Raju's Birthday

Today is the birthday of Raju, my son. After doing daily works, Neetu took bath and got ready. She will go to the temple first and then to the market to buy a cake. Some friends of Raju will come in the evening for a celebration. So she has to prepare dinner for them, that's why she needs some cooking ingredients. She has to do everything. After all, Raju is her only child. After her husband passed away she is now his papa and Momma both. With so many thoughts entwined in her mind, she did not notice when she had reached the bakery. She bought a cake and some spices from the nearby grocery. Oh! It's very sunny today. Neetu come outside of the shop and waited for an auto.

After sometimes a woman and a small child with her came near Neetu. "Maa please give some food to us, we haven't eaten anything." "My son is feeling very hungry."Neetu looked at them,

they are looking very poor. She gave some change rupees, but the women denied and asked for some food, this was about 2 pm and all the shops were closed till evening due to hot afternoon. Neetu looked at the carry bag in her hand, where is the cake but she cannot give it because she doesn't have that much money now to buy a cake again and also she wouldn't come again to the market. It is too far from her house. What she will do? At that time an auto stopped there and asked ' madamji kahan jana hai '. Neetu couldn't think anymore, because she was already too late. She gave the money to the woman and asked her to buy some food and sat inside the auto hurriedly. The whole way home she continuously keeps thinking about that woman. Whether she should give that cake to her, but what about Raju's birthday? After all, Raju is her only child.

Raju... Raju.....where did he go? Neetu calling his name again but no answer. She just served lunch for Raju and went to the kitchen for some work, but after coming back she saw neither Raju nor the food is there. Neetu went to the backyard of the house calling his name. Sudden she listened some hus...hus..sounds coming.

Oh! The sound is coming from that storeroom. Some unusual things and some gardening equipment are there, but Raju ' what he is doing there' ? Neetu opened the door and went inside. She saw Raju and two other children about Raju's age are in that room.

Raju was Serving his food to them. Mumma, 'please don't say them to leave, don't scold them'.They were asking for some food. They are very hungry. That's why I gave them my food. You have always told us that we should help the poor and needy people. When we donate with two hands God gives us with thousand hands. I just became speechless at him. 'Am I right momma? Raju asked. Yes, you are absolutely right my child. Tears rolled out from my eyes with happiness and also very regretted the morning incident in the market. Sometimes a small child teaches us very great lessons in our life. Perhaps we know the right work but we do not do it and show so many excuses to us. I wiped out tears and went to bring some more food and the cake to celebrate Raju's birthday.