28 - Gift Of Knowledge

Once, Bhai was taking presence in the class. Roll number sixteen was absent for last two-three days. Bhai asked the student who used to sit next to him,‘Why is your friend absent?’ The boy replied,‘Sir, his mother is not feeling well. Therefore he is absent.' Bhai inquired,‘Why? Is there nobody else at home?' The student replied,‘No, only two of them are staying together.' Bhai said,‘After the school is over would you take me to his place?' The boy consented.

In the evening, Bhai went to the boy's house. The boy was attending to his mother. Bhai was pleased to notice this. Looking at Bhai the boy quickly got up and said,‘Sir, you! At my place!!' Bhai informed,‘You are not attending school, so I thought, let me go and checkup. This is the holy dust of the feet of God. Mix it with water and give it to your mother to drink. God will certainly cure her.’ Mother of the boy said,‘Sir, you took time to visit me and brought God's offerings also. Thank you very much. Nobody visits us. My son always talks about you. You are a great saint. You are very kind. Bless me to become allright soon. There is none to look after my son except me.' Bhai consoled her,‘Mix the dust of feet of God with water and drink it. I will pray to God. God will definitely cure you.' Bhai congratulated the boy,‘You are doing very good. Everyone must serve their parents. By serving them we attain the blessings of God.'

The boy said,‘But sir, my studies are affected. My absence is marked in the school.' Bhai assured him,‘Please do not worry. I will speak to the principal. He will grant you leave of absence. Do not worry about studies also. Whatever you have missed, I will teach you later.' Mother of the boy interrupted.‘No, no sir, he himself will cover it up.' Bhai asked,‘But how could he learn himself without studying in school.' Mother said,‘He will manage it somehow.’ Bhai insisted,‘But if I teach him in spare time, why do you object?' Mother said,‘Spare time means more money. I work in other people's houses and feed him. I pay the school fees with difficulty. How could I afford tuition fees? No, sir, he is brilliant. He will manage it.' Bhai was shocked, -‘What are you talking? Your son is clever. He should not lag behind in studies. He can get good marks in exams. That is why I want to teach him. When did I ask for money? I am going to teach him without any money in spare time.' Mother of the boy was surprised,‘Sir, what are you talking? Without charging any money, are you going to teach my son?' Bhai confirmed,‘Yes, of course. After school, I will teach him for some time.'

The mother of the boy still couldn't believe this. So she asked again,‘But extra money?' Bhai reassured her,‘Lady, I am not asking a single paise. These days his studies are affected. When he begins to attend the school, I will make him sit after school every day. In a few days he will cover up everything.' Mother's eyes were full of tears. She spoke,‘Sir, you will be wasting your time.’ Bhai said,‘I am a teacher. In teaching someone my time is not wasted. Imparting knowledge is the biggest charity.' Mother of the boy broke down. She said,‘Sir, I wish all the teachers were like you! Boys from poor families like us could study properly. Otherwise if they have remained absent, they fail the exams. And they have to leave their studies.'

Bhai said,‘Your son is brilliant. Please, make him study!' Mother replied,‘Sir, for his sake, I am working so hard. He has a teacher like you. So I am not worried about him. Other teachers are greedy for money. I will never forget your favour.' Bhai replied,‘I am not doing any favour. This is my duty. I am doing my job.' Bhai told the boy,‘Attend the school, only when your mother feels better.' The boy was choked with emotions. He bowed down to Bhai. Bhai took their leave. Mother and son, both of them saw him off with reverence.

Difficult words:
To attend to - To serve
To grant - To sanction, to allow
To interrupt - To stop in between
To see off - To say good bye

Points to ponder:
- Everything is secondary compared to serving one's parents.
- Bhai teaches us that we should do our duty honestly. We should not be greedy for money.

Exercise

Answer the following questions:
1. Why was the student absent in the school?
2. When Bhai reached the house, what was the boy doing?
3. What did Bhai give to the boy?
4. When did Bhai offer the student to teach?
5. Why was the mother of the boy surprised to know that Bhai was going to teach extra hours?

Fill in the blanks:
1. The boy was _____________ his mother.
2. This is _____________ of God.
3. Everyone must serve one's _____________.
4. When did I ask _____________?

Explain with reference:
1. You took out time to visit me and brought God's offerings also. Thank you very much.
2. When did I ask for money? I am going to teach him without any money in spare time.