The Hungry Baby …

I had heard this story long ago. Every time I still remember this story, something within me cries. Hope this connects with you too – There was a very poor family staying on the street. The family was – father, mother and a child about 4 year old. The father and mother used to beg on street and get some alms. If they were lucky, someone would hand over food to them. Today it was raining very heavily. So much so that it was impossible to go out and beg for alms. The father and mother stayed indoor. Today they didn’t get any food or any money to buy something to eat. Somehow they ate whatever little was left from yesterday and had their afternoon meal. They had nothing left now. It was evening and they were very hungry. The parents knew there was nothing left to eat and didn’t have any ingredients to cook either. They knew they had to sleep hungry. The little one didn’t have any clue of the situation. Like a normal day, he started nudging the parents for food. They kept giving excuses and avoiding the answer. More than an hour passed. The child wasn’t able to understand why he wasn’t getting any food. The mother understood that now the child will throw tantrums if they kept giving reasons. So, she lit the fire for namesake and put water to boil. The child was glad. He knew food was coming. The water kept boiling and mom kept stirring the water. The child was looking at the process and felt food was cooking. Once or twice the child asked whether food was ready. Mom told him that it was going on; due to rains it was cooking slowly. The mother had tears in the eyes but kept looking away. The child started crying out of hunger. The father embraced him, tried to distract him and consoled him. Tired of crying and hunger, the child went off to sleep without eating that evening. The mother put out the fire knowing the purpose of lighting the fire was over. As I write this story, I am getting goosebumps now. Though it’s just a story, I think it is extremely relevant to each one reading this blog. Let me explain – in this story, as a parent, it was their responsibility to able to feed the child. But they failed. When they knew their situation, whether they should have even thought of having a child? Similarly, if you are a parent or an employer who is responsible for someone else – meaning people are dependent on you for something, it is our duty to stand tall and ensure we give what ought to be given to them! As a parent, ensure – you give enough time to your kids; they get the basic necessities of life without compromising (here we are not talking about luxuries at all); good manners and habits; good circle/ surroundings to grow; appropriate education; good treatment; emotional and mental balance; and values! The kids are looking up to you as a mentor and guide. Yes, they might fight, oppose or also back answer; but yet our role is extremely important for them. What we as parent can do, no one else can! If you are employer (be at home or office), you must make sure – you are paying them salaries on time; giving them respect for what they are offering; provide appropriate environment; ensuring their safety; and help them when they get stuck instead of getting angry. Yes, people working at our place might create errors and a few will act unexpectedly sometimes. But we need to understand that they are trusting us and offering a major part of the day for us! They are dependent on us to run their families. It’s time we understand – as a parent or an employer, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY! We shouldn’t be like those parents, who fool the child by stirring the water until he goes off to sleep! It is our DUTY to take care of them!