Manu's Test

This incident had taken place in Noakhali. After the Hindu-Muslim riots, Gandhiji used to go from village to village on foot to reassure and comfort the people. He would set off from a village soon after dawn and arrive at the next village after sunset.

On arrival to the next village, he would first attend to his work and then only he would take a bath. Gandhiji used a rough stone to clean his feet. Miraben had given this stone to him many years ago and Gandhiji had kept it carefully ever since! He took it everywhere with him.

One evening after they had arrived at a village, Manu was getting Gandhi's bath ready. She however could not find the stone! She looked everywhere but could not find it. She told Gandhiji about it and added further that the stone might have been left behind at the weaver's house where they had stayed yesterday!

Gandhiji thought for a moment. Then he said to Manu to bring back the stone. The former added that if once the latter would suffer than next time onwards she would be more careful!

Manu asked whether she could take someone with her as the road was through a forest and it was easy to lose one's way. Moreover, she was only sixteen years old and had never before gone anywhere alone! She, however, had to go alone as she did not want to disclose her fear to Gandhiji when the latter questioned her the reason to take someone with her. Manu took the path which they had taken earlier in the day. She carefully followed the footprints and managed to reach the village and find the weaver's house!

The old woman who lived there recognised her and welcomed her happily. Manu told her the reason for her returning again. However, the old woman had thrown it away with the rubbish! They both began to search for it. At last, they both found it!

Manu had left the house at 7.30 am in the morning, but by the time she returned back, it was past 1 pm in the afternoon! She had walked nearly fifteen miles on foot! Worn out, hungry and rather feeling irritated she went straight to Gandhiji and put the stone in the lap. Then she burst into tears!

Gandhiji said to her that this stone was a real test for her. Gandhi told her gently that the stone had been with him for the last twenty-five years! He had carried it with him everywhere, from jails to mansions! He, however, could have easily got another stone but he wanted her to learn that it is bad to be careless!

Manu replied that she had prayed very hard all along the journey! Gandhiji said that he wanted to make women brave and courageous!"Today not only Manu but he too had learnt a lesson!  Manu did not say anything but she must have thought that Gandhiji's methods were very quite unusual!