[nukkad] A Gift of Love

["Shaurya Prabhat" <"Shaurya Prabhat" <vintage_shaurya@hotmail.com>>]

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If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops 
moving, subsidize it. - Ronald Reagan on how the Government views the economy
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A Gift of Love

"Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked.  When the bundle was nestled 
in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she 
gasped.  The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window.  
The baby had been born without ears.  Time proved that the baby's hearing was 
perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred.   When he rushed home from 
school one day and flung himself into his mother's arms, she sighed, knowing 
that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks.

He blurted out the tragedy. "A boy, a big boy...called me a freak."  He grew 
up, handsome for his misfortune.   A favorite with his fellow students, he 
might have been class president, but for that.  He developed a gift, a talent 
for literature and music.  "But you might mingle with other young people," his 
mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart.

The boy's father had a session with the family physician.  Could nothing be 
done?  "I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be 
procured" the doctor decided.  Whereupon the search began for a person who 
would make such a sacrifice for a young man.  Two years went by.  Then, "You 
are going to the hospital, son.  Mother and I have someone who will donate the 
ears you need.  But it's a secret" said the father.  

The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged.  His talents 
blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.  
Later he married and entered the diplomatic service.   "But I must know!" He 
urged his father.  "Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him."

"I do not believe you could," said the father, "but the agreement was that you 
are not to know...not yet."   The years kept their profound secret, but the day 
did come . . . one of the darkest days that ever pass through a son.  He stood 
with his father over his mother's casket.  Slowly, tenderly, the father 
stretched forth a hand and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal . . . 
that the mother had no outer ears.

"Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut," he whispered gently, 
"and nobody ever thought mother less beautiful, did they"?  

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart.  Real 
treasure lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen.  Real 
love lies not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.

  



 



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