Bey Ujrat Hunar by Taj Mehmood

”ہنر کی ناقدری کرنے والوں سے اللہ ناراض ہوتا ہے۔ اور ان سے ہنر کی خوبصورتی چھین لیتا ہے۔ اور ان کو ناشکروں کی صف میں شمار کرتا ہے۔“

 کئی ہنر مند اپنے ہنر کی اجرت محض اس لیے نہیں وصول کرتے کہ آیا وہ اپنے ہنر کو، اس پہ لگی محنت کو نہیں پہچانتے یا گر پہچانتے بھی ہیں تو اجرت مانگنے پہ خواہ مخواہ کی شرمندگی محسوس کرتے ہیں۔

ایسا ہی ایک کردار ولی محمد کی صورت میں ”بے اجرت ہنر“ میں دیکھنے کو ملا۔ جو اپنے دوست، بالاج کے توسط سے پہلے اپنے ہنر کی اہمیت سے واقف ہوا پھر اس پہ اجرت مانگنے پہ آمادہ ہوا۔ اور بالآخر اختتام با اجرت ہنر پہ ہوا۔

منظر نگاری پہ بات کی جائے تو لکھاری نے تمام مناظر کو حقیقی بنانے کی حتی المقدور کوشش کی ہے۔ مسجد کے احاطے میں بنی سیڑھیوں پہ بیٹھے ہوئے دو دوستوں سے گاڑی کے تار صحیح کرنے اور اس پہ اجرت مانگنے تک لکھاری نے بہترین منظر نگاری میں کردار سازی کی بھی تشکیل کی ہے۔

پلاٹ سیدھا اور رواں رہا جو قاری کو تفریح کے ساتھ ساتھ انمول حقیقت بھی باور کرا گیا۔

مجموعی طور پہ یہ مختصر مگر پر سوز کہانی ایک اہم موضوع پہ لکھاری کے خیالات کی عکاس ہے جسے انھوں نے آسان اور بے تکلف انداز میں خوبصورت لفظوں میں ڈھال کر قاری تک پہنچایا ہے

“The Price of Talent” (Be Ujrat Hunar) is a heartwarming, deeply reflective Urdu short story that deviates from the usual romantic suspense, fairy tale drama, and enemies-to-lovers tropes — offering instead a story that feels real, raw, and incredibly relevant. It’s a tale of one man, his hidden talent, and the slow yet profound journey of discovering that valuing your own skill is not arrogance — it’s gratitude.

This emotionally rich narrative revolves around Wali Muhammad, a kind-hearted, skilled man who has always offered his craft for free. He never questioned why he didn’t ask for compensation — was it humility? Insecurity? Or simply the shame our society associates with demanding payment for something we love doing? Through his quiet story, readers are made to reflect on how society silently conditions artists and skilled individuals to underprice — or worse, ignore — their own worth.

The change begins when Wali Muhammad’s friend, Balaj, steps in. Balaj is not just a side character — he is the catalyst, the mirror, and the challenger who gently helps Wali realize that his skill is not just a favor to others. It’s a blessing from Allah. And when people fail to respect that blessing, they risk losing it — a concept deeply rooted in both faith and dignity.

If you’re a fan of:

• Emotionally grounded Urdu novels

• Stories with moral and spiritual depth

• Friendship-centered character growth

• Realistic slice-of-life fiction

• Simple stories with powerful messages

• Themes of personal worth and transformation

• Skill, passion, and dignity intertwined

• Social issue-based fiction

• Narratives where action is subtle, but impact is lasting

…then The Price of Talent is exactly the kind of story you’ll want to read and share.

While it doesn’t carry the melodrama of arranged marriage stories, or the heat of a bad boy falling for the innocent girl, it has its own kind of emotional suspense — the suspense of realization, of identity, of dignity reclaimed. It’s a story where the main conflict is internal, and the climax is self-acceptance.

From vivid imagery of two friends sitting on mosque steps to the technical moment of repairing vehicle wires — and ultimately daring to ask for fair compensation — the story’s scene-building is beautifully done. The language is simple, yet powerful. The tone is heartfelt, yet insightful. The pace is steady, allowing the reader to absorb each moment without the need for dramatic twists or high-tension drama.

If you enjoy:

• Stories that celebrate ordinary lives in extraordinary ways

• Themes of gratitude, fairness, and self-respect

• Tales where friendship leads to transformation

• Narratives rooted in faith and everyday struggles

• Heart-touching short stories with strong messages

• Urdu fiction that reflects societal norms and challenges them

• Clean, meaningful reads that leave a lasting impression

…then The Price of Talent is a story worth your time.

In a sea of romantic suspense, revenge dramas, and fantasy fairy tales, this Urdu story dares to be different. It teaches us that dignity isn’t in how loudly we speak, but in how silently we value what we do. That sometimes, a simple act like asking for your rightful wage becomes a revolutionary moment.

A must-read for fans of Urdu literature who crave substance, sincerity, and soulful storytelling.