He was pruning the plants in the posh gardens of an International school.
The scorching heat and dust didn't seem to affect him….
"Ganga Das, Principal Ma'am wants to see you…. right now".
The last two words of the peon had lots of emphasis on them, trying to make it sound like an urgency.
He quickly got up, washed and wiped his hands and headed towards the Principal's chamber.
The walk from the garden to the office seemed never ending... his heart was almost jumping out of his chest….
He was trying all the permutation and combination to figure out, as to what has gone wrong that she wants to see him urgently....
He was a sincere worker and never shirked from his duties...
knock knock...
"Madam, you called me?"
"Come inside..." an authoritative voice laced with crispness made him further nervous...
Salt n pepper hair, tied neatly in a french knot, a designer sari-sober and very classic, glasses resting on the bridge of her nose...
She pointed out towards a paper kept on the table...
"Read this"...
"B..but Ma'am…. I don't know to read....
Ma'am please forgive me if I have done anything wrong... give me another chance...
And he broke down in fear….
"Hold on, you assume a lot... Let me call a teacher in, she will read it out and translate it to you...."
Soon enough the teacher was called and she started reading it, translating each line in Hindi...
It read- Today is Mother's Day and we have been asked to write an essay on “Mother”….
I belong to a village in Bihar, a tiny village where medical and education still seem like a far-fetched dream. Many women die every now and then while giving birth. My mother was one of them too. She has never held me in her arms. My father was the first person to hold me…. or perhaps the only person.
Everyone was sad and angry at me.. as I was a girl and I had "eaten up" my mother at birth itself.
My dad was instantly asked to remarry but he refused.
My grandparents forced him by giving all logical, illogical and emotional reasons but he didn't budge. My grandparents wanted a grandson, they threatened him to remarry else he will be disowned...
Without giving a second thought, he left behind everything…. his acres of land, all his relatives, friends, comfortable house, cattle, rather everything that will count for a good lifestyle in a village.
He came to this huge city with absolutely nothing, but me in his arms. Life was tough, he worked hard day and night.. raised me with tender love and utmost care.
Now I understand why suddenly he developed a dislike for things that I would love to eat when there was only one piece left in the platter.... he would say that he hates eating it and I would finish it considering that he does not like it.... but as I grew older I realized the reason and what sacrifice is all about.
He gave me the best possible comforts beyond his capacity.
If love and care defines a mother... then my father fits in there.
If compassion defines a mother, my father fits in well in there too...
If sacrifice defines a mother, my father dominates that category.
So in nut shell.. if a mother is made of love, care sacrifice and compassion...
MY FATHER IS THE BEST MOTHER ON EARTH
On Mother's Day, I would like to wish my father for being the best parent on earth... I salute him and say it with pride that the hardworking GARDENER working in this school is my father.
I know I may fail this test after my teacher reads this…. but this would be a very small price one would pay towards an ode to the selfless love of my father.
Thanks"
There was a deafening silence in the room... one could only hear soft sobbing of Ganga Das....
The harsh sun could not wet his clothes with sweat but soft words of his daughter had soaked his chest with tears.... he was standing there with hands folded….
He took the paper from teacher's hands... held it close to his heart and sobbed.
Principal got up.. offered him a chair, glass of water and said something... but, strangely the crispness of her voice was taken over by a surprising warmth and sweetness....
"Ganga Das.. your daughter is given (Blank)/10 marks for this essay.... Her Teacher has felt that this essay is far beyond her capacity to be assessed. We all felt that this is the best essay on a Mother ever to be written on a Mother’s Day….
"You are a True Gardner, who is not only looking after the gardens, but also nurturing the most precious flower of your life in such a beautiful way...."
We are having the Mother's Day gala event tomorrow…"So Ganga Das, will you be our Chief Guest for the event?"
This is to honor all the love and sacrifice a man can do to raise his children... to show that you do not have to be a woman to be the perfect parent...
Just a Blank…. White….
Ceiling....
