Long
ago I read such story somewhere. I have just reworded it upon request of my
friend who wanted to share it with her students.
Shirish Ravan (shirishravan@gmail.com)
This is the story about
a young man, who was born to an Indian farmer, pursued his studies and earned great fortune
through his intelligence and diligence graced with respectful and friendly
attitude. At young age he climbed ladder of success and became a millionaire in
United State
Finally, a father
landed in US. Dressed in a Indian village clad ‘Dhoti’ (like Gandhi), he was a strange
object to city people. One evening, a son, delighted in the company of his father,
took him to one of the most prestigious restaurant of the town.
His presence in
the restaurant was weird to many as people saw a man with tanned skin in a village
clad. A father and son enjoyed their dinner. At the end, they received a big
bowl of beautiful red cherries on the table. A father liked those tender
cherries so much that he could not resist grabbing bulk of cherries, unnoticed
by his son. He wrapped those cherries in one corner of his Dhoti…. this is how
he used to carry vegetables and fruits from his farm to home every day. It was an
Obvious way for him to take away cherries.
As he got up from the
chair….. his grip on cherries loosened accidently and all cherries were scattered
on the expensive carpet. Father was ashamed of his act and trembled with a
fear, helplessly awaited his son to blast at him for bringing such an embarrassment.
As he saw other people and restaurant staff strangely looking at him, his eyes
were filled with tears. He started pleading and apologising his son.
However, son
smiled and told his father.. “Wait…. let us pack some cherries for us, they are
really delicious”. He called a restaurant staff and ordered another bowl of
cherries. As they walked out with cherries packed in a box, a miracle happened…
the customers and staff, who were initially looking low at them, stood up and
gave applause full of respect. Everyone noticed childlike happiness in the eyes
of old father.
While in a car,
father thanked his son about his kindness.
A son replied…..
“Father, why
should I feel embarrassed? Who are these people to me who gave strange looks at
us, who are these well dressed waiters to me who laughed at us when cherries scattered
on the floor? I am only one of the customers to them.”
“…..But you are
the most valuable person in my life, you are the one who tanned your skin while
working in the farm to bring me up, you are the one who lived hard life to pay
for my education, you are the one who stayed awake for nights whenever I was ill.
You didn’t
embarrass me at all, rather all others were ashamed of their own feelings after
they realised how we value bond of love than ‘so called’ mannerism that makes people
act. Be yourself my Father and enjoy the fortune God has blessed on us. Nothing
matters me more than a person I value in my life”
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