A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP

A DIFFERENT KIND OF HELP

27-JUNE-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------A stir rippled through the school premises the moment the Collector's car entered. The entire staff snapped to attention; a sudden hush fell over the classrooms, and teachers appeared engrossed in serious instruction. The Principal hurried out of her office to welcome the Collector. Meanwhile, Sarita Devi, a 59-year-old peon sitting on a chair outside the office, hurriedly tried to put on her prosthetic leg. The Collector was walking straight towards her.

Seeing him approach, Sarita Devi grew flustered. Abandoning the attempt to put on the prosthetic leg, she stood on one leg, balancing herself with a crutch. The Collector reached her, then suddenly knelt down and asked, "Amma, don't you recognize me?" Sarita Devi adjusted her glasses with one hand and, in a trembling voice, whispered, "Nandu." Hearing her say his name, the Collector stood up and, calling her "Amma," embraced her warmly. The entire staff watched the scene surreptitiously. The Principal listened in astonishment; she knew Sarita Devi had no children of her own. So, who was this Nandu? The Collector helped Sarita Devi back onto her chair and, while personally fitting the prosthetic leg onto her, said, "I have fulfilled your dream, Amma; look, I have returned as a Collector." Then, turning to the Principal, he said, "I haven't come to inspect the school; I’ve simply come to meet my mother. Whatever I am today, I owe to her. When she was posted in my village, she didn't just provide financial help—she gave me a mother's love. After she retires, I will take her in and look after her myself."

Sarita Devi could not utter a single word. Tears streamed down her face as, overcome with emotion, she kept stroking Nandu's head. Her grievance against God had vanished that day; He had not granted her the joy of bearing a child, but He had provided her with a support for her old age. Keep helping; the Almighty is watching over us all.