Unexpected Fortune Beyond Money

   

Raghu was as usual daydreaming. This 17-year-old teenager’s favorite activity was dreaming about becoming a Doctor. He was reasonably good at studies and with a little encouragement and support, he had the potential to realize his dream. Instead of putting in hard work, he worried about his father’s inability to financially support him.

Raghu’s day dreaming was interrupted as his uncle Ramesh came for Lunch and he heard his mother serving food to him in the kitchen. Ramesh, who was Raghu’s father Suresh’s elder brother , lost his wife 3 years ago and had no children. Suresh and his wife insisted that Ramesh live with them as he was alone.

That particular day, Ramesh asked Raghu to have lunch with him. As both were eating together , they got engaged in casual talk and it was then that the uncle understood how passionate his nephew was about becoming a doctor.

After lunch, uncle lay down for rest, and as he was thinking he did not know when he slipped into sleep. “ Raghu, where are you? Get me some tea” Ramesh shouted. “ While we were eating lunch , I could sense that you are afraid that your wish to become a doctor would be unfulfilled because of financial constraints. I have a challenge for you. In the coming entrance exam make sure you get a seat in Merit and other finances will be taken care of. Put in hardwork and do not loose this opportunity and leave rest to me.” Raghu had lot of respect for his uncle, but wondered how he would manage finances. But he believed his words and focussed on his exams. Unfortunately, soon after his entrance exam and even before the results were declared, Ramesh passed away. To the surprise and shock of the family he was ailing with fast progressing cancer and died suddenly. Raghu was hurt the most. His uncle was no more to take care of the finances of his education. More than that he was missing his motivation and encouragement. Deep down his heart, he was confident that he will secure the medical seat and pursue his studies but his uncle’s death created a void which would take time to fill.

Medical Entrance results were out and as expected Raghu secured a seat with a good rank and scholarship. Everything was happening so fast but what followed left the entire family dumb stuck

That evening few elders of the village came home with a sealed letter from uncle Ramesh, handed over much before his death. It read, “Dear Raghu, I am sure you would have secured admission in Medicine and would win the challenge. Here is my promise to be fulfilled. I am leaving a Sum of Rs. 1 crore in your name to support your studies. I knew that I had a rare fast progressing cancer few days before the afternoon on which we both had lunch together. The doctor told that it was difficult to cure and the end would be sudden and there will be minimal pain. By then I made up my mind to gift the money to you than waste it for my treatment. But I had noticed that you were worrying more about money than believing in your worth. Without this realization about self-worth it was risky to leave huge amount of money. One can easily loose focus. So I threw the challenge to you. I am sure now you know that money has limited utility, true education is gained by industry and dedication and money can only support . I wanted you to learn this fact of life through experience and I am sure you did. With this knowledge you can achieve anything; sky is the limit.” There was complete silence with tears flowing out of every ones eyes. Uncle Ramesh not only gifted money but also imparted valuable lessons in life before he departed!