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Topic: Elementary School (07/19/04)
TITLE: REWARDS By Anthony David 07/23/04 |
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The children look clean and neat. But if you look closely at them, you can make out that they are poor. Their washed clothes are worn and torn and most of them are barefoot. Yet, their eyes gleam with joy as they consider it a privilege to be able to study. They yearn to come up in life and live a better quality life than their poor parents.
Gopi, one of them is full of questions. Some of his questions baffle Pavan too. But Pavan encourages the inquisitive spirit of Gopi and helps him to go for higher studies.
As he contemplates the entire class, squatting on the bare floor and eagerly waiting in front of him, Pavan begins to think. “ I wonder what these kids will be when they grow up? Will they remember me then?”
* * * * * *
Twenty-five years fly by. The village of Ghanpur is agog with excitement. The swanky new elementary school building is being inaugurated today. Mr.Gopi Myneni, the donor is now a flourishing entrepreneur whose concerns are multinational. Gopi, as he was then known as has really arrived, in the world. Yet, he is a grateful man.
He takes time and pain to trace and call his old teacher Pavan. He honors Pavan, now graying and feeble, before all the guests on that day.
“Sir,” says Gopi, “ I owe you a lot. I can never repay you for you have lit the flame of knowledge in my life. I want to felicitate you in thanksgiving Sir.”
As Gopi formally wraps a shawl around his shoulders, Pavan’s eyes are filled to the brim. He sheds tears, tears of joy as he thinks back on all those years he had toiled.
* * * * * *
Today as I face my teenagers in the Bible study art church, I wonder how they will turn out. They are so naïve, so attentive (most of them, anyway), so keen to learn the word of God. Some of their questions floor me completely. Yet, they are so earnest in their walk with God. With the world always around them, always battering them with its own culture, will they be able to cope? I wonder.
Yet I know in my heart of hearts, these young ones will be the leaders in the Church, in the community at large too, years from now. Perhaps some of them may be leaders in business and in the government. Who can say? As I collect myself and begin teaching them, I whisper a silent prayer, “Our Heavenly Father, I pray for all these young ones you have placed in my charge. Please keep them faithful Lord, to you. Let them always find time for you, to talk to you and to listen to you. So bless them Lord that they may enter your celestial city at the end. Amen.” I know that God will answer my prayer for these kids. That is the only reward I need.
* * * * * *
© 2004: Dr.M.A.David S Kumar