The Clock Is Ticking...

The school bell rang. Students rushed out of the class to play in the ground. But Aayush had a different agenda for the day. He ran to his mother who was waiting outside, ate a roti which he hated, and ran to his keyboard class. He from there went to Sanskrit class, badminton class, robotics class. His time to return home was 9 in the night.

You see, Aayush is a very busy boy. He never liked to sit slothfully. He went to so many after- school classes that he does not have time to chat with his mom. Such busy was his life that he didn’t have time to make friends too. The truth is that he wasn’t forced to join these classes. After his dad passed away, he couldn’t stay at the house filled with his memories. His mother would always smile when he walked past her. This made him even more angry that she doesn’t like his dad.

At last, the final exams ended and, as expected, he was the topper in class. The summer holidays had begun. Even his coaching classes gave the month off. Aayush hated this month as he would have to sit without any work. He decided to take some fresh air. He started to walk on the road. After walking a kilometre or so, he saw a small street on his right. He took a right turn and continued. He saw a cute, little puppy with black and white spots. He knew it was a dalmatian. Aayush sauntered slowly, taking in the sights for the first time. He reached a crossroad, but he continued going straight. To his astonishment, he saw the same dalmatian again! He murmured, “Déjà vu”. Aayush never believed that these can also happen. He kept going when at last he reached the end. On the walls of the building, it was written:

THIS CANNOT BE BROUGHT BACK ONCE IT IS GONE.

Aayush was puzzled with these. Something strange was happening. The whole street was deserted. He shouted, “Who are you? What do you want from me?” He expected some voice to answer but none came. He made his mind to go back. But he just couldn’t!! He was stuck there. He was alarmed now. He again faced the wall. This time it said, IF YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, I WILL GIVE YOU THE TRUTH OF LIFE.

Aayush knew that it was his only way to escape. He shouted, “Ok fine. Put forward the questions.”

1. WHO DROPS YOU TO YOUR CLASSES EVERY DAY?

My mother

2. WHO MAKES FOOD FOR YOU?

My mother

3. WHO WAKES YOU UP EVERY MORNING?

My mother

4. WHO CLEANS YOUR UNTIDY ROOM EVERY DAY?

My mother

5. WHO TAKES CARE OF YOU?

My mother

YOU SEE, ONE PERSON DOES ALL THESE THINGS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY. WHAT DO YOU DO IN RETURN?

He shouted, “Why should I? Isn’t it enough that I will be the topper?

There were no words on the wall for some time

Then suddenly a beautiful painting appeared on the wall. It showed the great sacrifices mothers do for their children. In that, the mother would take every feather of her wing to make a new one for his son. He saw that and started crying. He wept on and on when the doctor said him to get up.

He was in counselling all this time. Aayush is currently 20 years. After seeing this dream, he ran out of the room. He didn’t stop till he reached his house. He saw his mother folding clothes. He hugged her very tightly, tears flowing from his eyes. She couldn’t believe it. She hugged him back and this was the very first-time Aayush felt the warmth of a mom’s hug.

THE GREATEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE SOMEONE IS YOUR TIME. BECAUSE WHEN YOU GIVE YOUR TIME, YOU ARE GIVING A PORTION OF LIFE THAT YOU WILL NEVER GET BACK.