Most Obedient Raju :)

Raju was the youngest in the family. He had a younger sister. His mother had told the family that dinner times are sacred. This is the only time the whole family sits together. So, dinner time at the dining table was supposed to be pleasant. Anything that makes anyone sad was not allowed during dinner. All the family members used to sit together, talk, laugh and enjoy their food. This was his mother's rule in the family. Everyone followed it strictly.

One day, Raju went out to play as usual. He fell down and hurt his hand. It pained him badly. He somehow reached home. His mother asked him why he was so late. He told her as he kept playing, he didn't realize the time. Dinner time was fast approaching. So, Raju bore the pain and didn't tell anyone about his fall. He waited patiently for dinner to be served.

Then mother called everyone for dinner. All sat in their places and started to eat. Mother noticed that Raju was quiet and had not touched a morsel.

She asked him, " Why Raju? why haven't you to started to eat?

Raju replied, "Mommy, I am feeling full today, I am not able to eat, don't know why"

Mummy knew something was wrong. She could feel that Raju wasn't his usual self. She came near him and observed his hand was swollen. Raju was quiet as he was in terrible pain. His mother lifted up his hand and observed it closely. He couldn't bear the pain.

His mother asked him, "Why haven't you told me, Raju? You are in a bad shape. At least you could tell your sister or father? "

Raju said, " I knew dinner time was nearing. I remembered your words that no unpleasantness during dinner time. They can wait until after everyone has finished dinner. So, I waited."

Mother's eyes swelled with tears.

She said, " No my child, I never meant when you are in so much pain. It was for usual days."

Raju said, " Never mind mommy, now that all have completed dinner, I am happy. I fell down while playing and hurt my hand. That's all."

Mother immediately took him to the doctor without wasting any more time. An X-ray was taken. There was a hairline fracture in his wrist. The doctor advised complete rest. When his mother told the doctor it had happened in the evening and he had waited till everyone had had their dinner to tell them, he was surprised.

Knowing the reason behind it, Doctor said, " I can't imagine how Raju bore this pain for so long. The pain in the bone will be very much for any person to bear when there is a fracture. Your child is an extraordinary boy. Take care of him."

Mother and Raju came home. Mother told the family about the happenings in the hospital. Everyone was astonished.

Then the mother changed the rule and said that "Please listen to me all of you. The rule is for an ordinary day. Not when you are hurt or sick or really upset about something."

All of them laughed and Raju understood that he had taken the rule too seriously.

Never the less, he was happy that he had not disturbed the dinner time and all had had a happy dinner that day and it wasn't spoilt due to his fall and a fractured wrist.

( This story was told by my mother when I was a little girl. She told us to learn from Raju how to obey parents. It's still fresh in my mind.)