Mother and Son

 

There once lived a boy,

Young yet wise, he sought to learn,

The knowledge that gave life and grew the world.

For this he needed his mother’s permit,

But she wouldn’t give for her heart yearned,

To stay with her son till the end of her time.

 

Yet fate had its way,

For on one fine day,

When the scholar bathed in the river,

A crocodile gigantic and menacing,

Took hold of the boy’s legs by jaws.

‘Twas then that the boy cried to his mother-

“Give me permit to seek my heart’s desire,

To seek knowledge that gives life and lights the fire,

Give me permit to follow my destiny,

Far, far away from the expectations of the world,

And far, far away from the world of expectation.”

 

Reluctant was the mother,

For the love for her child was unbound and evergreen,

Yet she fretted about his safety.

‘Twas then the child uttered-

“Give me leave, for it is what fate desires,

And in doing so, thou shalt free me from the crocodile,

For the Lord of Fate hath decreed,

I shall spread light thither,

Or die alone hither.”

 

Then the mother had decided-

“I give thee leave my child,

Go forth, be free.

For my affection to thee is unbound,

And shall be evergreen till my last breath,

But Oh, my child! Thy life is dearer,

Go forth, and pursue what thou cherish.”

 

“My heart shall grieve,

My soul shall ache,

But it is divine destiny,

And I can’t contest the will of the Gods.

Go forth, my child, light the path,

Countless shall benefit,

From the mandate of the Lord.”

 

“Seek knowledge, my son,

And illuminate thyself like the sun.

Guide the world’s path,

And spread knowledge along.

May the gods favor thou, my son,

As they have favored me with thee.”

 

The crocodile immediately disappeared,

And the scholar freed now appeared,

He spoke with a voice divine and young,

And addressed his mother-

“I thank thee, Mother,

For today thou hath truly proved,

The affection of a mother to her child is unbound,

In leaving me thou hast given up thy light,

For the greater good of others.

I promise thee mother,

When thy need is greatest,

I shall arrive again to serve thy cause,

If it be God’s will.”

 

Saying so, the boy left seeking his pursuit,

Leaving his Mother for the greater good.

It was then that she thought-

“My dear boy, Oh my dear boy!

Thou shalt burn bright and shine light,

But alas, the brightest lamps are the shortest lived,

And if it be God’s mandate that thee must knowledge give,

Go forth, my boy, thee hath my blessing,

Please leave me not in pain.”

~Shashank  G