LIVE AND LET LIVE!

LIVE AND LET LIVE!

Saturday 12 January 2019

EGO, EGO, WHY HAVE THIS EGO ?


                    EGO,  EGO,   WHY HAVE A BIG  EGO  ? ?

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    IT   was 12 o"  clock  in the afternoon.   on hearing the clock  chime, SHALINITAI

moved to the balcony  of her chawl  apartment at DADER  MUMBAI  . Her eyes

were turned towards the entrance of the street of her apartment.  She was waiting

for the money order  postman ; instead of bringing in letters he brought in money

from friends and relatives to the  needy. He was always on time and everyday at 12 o' clock

barring  Sundays, he was eagerly waited upon  by the residents  It was the 7th of the month

and Shalinitai was certain , that Suresh , her son would send the much needed  cash to her !

Sheela,  the money order man has entered our building ,and very soon we will get our money

  she told her daughter  happily


She exchanged pleasantries with Mhatre, the money order clerk whom she knew well.

Please sign here Shalinitai , the order is for Rs  2500/-  said Mhatre; but there is a small

error in the order as it is addressed to Sheela, but I will overlook it  said Mhatre.

For a moment,  Shalinitai  was stunned; After a while, she regained her composure and

 then had a look at  the money order to confirm the sender and receiver's names;

Her Ego got the better of the need for money, Sorry she told Mhatre, since it is not addressed to me,

I cannot accept the money. Please take it back and return it to the sender.

What are you saying Shalinitai, asked Mhatre?  The money is from your son , probably the

boy was a little absent minded and wrote his sister's name by mistake;

Please take the money, Shalinitai , I can assure you nothing will happen .

Yes Mamma, Dada has written my name by mistake;  we need the money badly , my teacher

has reminded  me again about the payment of my school fees.

You keep quiet  shouted Shalinitai angrily, to her daughter,  Mhatre , please take back the money

Ok if that is what you wish said Mhatre, but remember your son has to pay a fine when he gets back

his money .


Suresh  Shalini's son was working as an Instrument Engineer in a Company at Poona  located about

150 miles  from Bombay;  he was having a quiet dinner at his residence when there was a knock

at the door and he was greeted by a postman and he said . Sir, your money has been returned by the

 addressee  and  we have deducted  RS 50/ from the amount for services rendered.   THAT

surprised him and since long distance tele communication, was unheard of those days,

 his only choice was to  undertake a train journey to Bombay.   Suresh loved his mother

deeply , a lad of very good habits; his only blemish was he was short tempered and could be

provoked easily. He took the earliest available train to  Mumbai. 

During  the journey, he understood, why his mother  had returned the money;  he had written the

name wrongly; but frankly,he was not sure of what his mother's name was , as he had not used

it nor heard someone using it.   he had always known her as Ayee [ Marathi for mother]

AS soon as he reached home, he asked his mother, as to why she did not accept the money. 

You didn't send it to me so where is the question of accepting it ?   Suresh dont question me,

I am your mother, and if you dont know my name, you are not fit  to be called my son.

If you dont know my name,  did you care to find out ?  no,  you just wrote your  sister's name

and thought every thing  was fine.  What will the post man think of this,  he will have a good

laugh  and tell the neighbourhood  ; 

The way , the conversation unfolded,  angered Suresh ; He asked his mother bluntly,

Do you want the money or not  mother?   What are you saying BHaiya   interjected, Sheela; 

Oh I see  replied  Shalini,  So this is the way my son speaks to me , is it ?  TAKE  your money

and leave the house now and I dont want to see your face again ! shouted the mother. 

SURESH walked over to the exit door,  when  he was stopped by ATHAVALE , his neighbour;

HE coerced  Suresh to return;  and told Shalini,   Akka,  Forgive your son,  Suesh is a very good

boy, and he has a point  as he has never heard your name being spoken in your house. 

This is a small matter , and please dont blow it up .

Suresh , you also should know how to speak to your mother ,  Say Sorry and close the matter. 

 Suresh wasin tears, as wellas Sheela  He prostrated  before his mother  who lifted and hugged him.


All is well that ends well.