Inspiration: Page 5

"One day I went to watch a play with my friends; I reminded Mohan to have his meals before he went to bed. When I returned at 3 am, I found him wide awake. I asked him why was he still awake. "I couldn't sleep," was his meek reply. I stopped watching plays from that day onwards. Children have a deep hunger for love and affection - a hunger that no toys or sweets can satiate. A mother's lap is more precious to the children than all the riches in the world. Mohan was always hungry for love. A creeper on the ground clings to any support; that was the state of Mohan. He had clung to me like a vine, and if I had tried to detach him from me, he would have been torn into pieces. Mohan remained with me for three years, and, after bringing light into my life, he, himself, merged into the darkness forever. Perhaps, God had sent him to make me conscious of my responsibilities; once that objective was fulfilled why should he have remained?"

"It was summer vacation. Mohan had stayed with me during the previous two summer vacations; he did not go home despite uncle's insistence. This time, my friends made plans to visit Kashmir, and I was entrusted the responsibility of organizing the tour. I had always wanted to visit Kashmir, so I did not want to let go of this opportunity. I sent Mohan home and left for Kashmir.

"Returning after two months, I learned Mohan was ill. While in Kashmir, Mohan's thoughts always tormented me and I wanted to cut my tour short. But my friends would not allow it. Upon learning about his illness, I immediately went to uncle's house on the following day. Mohan's body had wasted away owing to illness, but he brightened upon seeing me. I rushed forward and held him in a gentle embrace. There was an ethereal gleam in his eyes that gave a foreboding of his impending death. 'What have you done to yourself in these two months?' I asked him unable to control my emotions. 'You went on a tour to Kashmir, I am preparing for a tour of the sky,' he said with a smile.

"I do not wish to make you weep by narrating this sad story. But, after I left for Kashmir, Mohan started studying so intensely as if it was some sort of penance. All that he wished was to hear a word of praise from me for his efforts. Uncle was so immersed in his work that he could not find time to spend with Mohan. Probably, uncle felt glad to see Mohan studying; he would certainly have scolded the boy if he were playing.

"Mohan started getting fevers. Despite this condition, he did not give up studying. The fever increased. He constantly inquired about me from the servants, 'Is there been any letter from brother? When will he return?' Had I known my Kashmir tour would be an unhappy one, I would never have gone there. I tried my best to save Mohan, but he had contracted typhoid and it claimed his life. His dreams, like the blessings of a sage, spurred me into doing my best, and it is for this reason that you find me in my present position. His pure soul must be rejoicing at my progress and I feel satisfied that I have been able to fulfill his dreams. It was because of his inspiring influence that I could pass even the most difficult examinations; else I would still have been the same stupid Suryaprakash at whose sight you used to squirm."

Since that day, I have met Suryaprakash on numerous occasions. Whenever he came to the village, Suryaprakash would not return without visiting me. He still considers Mohan as his guardian angel. Human nature is a mystery - a riddle that I have been unable to solve till today.

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