A Father with three Sons

He dialed his elder son, the engineer Akhilesh, considered him the pride of the family. Son, we have met with a Car accident.  I am OK, but your mother’s condition is serious.  

Some money is needed as the Doctor suggested an immediate operation and to arrange for blood too… Sixty-two-year-old Ram Lal’s voice was trembling.

Papa, I am very busy these days, I will not be able to come. I have got a job package abroad so I am preparing for the same. Please arrange the money and I will give it to you later. His elder engineer son replied.

In desperate, he called his second son Mithilesh, a doctor, but he followed the same suit, prioritizing a wedding ceremony in his in-law’s house over his ailing mother. But he definitely said that don’t worry about the money, I will send it.

Ram Lal hung up the phone

It is a different matter that he never sent the money. Ram Lal hung up the phone in disappointment…

After getting a disheartened reply from their two so-called proud Sons, Ram Lal lost hope of calling his youngest Son Shyam Lal as he already considered him a worthless person.  When these two worthy sons are not doing anything, then what will that worthless person do?

With heavy steps reached his wife in the hospital and collapsed on the chair…

Tears welled up in Ram Lal’s eyes, blurring his vision as memories flooded his mind. He had spent everything on their education, their weddings, and a lifetime of sacrifices in the name of their success. But where was it now, in this moment of desperate need?

A bitter taste filled his mouth – the taste of a father’s love unappreciated.

Ram Lal closed his eyes and lost in remembering the past…

He was a teacher in the school. They had three sons. The eldest was an engineer and the middle one was a doctor. Both of them were married in big families and lived in different cities with their wives.

The youngest son Shyam Lal was not able to concentrate on his studies, he left studies after 11th and started staying at home. He used to say that I don’t want to do a job, I had to serve my parents, on this matter, Master Saheb was very angry with him…

He called him Nalayak

They had named him Naalayak (worthless). Both the elder brothers were obedient to their father but he used to argue with them even on wrong things. That’s why Ram Lal did not like him…

When Ram Lal retired, the accumulated capital was nothing. All the savings were spent on the higher education of both the children. There was a house in the city and some land in the village. The household expenses were being covered by his pension.

When Ram Lal felt that Chhota (third son) was not going to improve, he divided the land and gave him his share of the land, and sent him to live in the village. Although he did not want to go, he bowed to his father’s insistence and started living in a hut in the village itself.

Ram Lal always used to praise his two promising and capable sons to everyone. His chest would swell with pride. But they did not even take the name of that worthless third Son.

Two days ago, both the husband and wife had an accident, he along with his wife was admitted to the government hospital and the doctor had asked his wife to undergo an operation.

a voice pierced the silence

Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence. “Papa!” There stood Chhota, his eyes filled with concern.

A surge of anger welled up, ready to spill forth. But Chhota’s tearful plea stopped him short. “Why didn’t you tell me? I came as soon as I heard.”

Despite their father’s opposition, he got her mother admitted to a big hospital. Got her mother operated on and also donated own blood. He remained engaged in his service day and night until one day he disappeared.

Ram Lal again started thinking bad about him but he came back on the third day. By the Grace of God, the mother was completely cured within a month. He took leave from the hospital and brought them home. When Ram Lal asked about the bills of the Hospital, he said that it was a charitable hospital and no money was spent.

Gradually everything became normal. One day it suddenly came to his mind that information should be taken about that worthless person. Ram Lal with his wife reached the village farm. They were shocked to see the hut was locked. When asked the man working in his field,

he said – This farm is mine now.

But this farm…they were very surprised. Yes, his mother was seriously ill. He had no money so he sold all his fields. He has gone to another city in search of livelihood, and only this hut is left with him. Here’s his key…the man said.

he suddenly found an envelope on the Table

When Ram Lal entered the hut, he suddenly found an envelope at the Table.  When he opened the envelope, the hospital bill of Rs 9 lakh was kept in it and that started to irritate him.

He said to his wife: Janaki, your son was not only worthless but also turned out to be a liar.

Suddenly tears started falling from his eyes and he shouted loudly:- Where have you gone, you a worthless person? come back once, then I will not let you go anywhere… His wife’s tears were also flowing. That is the tears of regret, of misplaced judgment.

He understood the true meaning of love

Ram Lal, the once proud father, now understood the true meaning of love. It wasn’t in obedience or societal success, but in the quiet sacrifices, in the unwavering presence.

And his ‘worthless’ son had shown him that love in its purest form. He longed to embrace him, to apologize, to finally see him not as a disappointment, but as the hero he truly was.

Now, Ram Lal no longer waits for a successful son. He waits for his son, the one who showed him the true meaning of love, the one who was never worthless, but a treasure he almost failed to see.

BE HAPPY….BE ACTIVE….BE FOCUSED….BE ALIVE…

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Categories: story

Tags: #creativity, #Emotional, #HeartfeltStory, #RegretOfTears, #wellness, bible, bible-study, India, jesus, politics