A crucial lesson

A child was crying loudly. His father was trying to distract him to no avail. “I do not want to wear these old worn-out shoes,” the child screamed inconsolably.

A child was crying loudly. His father was trying to distract him to no avail. “I do not want to wear these old worn-out shoes,” the child screamed inconsolably. “All my classmates wear new pair of shoes. They run like deer and laugh pointing at my shoes,” the child said innocently.

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The father was a poor man with limited means. He wanted his child to be happy and contended with whatever he had, but assured that he would get a new pair of shoes the next month. When the child was adamant, the father told the boy that he would get them repaired. The child felt happy as he thought the cobbler won’t repair his shoes as they were beyond repair.

They reached the cobbler’s place. “Do you play a lot child”, asked the cobbler, smilingly. “I do, and just let us know can you mend them or not”, the child asked in a rude manner. “The shoes are still in good condition and just need a quick fix,” the cobbler assured, looking at the shoes appreciatively.

The child became very angry. He wanted to use harsh words as the cobbler had spoiled his plans of buying new shoes. He thought that now he could not persuade his father into buying a new pair of shoes.

“Are there some jewels on my shoes that you are staring at them for long,” the child screamed. “No, my child, I used to play a lot before I lost both my legs in an accident. But I do not feel subdued. I enjoy watching young children like you and thank Him for these eyes,” the cobbler replied calmly.

The child was shocked. He was staring at the cobbler and his amputated legs. Suddenly he looked at the sky. His eyes were moist and hands were open. It seemed as if he was saying, “Thanks for everything.” The father smiled and mumbled,

“You have learnt an important lesson of life.” And the two went home happily and contentedly.