I happened to remember this incident that happened some years back but it is the greatest examples of valour that i've ever come across. Even greater than those of battlefields perhaps. My mom happens to be a school teacher. So a parent happened to be visiting us on diwali few years ago. He didn't bring the usual gifts with him that usually parents do when they visit my mom. My mom turns them with a sweet thanks that's another story (over which i crib a lot... "its just a gift na"). This man had come to discuss about his child's poor performance. He had three kids. The youngest in kinder garden was not performing well if i remember correctly.
Nothing apart from this was very extraordinary with the man. He was wearing simple and humble clothes. Nothing branded, nothing gaudy. A simple brown trouser, a checked shirt, very tidy, black shoes which seemed quite old. It was clear that the man was not very well to do. Nothing was extraordinary in him, really, except the man himself.
I was making tea for the guest as they started to talk. The man accepted that it was his fault as he was not able to give ample time to the kids and that his wife was sick and so she could not either. As the conversation continued he revealed that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer the year before and was in an advanced stage now. He was a government clerk so dint earn enough to meet the medical and other family expenses. He had even sold off their only house for his wife's treatment. But now is left with nothing so he works as a guard at night after office which gets over at 4. He goes home for a while to cook for his kids and wife and then is off for his night duty. I realized that the man barely gets time to sleep and he does it everyday. He still promised that he'll ask his elder children to take better care of their youngest sibling. My mom also said that she'd help his children by giving them extra time after school hours. He thanked and then left wishing diwali of course.
I do not know what happened to the family. My mother also changed her school after some time. I wonder now that the man had much more valour than many famous people whom we adore. His battle was not simple. I would say extraordinary. His love for his family is remarkable. He's someone who does not only says he loves but fights for his love. Great people... generals who have won lost battles, people who have won freedom, doctors who have made impossible surgeries, teachers who have given classy scholars and scholars who have given out of the world theorems, I would say all of them definitely have a better support base and do obviously get recognition. This man would get neither and yet he's a hero!! But they do have something in common... the determination and courage. I salute thee!
