“My father is a popular man. Every day, dozens of people come to see him. His phone is ringing all the time. He has hardly any time for anything.”
“My father travels round the world for his business. He employs more than 2000 people. He is on the move all the time.”
And it went on and on. Rajan squirmed in his seat. His son had insisted that he come for the Fathers' Day event at his school. And here he was, listening to the children, each singing praises of their fathers. But Rajan was just a humble clerk. He struggled to cater to his small family’s needs. To make ends meet, he had to drive a taxi part time. And his wife had to baby sit a few children to earn a few extra dollars. In the company of all these distinguished fathers, Rajan felt small and out of place. He gazed at his son, standing at the side of the stage. Soon, it would be Pushpa’s turn. Rajan was overcome with guilt. What could Pushpa possibly say about his father ? Sitting by his side, Leela glanced at him. She instinctively knew what was going through Rajan’s head. She touched his hand, and gave him a squeeze.
Then, Pushpa was at the centre of the stage. He hardly reached up to the microphone. But he stood tall. Rajan was overcome with a mix of emotions. Pride, but at the same time guilt, shame and a feeling of inadequacy.
Pushpa was speaking. Rajan strained to hear every word. “My father is not rich with money. He is not famous. But he is the best. He has unlimited love. His sacrifices cannot be measured. He is here for me. I love him. And he loves me.”
Rajan sat up proudly. His eyes were moist. He wanted to stand up there and then, right in the middle of the hall, and declare “That is my son! He is the best.”
“My father travels round the world for his business. He employs more than 2000 people. He is on the move all the time.”
And it went on and on. Rajan squirmed in his seat. His son had insisted that he come for the Fathers' Day event at his school. And here he was, listening to the children, each singing praises of their fathers. But Rajan was just a humble clerk. He struggled to cater to his small family’s needs. To make ends meet, he had to drive a taxi part time. And his wife had to baby sit a few children to earn a few extra dollars. In the company of all these distinguished fathers, Rajan felt small and out of place. He gazed at his son, standing at the side of the stage. Soon, it would be Pushpa’s turn. Rajan was overcome with guilt. What could Pushpa possibly say about his father ? Sitting by his side, Leela glanced at him. She instinctively knew what was going through Rajan’s head. She touched his hand, and gave him a squeeze.
Then, Pushpa was at the centre of the stage. He hardly reached up to the microphone. But he stood tall. Rajan was overcome with a mix of emotions. Pride, but at the same time guilt, shame and a feeling of inadequacy.
Pushpa was speaking. Rajan strained to hear every word. “My father is not rich with money. He is not famous. But he is the best. He has unlimited love. His sacrifices cannot be measured. He is here for me. I love him. And he loves me.”
Rajan sat up proudly. His eyes were moist. He wanted to stand up there and then, right in the middle of the hall, and declare “That is my son! He is the best.”
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