As a working mother I am busy from morning till evening as all working mothers with the balancing act of work and family life.Being mother of two teenagers now I recall an incidence when my sons were just seven and five years old.The incidence was a learning from my little ones about the wonders of life.
To look after my babies I hired a little girl of thirteen years old from a nearby village, who would come in the morning and stayed till evening until I came back from office .She was a sweet , smiling and joyful girl who very nicely handled my children. Mamoni took care of them, played with them.Even she monitored whether they were studying when I gave them tasks in the afternoon,when they were doing their drawing homework given by Art teacher.Though she was not literate.
My elder son one day asked for a extra notebook and drawing book.I gave him. After one month there was a drawing competition in our town for children. The theme was Pollution.My elder son became the winner.The drawing was exhibited in the auditorium where the prize ceremony was held.Myself , my husband and the art teacher were present during the ceremony.My elder son Deep requested me “Mummy I want to take Mamoni di with me.”So she was also present. We were astonished as what he drew was not the drawing his art teacher has taught.It was a village lady cooking in a chulha with smoke coming out and the lady was coughing. Chulha is a earthen stove used by many villagers still in India.The fuel is coal and cow dung cakes.His name was announced for the prize. He took Mamoni by hand and stepped up in the dias. After receiving the trophy he handed it over to Mamoni and said,”Mamoni di is the winner as she taught me this theme and how to draw it.”
A great round of applause filled the air.My younger son ran up the dias and started clapping and running around Mamoni.Tears rolled down Mamonis eyes and mine.The art teacher embraced my son and Mamoni.I was proud both for my son and Mamoni.I was ashamed that for so many days I did not recognize the talent in Mamoni, but my son only of seven years and five years recognized.As they were children their heart was open and they could see the wonder in Mamoni.
The little children are images of God their heart and mind are pure.Now I realized as to why Deep had asked for one notebook and drawing book.I came back home and told Deep to show me the books.I was stunned to see that in the notebook all the alphabets were written and numerals 1 to 100 was practiced.My son was teaching Mamoni to read and write.In the drawing book I could see beautiful pictures of flowers, fruits, scenarios , animals all drawn by Mamoni as she could see and feel the wonder of life in village and in nature.She did not need a art teacher as her eyes, mind and heart were open to the wonders of nature created by GOD.
Children are open to the wonders of GOD and Nature. But as they grow up in to elders, we human beings lose that wonder in our eyes, mind and heart gradually in this mundane busy world of ours.
The children taught me to open up again to these little wonders, as this is the way to a joyful and happy living.From then I always try to keep myself open.
So to live a joyful and happy life please
“OPEN YOUR EYES,
TO THE BEAUTY AROUND YOU.
OPEN YOUR MIND ,
TO THE WONDERS OF LIFE.
OPEN YOUR HEART,
TO THOSE WHO LOVE YOU.
AND ALWAYS
BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.”