On the Right Path (Part-1)

Sagar was a custom officer. His father was a retired person now.

Initially, Sagar worked hard honestly. But he saw his colleagues using dishonest means, such as taking bribes, to make a lot of money. For some days he saw all this and resisted the temptation of making money through unfair means. He did not want to hurt his father's feelings by acting in such a way. But at last, he gave up the honesty and joined his dishonest colleagues.

One day they received the information that a woman would be smuggling gold in the form of biscuits. All the custom officials were on alert. Just then the partner of that woman came to Sagar and said, "If you will co-operate with us, then we will make you rich." Greedy Sagar agreed with him and helped both of them to escape the custom officials. They safely left the airport with the gold and no one checked their luggage due to Sagar's intervention. Sagar was rewarded by them Within some years, Sagar had collected a lot of wealth by such unfair means. Then, a time came when he thought that he was being suspected by the police, so he left the job and went to stay at the village farm house with his father.

After a few weeks, Sagar built a large mansion in the village and filled it with all the luxurious household items.

When Ramnath asked Sagar where did he get so much wealth from, he told the truth to his father. This brought tears in his father's eyes. He said, "Son, you are running away from the police that is why you have come here while I thought that you had come here because you loved me. There is still sometime to mend your wrong ways.

You must confess all to the police."

But Sagar replied rudely, "Father, if you cannot see me wealthy, you may leave my house. I cannot let go off all these comforts now. It would be better if you did not utter a word about this to anyone."

Ramnath had nowhere to go, so he stayed with his son unwillingly. Sagar became very disrespectful and rude towards his father. Ramnath was so shocked by his son's behaviour that he fell ill. Sagar sent for the village doctor. The doctor came and examined Ramnath. Then he sent Sagar outside the room. When Ramnath was alone the doctor asked him what was worrying him because he could not see any physical symptoms of illness.

The village doctor was Ramnath's close friend too, so Ramnath told him everything that Sagar had said and done. The doctor asked him to keep faith in God and to stop worrying because time would heal all the wounds.

To be continued....