after this.”

And they nodded.

When the elder came again in the evening, they told him they were well.

“You are very strong,” the elder said through the door.

That night, they all sat together closely. They felt the warmth of one another’s presence. They shared a quiet kind of friendship, one that did not need words.

And even though they felt weak, their hearts were strong.

Day 7

The seventh day finally came.

The morning light was bright and gentle. The six friends could hardly stand, but they felt something new inside — they felt proud.

They had made it this far.

Throughout the day, they stayed close together. The time passed slowly, but nobody gave up.

When the sun began to set, they heard soft voices outside. The elder knocked on the door one last time.

“You have completed the test,” he told them. “You have shown patience and strength.”

And as he opened the door, they saw their families waiting.

Smiling through tired eyes, they stood up together — slowly at first, leaning on one another.

The fresh outside air felt good. The village people cheered softly, careful not to overwhelm them.

That night, they would share a gentle meal of warm bread and simple soup. They would taste each bite slowly and with great joy, knowing that they had achieved something special together.

And forever after that, they would remember the seven days they spent together, testing their strength and patience — six friends who supported one another every step of the way.