Mr. Khurrana’s son Rahul, achieved high qualification from big town and returned to his home town Lucknow. Rahul and Naina were the only children of Mr Khurrana. Rahul had been contemplating about this house for quite sometime now. He thought if they demolish this big house and build multistoried housing complex then it would generate more money and would be a good investment. Rahul shared his ideas to his father.
Mr. Khurrana gave little thought to this idea for a simple reason that Mr. Pande has been living there for a long time and it will be inhuman to ask them to evacuate at this age. However, Rahul suggested, "let me give it a go".
Mr Khurrana looked a little surprised but said nothing.
Rahul got his letter of evacuation for Mr. Pande and very proudly he walked to Mr. Pande’s house.
Mrs. Pande was thrilled and excited to see Rahul, a young guest to their house . The couple was overwhelmed when they got to know that he was Mr. Khurrana’s son. They offered him a chair and enquired about his father’s health and welfare.
Rahul thought, “ Ah , they are being so kind and hospitable now but will throw me out when I’ll issue them this notice”. Mr. Pande asked his wife to bring him something to eat. Rahul said “No, thank you”. But they would not listen. Mrs. Pande insisted that he has come to their house first time and that is the least they can do. She brought something to eat with so much love and affection that Rahul couldn’t deny it. Their every sentence had word ‘beta’, and every time she said it, his heart felt squeezed. He was wondering , “how can they be so loving and hospitable even though they don’t seem to have enough for themselves!
He could see the creeping poverty in their house and knew the touch of wealth that they must have had possessed earlier. Hidden embarrassment was evident on their faces when they offered him a small plate of Jalebis.
Rahul pulled out the notice and muttered, “Namaste kaki. Give me permission to leave.” He refrained from handing the notice.
Something stopped him.
“How can I in my wildest dream think of throwing them out? In my short stay, they have poured their heart to me and made me feel at home and that also because I am their friend’s son!
I feel like I have known them forever”.
“No, I can’t do that”
“Do visit us again. It has given us great pleasure that you visited our humble house” said Mr. Pande.
“Yes, of course”.
There was a strange feeling of contentment and happiness in his defeat as he put the envelop back in his pocket.
Such is the upbringing of Lucknavi people. Humility, courtesy and hospitality is ingraved in their character. It is inculcated into them from their childhood. Humbleness becomes part of their life. And that has kept the community bound together in harmony. And that's why Asian culture is so rich for centuries.
That is the kind of country is India where you will find this unique characterisic.
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ReplyDeletethe story is kind of nice but I didn't like the picture of jalebi. I feel it diminishes the effect and senstivity of the story. but it's my view.