The Hermit – Children

The old hermit lived in busy streets of Malleshwaram, Bangalore City. Unlike the way he normally dressed in  villages with a dhoti or a kameez, the old hermit dressed in white shirt and white pant with thick glasses looked  like any retired government officer. He was fondly known as Thatha by the neighbouring kids.

Thatha lived alone in a comfortable independent house. No one knew where his family… was. All assumed his  children were rich NRI software engineers. Thata was unlike other old uncles in the neighbourhood who chased young boys playing cricket. In fact Thata was calm and peaceful. He let them pluck fruits and flowers from his garden. In exchange of his good behaviour, the neighbouring women gave him cooked food.

They also insisted  to help him with chores but Thatha preferred working alone.
One day, Thatha was planting yet another sapling in his garden, when he heard a noise. It was Babloo’s mother,  Meena. Meena slapped Babloo for failing in three subjects. And she cried after slapping him more harder.

Babloo cried and locked himself in the room. Meena knocked the door, but Babloo refused to open. Meena then called Thatha to intervene.” Thatha! Thatha! How do I make this naughty boy understand? If I scold him he does these stupid things. Why is this parenthood so difficult Thatha? ”

Thatha asked Meena to sit down on the metal chair in his garden.” Being a Parent can be difficult if you try to control a child. I know every mother wants something for their child but children are independent beings.

You may have carried him in your womb for 9 months but you were just a medium to bring him in this world.”
Meena was shocked with these words of Thatha and curtly said,” So that means whatever I bore, tolerate and  took pain for him has no value? As a mother don’t I have the right to think good and bad for my child? correct him when he is wrong? He is my child after all”
Thatha continued calmly, ” He is not yours or anyones. He belongs to the world like you and me.

We are the children of this universe. The universe chooses mediums to deliver. Your duty is to make him aware of the  consequences. Watch him and not decide or control him. There will be days when you dislike his choices, you may not like his friends, you may not like his girlfriend or wife later or his job, his career. He may be a child but he may also dislike certain things in you. Love him but without possessing. Correct him without controlling.”

” But, how …” thought Meena. Meena went home wiser that day. She calmly called Babloo and this time he felt safe to come out. He predicted the tornado was quiet. Babloo looked into his mother’s eyes.

She cried and  hugged him. She told Babloo that her intention was not hurt him or demean him. She just wanted best out of him. Babloo understood his mother and told her his difficulties. Meena listened and Babloo didn’t score first in exams but he managed to pass. But Meena was happy nevertheless.