NANU’S CHILDREN
“Nanu
is unwell. He is refusing to smile,” announced the village milk man to another
villager.
The
news galloped at the speed of Arab steeds throughout the village.
Soon,
a few village elders went to Nanu’s house with grave concern writ on their faces.
Nanu
not smiling was kind of a catastrophe in the small village.
The
villagers looked forward to Nanu’s gentle smile everyday even more than to the
mail he delivered.
“Entirely
my fault; I should be hit with slippers for this stupidity!” wailed Nanu’s
wife.
“There
there,” said one of the elders, “Tell us quietly what happened.”
“It
happened a few days back,” said she, “We were discussing this and that.
Suddenly I asked Nanu, ‘You’ve been distributing letters everyday, but have you
ever received even one? No one indeed to write to us.’
From
then Nanu started brooding…and fell silent… and now he is bedridden for the
first time in recent years.”
“You
have foolishly rubbed in about your childlessness… not to worry, he will be
alright,” said the elders.
One
of the few things which could erase Nanu’s smile was the thought of his not
having children. His wife’s insensitive words had made a deep impact on Nanu.
That
evening almost the entire village gathered at the small function hall with
bundles of paper. While the school teacher dictated, others wrote furiously.
***
Next
morning, a big bundle of letters was delivered to Nanu’s house. For the first
time, the postman was literally at the ‘receiving end’.
As
the villagers looked on, Nanu, eyes overflowing with tears, started reading the
letters written by his caring neighbors.
“We villagers are all your children…,” said one.
“You can call me your daughter-will rush to your side whenever
summoned.” wrote a young damsel.
“We
want your smile back, Nanu!” wrote another.
…And so on.
***
Next
day, Nanu was back at work, his warm smile back on his gentle face.
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