A Mother and The Three Sons

-Kamal Shrestha

There was a small family living in a countryside area— a mother and three sons. The mother was so much loving and caring to them. She grew them well and had given a good education. Once they had received their degree from the university, they left home in search of good job opportunities in the biggest city.

They found good careers for them as they had expected there in the biggest city. They were very honest and hardworking guys. They invested their full time in the business of a company. So they were able to expand the business of the company worldwide soon. They received numerous awards and prizes. Their life were full of happiness, excitement and prosperous one touching the height of success as sky-crapper buildings.

So many years after, they became rich and prestigious people in the world and thought to have a dinner together purposefully in a Five-Star hotel, this time. They had a great talk together until midnight. Their success story of a life was so remarkable and influencing to common people. They were happy to share their precious moment of the lifetime. And, The birthday of their mother was coming near. So, they discussed the gifts that they would be able to give their elderly mother for her seventieth birthday.

The first said, “I built a big smart house for Mom near the countryside home. She will love it. That smart house is digitally equipped with updated security system and alarm” The second said, “I will send her a Audi RS7 with a intelligent driver.” The third happily smiled and said, “I’ve got you both beat in this time. You know how much our mother loves and enjoys the Ramayan and the Bhagwat Geeta. And, all of you know she can’t see very well and read those lines perfectly. I will send her a brown parrot that can recite the entire Ramayan and Geeta. It took 30 senior hindu priests in a Lord Shiva Temple 12 years to teach him. I contributed Rs. 100,000 a year for 12 years, but it’s worth of it. Mother just has to name the “Chapter” that she wants to listen and the parrot will recite it melodiously.” As they discussed, they sent their gift on the very 70th cheerful birthday of their mother. Their happiness knows no bounds.

Soon thereafter, their mother sent out letters of thanks to each of them individually. And, again three sons planned to have a dinner in the same hotel as before to read out letter about their gift as they claimed better. She wrote to the first son,

“My Dear Son, Binaya,

Thanks for the gift.

The house you built is not practical for me as you know I am too old to handle it perfectly.  Wherever I go in bed room, living room or in the kitchen, it checks security system and alarms, if it is not matched. When the water tank is full, it alarms loudly, so irritating and disturbing. If someone wants to visit my house and meet me. The security system doesn’t allow me to get the visitor inside without updating security system. I am totally living in a digital house which is not of my choice in this age. It’s disgusting. And the big problem is— I live in only one room, but I have to clean and maintain all the things of the whole house including 12 big rooms.

I wish you will help me to get rid of it. Thanks.” She wrote to the second son,

“My Dear Son, Rajan,

Thanks for the gift.

The car is looking awesome as I see. But I am too old to travel, my son. Most of the time, I stay at home and I like to spend little bit time for gardening. So I never use the Audi Car. The driver always sleeps with loud music in the car. I feel so irritable and yell at him “Stupid.”  His behaviour is also too rude. He always asks for tips and pocket money without any work and takes three times meal in a day. Totally insane and rude guy! He doesn’t even respect to me.

I wish you will sell it with driver to get rid of it. Thanks.” And at last, she wrote to the third son,

“Dearest Anmol,

Thanks for the gift. Is there everything alright?

How well are you there?

It’s my pleasure to share you my happiness in this old age. Lots of thanks and blessings for you, my son. I wish you will always love and care me as such.

You are the only son to have the good sense to know what your mother likes. The chicken was delicious. Thank you so much.”

(I tried to give new taste in this story. Hope you have enjoyed it. Thanks.)