'If you look at me, I look at you"
(J.R. LAROIYA, INDOSE) —Short Story
It is rightly said that even godliness is not possible without the kind favour of the Lord. Nek Ram was one such person. He had never believed in God. He would hate even to pass nearby a temple or any such pious place. If by chance he would come across any he would runaway uttering filthy language he could think of at the moment It was difficult to analyse the precise reasons for such an attitude on the part of Nek Ram though it could have something to do with his bad luck and untold miseries which he had to face right from his childhood. While just an infant of about 3 years he lost both his father and mother in a serious road accident though he himself had a miraculous escape. He was brought up as an orphan by some near relative who however, lookup this uncalled for responsibility cursing God in every walk of life Generally half fed and mostly ill-clad doing odd jobs here and there, Nek Ram somehow grew up a young man and married a girl at the direction of his "uncle" who soon afterwards ordered him to leave his house to find his own way out NeK Ram had to shift to a Jhuggi Jopri area of the town with his newly-married wife who was a staunch devote of Shirdi Sai Baba to the great annoyance of Nek Ram. He would loose no time in making it clear to Champa, his wife that he had no faith in any god "But Baba is no ordinary god—He is the Lord the saviour helping one and all who just looks at Him," would Champa plead. "I do not care for such humling. It is used for such silly persons like you to take to every torn dick harry and waste time." reiterated Nek Ram. Neat evening when Nek Ram returned home, he found his wife busy praying before a beautiful full-size photo of Shri Sai Baba Obviously, she had spent a part of Nek Ram's poor earnings. Nek Ram's anger knew no hounds. He pounced upon the poor woman and beat her mercilessly till she fell down sensless. Disgusted he ran out of his jhuggi towards the river bridge with intention to end his own life by plunging into the deep waters. It was pretty dark when he reached the place. While looking for the suitable spot for his mission Nek Ram was attracted by some strange shrills of a child mixed with low but hard threatening male voices Practically effortlessly, Nek Ram proceeded cautiously towards the direction of the sound suddenly he found himself before two awfully cruel-looking persons sand witching a small boy of about 6 "So you have come" said one of them with a wicked-smile, "hurry up and out of with the money if you want your child back alive. It did not take much time for Nek Ram to understand that the gangsters had kidnapped the child for ransom and had mistaken him to be the unfortunate father Nek Ram leaped towards them with a very loud cry like a tiger in such a way that they were taken aback and, anticipating more serious troubles ahead, took to their heals leaving the child behind Nek Ram took charge of the timid looking child. His eyes immediately spotted a small locket containing a beautiful photo of Shirdi Sai Baba sitting on a stone hanging tightly around his neck. Nek Ram felt the thrill of Baba's physical presence before him as if blessing him personally. He realized that it was the kindness of the All-powerful Baba that he could save an innocent child from the clutches of abductors. His head automatically bowed before him and prayed that He may grant him power to restore the child to his parents carrying him at his shoulders he started running towards the town. Hardly had he gone half a kilometer when he saw a frightened man bewildering in the darkness. He happened to be the unfortunate father of the child on his way to meet the gangsters to fulfill their demand On getting back his dear child through Nek Ram he was overwhelmed with joy. He requested Nek Ram to accompany him to his house which he readily agreed The man in question was not an ordinary man He was a rich factories owner of the Panjab who had come to that town to meet his poorer relatives when this accident took place He was so much moved with Nek Rani's life story that he immediately offered him a good job in his factory in the Punjab & requested him to accompany him right then, Nek Ram could not agree. He did not know what had happened to his wife whom he had rendered unconscious in the jhuggi. The rich man accompanied Nek Ram to the jhuggi where they found her hale and hearty sitting before the Baba's photo praying. Seeing Nek Ram she was about to push aside Baba's photo but Nek Ram stopped her "You don't have to do so now, Champa Baba has opened my eyes with his grace. By my more looking at Him even with hatred he bestowed His kindness on me. He has not only saved my life and honour but also saved the life of a small innocent child. Let me bow before Him and beg Him to excuse me for my ignorance about Him."
subhasrini
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI!!!
Let us pray at the feet of Sai Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of all, to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him.
Topic: "If you look at me, I look at you" (Read 1145 times)