The Flower that Blossomed in the Fresh Summer Rain
Jagannathan Mesri was constructing a house near the Karoor Church. It was a two-storied building belonging to a relative of Kottaram Koshy. In the hot sun Mesri felt that his body was melting. He moved to the shade. After wiping the sweat on his face and neck with the towel he drank some water. It was then that the advocate reached there. Jagannathan went towards Koshy with a hearty smile. Koshy enquired about the work and then about Jacky. On speaking about his son, Mesri’s face shone with happiness. After some time Koshy entered the house, gave the Mesri some directions about the work and left.
It was true that Jagannathan Mesri had built many magnificent houses. But he had no interest in luxury or pleasure. What is there to be proud about a big house? For some it is a source of pride while for some others it is a reason for vanity. Everyone wishes to have a home and address of one’s own. But Mesri did not understand how this leads to vanity.
While fixing one brick above the other, Jagannathan Mesri called out to Molly: “Molly bring some mixture quickly” At that time Molly was in the next room talking to Krishnan the man with large whiskers. Mesri knew about the closeness between them. The brightness in Molly’s eyes and the lustful look and behaviour of Krishnan declared that they were not as innocent as they pretended to be. How long had they been working with him; ‘The others were working in the adjacent room. There were four masons and three helpers that day. On most of the days there had been twelve to fifteen men working under him. There would always be two women. Today they are Molly and Anitha. Molly quickly come to Jagannathan carrying a basin of cement mix. The Mesri was still thinking about his son.
Since the time Jacky said that he wished to study abroad. I was wondering how it could be made possible. He should not have my experience in life. Boys of his age flash about in expensive motor cycles. He has never asked me anything. He knows that his poor father could never satisfy these demands with his scanty income. So he never makes any request like that. That is because of the goodness of his heart. Though a college student he took the workman’s tools to assist me. How much that action did surprise me!
As he worked with us, his mother and myself, had shed tears secretly. He always cares for his parents who bear the heavy responsibilities of the family. It may be because we have brought him up with pure, selfless love and care “Deep thought leads men forward to reality. Jagannathan knew that his son was not a person who runs away from reality. Perhaps, his reading habit might have created this realization in him. While his friends wasted their precious time before the T.V, in cinema halls and liquor shops, Jacky turned his attention to books.
Many of those friends have fallen into bottomless pits of suffering and starvation. Let him travel away from this small world into the wider world.
The gold plated sun stood directly above their heads. When Jacky expressed his desire Jagannathan thought about it for long. It was not right to nip his desire in the bud. It should be satisfied. That was why he consented to take the education loan, pledging all the wealth he had. Now the desire is fulfilled. Mesri felt great elation and excitement. All his sufferings were going to end.
The master mason that he was, Jagannathan began to show great enthusiasm in his work. He cut a brick into two with a single stroke. The brick which had been just clay once, now is being used to build houses and lives longer than men.
You blind bricks! You have witnessed so many incidents sitting on the walls of human houses. How many dramatic scenes have you seen! The sun, rain or wind does not worry you. You cannot blossom like a flower, produce fruits like a tree, mate like animals or think like human beings. Yet you protect man and give him happiness by moulding a shelter for him and his dear ones.
My life is also like this broken brick. Oh no, I should not think like that. These broken bricks and small pieces together build up the beautiful walls of our houses. The broken bricks are like shattered ambitions in life. We should not lose faith or expectations. It is nice if the living man can learn a lesson from these lifeless bricks.
Big and small bricks together make a house. Similarly, if people unite and work together they can finally reach their destination. There is a solution for every problem in life. But one should work hard with determination. Getting worried or waiting quietly will not help you to achieve anything. Consider human life as a huge mountain. We have to collect rocks from there piece by piece and make our beautiful house. If the foundation is made by strong pieces of rock, no strong wind or devastating current will be able to shake it. That is what is called a life with a perfect foundation.
(Cont’d)
