Mother’s Mirror

In the spacious lawns of the elder brother’s big house, the condolence ceremony in memory of mother was going on. On the chair was mother’s picture with a garland. More than mother’s passing away, Lalit was sad that he did not get a chance to take care of his mother in those last moments. He had asked his mother many times to come and stay with him.

“You take care of your family”, saying this mother would always avoid coming to his house. Even if she came, she would go back to the elder brother’s house in a day. He used to think “Mother doesn’t like to stay with me, once a vagabond and now her weaker son. She likes to stay with elder brothers who are richer than me. She likes them more than me.”

Mother always carried a bag with her which contained some items that she needed the most. Those were some money, a comb, a small bottle of oil, a packet of bindi, spectacles and a small round flip mirror” Mother would always look into that mirror. Even before she slept, she would look into the mirror. Everyone would make fun of her for this habit.

After the condolence ceremony, mother’s belongings were opened in front of the entire family. Some jewellery and sarees were found in a box that was closed for a long time. In the end, it was the turn of her bag. Everyone began talking of her love for the mirror. Everyone was surprised when they saw two mirrors instead of one. Both were identical to each other. Even in this time of sadness, people were smiling at her love for mirrors. Lalit opened both the mirrors out of curiosity and tears started rolling out from his eyes. One was a real mirror while the other one had Lalit’s photo in it.