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Content Tip
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Children's
Story Writing is a good creative outlet and can be used
to inspire others.
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The Expected
“Lakshmi,
I am going to the office, will you come here?” “Ah! I am coming”
It was the daily routine of Mr. Ramamurthy. His wife has to see
him off when he leaves for work. “Ah! Today will be the last day
isn’t it? I won’t disturb you any more, in the morning” “Stop talking
like this. If not to work, every time you go out I will stand before
you” and she smiled.
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Ramamurthy was
getting retired that day. He had served the electricity board
for 56 years. He had got his daughters and son married with
the money he earned. Today his son was a software engineer
working for a huge company. His daughters were both teachers
and he could give them good amount of dowry and get them married.
He was a proud man, relived of all his duties in life.
He took his old scooter and started it to drive to his office.
That evening he got back home with a garland made of rose
and a suitcase in his hand. He was surprised to see his daughters
and son at home. As soon as he entered the house, his grandchildren
went running and hugged him.
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“Thata must be very
tired don’t disturb him” said his elder daughter. He saw Lakshmi
sitting in a corner of the room. Her face told him everything; there
was something bad waiting for him. He went and sat on the chair
and so did his daughters and son. “Appa, my company is planning
to send me abroad, I require some cash for it” said his son. “Appa,
you know that we are constructing a house isn’t it? There is some
budget constraint in it, I require some money” And he turned to
his little daughter and asked you also need money right? “Appa,
I have to pay school donation for your grandson”
He understood that they had all come to divide the retirement settlement
that he had got and they didn’t come for soothing him on his retirement
day. He opened the suitcase that he had in his hand. It had 6 lakhs.
He dived 2 lakhs for each of them. As he did so he remembered his
colleague’s words, “Keep this money in the bank it will help you
for the days that you will live until your death. Nobody else will
help you other than this money.” Within a few hours, all of them
left not even bothering to thank him or talk few soothing words.
Lakshmi sat in the same corner she didn’t speak even a word. “What
Lakshmi, are you wondering what would we do for our future? Your
husband has no earnings now and no job, no money.”
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She smiled and
said, “This was expected. I know about you very well. You
only know to love selflessly. You will give everything that
you have to anyone who asks. And when it’s your own children
who asks, will you say no” and she smiled. She gave him a
bank passbook. “I saved some money from the money that you
used to give me every month, and I saved it in a bank, without
your knowledge for all these years. I know there would be
a day when you would require this.” She coughed, “I am diabetic
and I will not live for many years more. From the day of our
marriage till now, I have done all that I could to keep you
happy, after I die our children will not help you, so I wish
to help you with this money.”
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Ramamurthy had his
own saving and he never used even a rupee from the account that
his wife had maintained. After few years that account had nil balance,
he wondered how to make ends meet. That night, Lakshmi silently
passed away in her sleep, all the money that was in her account
was transferred to him as he was the beneficiary. The next day Ramamurthy
used the money that his wife had saved, for her funeral rites. It
was only then he released there could be so many relations on earth
but only those who loved you true would help you in your last days.
That evening he told his son, “Son I will not live long. When I
die withdraw money from this account and use for my funeral, my
wife’s soul will rest in peace” as he said tears rolled out of his
eyes.
Contributing
Story Teller
Leena Bose,
I am a creative writer. I have a triple masters in Literature and
Mass communication. I love to write and I started writing at the
age of 16. I am a freelancer for Women's Era, a Times group magazine.
I love challenges in life and also my profession. I am a go-getter
and believe in teamwork rather than be a one women army.
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