GUILT
WIPED OUT
Ramakrishna, a man of high integrity and virtues, was an
advocate in Madras High Court. He was a very noble and wise person. All these
virtues inherited by his children also. Ramakrishna’s wife, Sarda, was a
fitting consort to him. The eldest boy was at the top of his class. The others
were young and not yet grown-up for the school-going age.
One day a young Brahmin boy came to him. The boy asked
Ramakrishna, if he can be an assistant in his kitchen. Since, he is looking for
a job and couldn’t find any. He has passed Seventh grade, and was forced to
leave the school. His father is dead and his mother is making a living by
begging from door to door. Let me work for you, he pleaded with the advocate,
Ramakrishna. I do not want any wages, I will be content if you give me food.
Ramakrishna made enquiries about the boy and out of pity,
told his wife, that he may be useful and assist in the kitchen in cooking and in other odd
jobs. “No” said his wife Sarda. ”Give him few coins and send him away “ she
said. Ramakrishna then made her understand that “These boys would be spoiled if
given alms “. It will become their habit and then they would not work at all.
It is better to make them work and feed them. “We shall engage him and watch
for few days.” Having heard that, Sarda agreed and the boy was employed to
assist in the kitchen.
It was the third day in the house, when Sarda noticed that
the boy was missing. Two silver tumblers and a cup disappeared from the
almirah. Sarda was furious and angry about the decision. She asked her husband
to report to the police (cops) giving the identification of the boy and they
would be able to trace him down. Ramakrishna didn’t want the matter to be
reported to the police. He stuck to his resolve of not reporting to the police. Just because of a
small theft, the boy becomes bad. He was an innocent looking boy and seemed
such a good boy, Ramakrishna told Sarda. Sarda was not able to understand why
his husband is not reporting this matter
to the police. “ I too was a thief when I was young” said Ramakrishna. Sarda was taken aback. Then
he explained to her, he was send for education by his parents to a rich man’s
house for boarding and lodging. He was a very good man. Seeing the cash in his
coat pocket, I was tempted and stole cash from his pocket one day. Unfortunately,
without suspecting me he thought that his servant boy was guilty of the theft
and dismissed him from the service after giving him a severe thrashing.
“At lunch time, I would be very hungry. I stole the money to
still my hunger, to buy fruits and other eatables from the vendors. After that I
was scared and stopped stealing further. I repent for my sin. The cries of the
servant who loudly protested his innocence when he was blamed and beaten still
ring in my ears,” ended Ramakrishna.
Seeing Ramakrishna, Sarda said softly, “Sita Devi has said, ‘who is there in the world who has not been guilty of something or the other?’”
Seeing Ramakrishna, Sarda said softly, “Sita Devi has said, ‘who is there in the world who has not been guilty of something or the other?’”
C.Rajagopalachari : (Names and locations changed in the
story for easy reading and understanding).
