Once upon a time there lived a boy named Rajiv. He lived with his mother, Sita, in an old house. His mother sold vegetables in the market near to their home. She worked whole day and never took a rest. She lived only for her son but her son only lived for alcohol. He hated his mother for being poor. Every night and day he would drink excessively. His mother would beg him to stop but he never took heed to what she said.
One night, while drinking in the bar, he felt a heavy feeling in his chest, which was followed by unbearable pain. Beads of perspiration ran down his face. He felt as if his heart wanted to jump out of his chest. He was soon lying motionless on the ground, unable to say or do anything. In a split second he saw his entire life flash before his eyes.
This was interrupted by a bright flash of light. He saw a beautiful lady all dressed in a yellow saree, sitting on a fierce but tame tiger. Silver sparks shimmered in the pitch black background that surrounded her. She had a wonderful warm smile, which spread over her face. ‘Deeyas’ surrounded her. She talked directly to Rajiv. She said, “Rajiv, why are you doing this? Why Rajiv? Why?” He opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. Tears were the only thing that came out, buckets of tears. A smile came over Maa Durga’s face. She said, “Son, you don’t have to say anything. I understand everything.” She continued, “The person you need to apologize to is your mother. You have hurt her son. You have hurt her.”
Just then the room went pitch black. Nothing could be seen and nothing could be heard. He awoke on a hospital bed unable to move. The doctors told him that he had a heart transplant and that a generous donator gave her heart willingly. Rajiv asked the doctor who donated the heart and the doctor replied that it was his mother. Rajiv froze in astonishment, tears filled his eyes. The only thing he wanted to do was to apologize to his mother but it was too late. Her mother gave him a heart filled with love but all he had given her was hatred.
All of a sudden the electricity went, the room went pitch black. A gold spark shimmered like a diamond in the dark. It was the soul of his mother. She said, “Son you never gave me love, only hatred, but a mother always forgives.” She continued, “I have loved you and I will always love you my son. I will always be with you. You have my heart forever. Bye son, bye.” Rajiv cried and cried his eyes out.
Moral of the story: Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short time but hold their hearts forever. Never treat you mother badly and never think you have all the time in the world because people don’t last forever and time waits for no one. You will never miss the water until it runs dry.
By: Radha Sookram, Form 3 student of Swaha Hindu College
