LONGING TO SEE YOU

Indira is one of the angels rescued from the gory practice of female infanticide, which is unfortunately still practiced in this country, and we keep reading about it in the newspapers despite steps taken by various agencies to eradicate it completely. Indira was one of the 'Salem Babies', rescued from Salem area. She was placed in the care of Pathway. She was hardly a few months old when she first came in, a cuddly beautiful girl always smiling. She showed a great fighting quality right from the start.

Her rehabilitation was successful. She was with us for nearly three years. The adoption unit at the Guild of Service arranged this child's adoption. It was indeed a heart-breaking incident for everybody at Pathway when she was leaving. It was heart-warming too, as Indira had now found a permanent home, with loving parents in the USA who wanted and cared for her very much, Heaven bless them.

I couldn't believe my eyes when a few days ago I discovered a very beautiful letter, an email penned by our little Indira, short and sweet; she has said:

"Dear Dr Prasad, how are you? How are all the children at Pathway? How I long to visit Pathway in the near future! I want you to know that I am now attending school here and in the 3rd grade. Will let you know more of myself when you reply that you remember me."

Indeed how could we forget you, Darling Child, please visit us, and bring your parents, we are longing to see you. All your friends Priya, Ganga, Kodai, Alka are so excited to hear from you. Little Arjun you remember, with whom you had regular boxing matches, is also in the third grade and sends you tons of love. We would like you to email us some pictures of your family and friends there, and we are also sending you some pictures from here.

The other day we specially thought of you while watching the film Jungle Book for I don't know what umpteenth time, says your friend ----, a film you used to enjoy so much and you always cried when the man-cub Mowgli had to leave his friend Balo the bear in the forest home and get hooked by a man-girl into the man- village? Do you see Jungle Book now and then, she wants to know.

You must really come and see our Farm school. It has swimming pool. Do you swim? Do you have a dog or cat? Remember our friend Pearl, such a good dog. He has left us. Let us know what you need. Our latest bead jewellery? You will real love them. Love...

Indira's friends have lots more things and memories and queries to write her, we will individually email her. Meanwhile, God bless her. God bless her parents. And with that we send her the following inspiring story, as narrated by our storyteller, which might as well be the beginning of a stories exchange programme among friends of Indira:

A ten-year-old boy, by name Venky, lost his left arm in a car accident. Like our own Indira he was interested in learning martial arts. He had been attending a course under a Master, who now reassured the boy that he could go on with the lessons. But Venky himself lacked confidence and saw no point in continuing. But the Master compelled him to continue the training and eventually entered him in a tournament. But how can I fight, Master, asked Venky, when I know only one move, with one arm, and you have not taught me any other move because I don't have the other arm?

Anyway the match started, and it was too late for one-armed Venky to wriggle out of the contest, and he fought bravely. When an opportunity came he deftly used the one and only move that he had mastered, with his one and only arm, and to his great surprise the opponent collapsed suddenly and Venky was upon him in a flash.

While receiving the trophy Venky meekly asked his Master, how is it that my opponent couldn't defend himself against my simple move?

To which the Master replied, very simple, Venky, your opponent could have defended himself against your particular move only by grabbing your left arm, which you see was not there and therefore he had nothing to grab, and thus he stumbled and fell. Your defence and victory was in your handicap! In the biggest weakness can be your biggest strength.

--Chandra