Aditya, a student of fourth standard while reading a lesson of his textbook, encountered with a difficult word. Generally, it was his mother who always helped him to learn, read and understand new words, with correct pronunciation and its meaning, unfortunately, she was away. Hence, Aditya got stuck. Well, at his home, there are three helpers who help his mother to carry the day-to-day household work.
Aditya, without any hesitation, went to Sravan Bhaiya and asked him the word which was difficult for him to utter. Sravan, with dropped jaws, looked into the innocent eyes of Aditya, and replied, "Aditya Babu, I don't know to read and write. I am an illiterate person and that is why I am working as a helper in your house."
Aditya could not understand. He struggled to read on his own...
Sravan had the tough time. He recalled his childhood days. Cold sweat covered his brow. It was not pleasant and he hardly recalled his school days. He remembered his mother behind him with a thin cane of bamboo and chasing him, shouting at him, forcing him to go to school.
Tears rolled out, he had no control over his emotions. 22 years, he had wasted his precious life bestowed by God. He wanted to go back to his yesteryears and take corrective steps so that He too could have the better career, a hope for a different future.
Meanwhile Aditya's parents they have reached home. Aditya shared what had happened. His mother took this as her task to help Sravan. Her son had given some food for thought to improve their helpers who had been so sincerely, with dedication served them over years.
Sravan, when he met Aditya's mother in the morning, shared the incident that had happened the last evening. Aditya's mother asked him, whether he would like to continue his studies. Will he take some time out so that the primary education could be delivered and taught by her personally and later, he can think of his higher studies.
Sravan was quite delighted... It is now more than five months. Sravan knows the English Alphabet, he can identify numbers and can add, subtract, multiply and divide. He has the latest smartphone which is used by him to listen to the lessons and to give his tests.
Well, we have many number of Sravan's in and around us. Let us all pick one of each and teach them so that knowledge and wisdom illuminate everywhere.
