The Old Man's Life Calculator

The Old Man's Story

        I was very excited to know the old man's story. On the next day, at the same time and same station, I alighted the train. As expected, I saw the old man sitting on a bench with the same blue bag.

Again, I went near him. He gave a tiny smile to show my recognition. Even though I knew the answer, I asked him," Chachaji, did you recognize me ?".

"How can I forget you !!", was his reply. I smiled and sat beside him.

After a minute or two, I asked him," Do you have a son or a daughter ?"

"God gifted me a son.", he replied. "My son and my wife was everything that I had. Even though we were poor, I used to provide him everything he would ask for. That time I used to work in a mill. I got daily wages for working, so it was not affordable to miss a day. I used to get some 10 rupees daily, that too if I worked for 7 hours. Leaving early a hour or two would cost me 3 rupees which meant our one time food. I worked regardless of weather, health and other problems. But our head worker was a very good man".

"I stil remember, once I had high fever and I was constantly coughing. The Head Worker saw my condition and told me to take a day off. But I refused saying I would not be able to afford a leave. He kept telling me to take a leave but I constantly refused under same reason. At last , he took out 10 rupees from his pocket, thrust it in my hand and told me to take the day off. He promised not to tell the manager about this and made me leave. That was the only day I took a leave from my job of 40 years. I toiled hard just for the sake of my wife and son."

"I completed every wish of my son. I remember he had asked for a toy car once which was unaffordable for me.. I did not eat one time meal for a month, saved 3 rupees daily and brought a 70 rupees worth toy car for him. I dreamt of him as a well educated, well settled man. I sent him to a government school to study. I always used to tell him to study and become a comfortably settled person. He used to study with passion. He got 72% in his 10th exams. " There was a hint of pride in the man's voice.

"He became an engineer" the old man continued, " and got a nice job. He earned 10 thousand rupees per month. He became a settled person."

I was irritated that his son did not look after his father because of whom he had become a successful person. I asked the old man a bit angrily," Then why are you still toiling now ? You can go to your Son's place and live a proper life. You should have reminded him of his duty as a son. Did he not tell you where he was living ? Do you know where he is now ? " I asked the old man.

The old man looked at me with a deep sorrow in his eyes and said,

"He is dead. "

The tear that rolled down the old man's cheek spoke the rest.