In a small village called Thalaivasal there lived a poor carpenter his name was Sundar he lived with his wife Selammal and has an elder son name Baba and younger daughter name Sathya Bama. Sundar worked hard to earn his live hood. One day Sundar was working when he felt dizzy, he lost his consciousness and was hurt badly. He was the only bread winner of the family so it was very difficult for them to meet their ends.
One day Selammal said “Dear I was thinking about doing some work so that we could earn some money I can’t stay at home in this situation we barely have any food left in our home I have to do something any other work”. Sundar said “Selammal this is happening because of me isn’t it, if I was not hurt you wouldn’t have to work and kids wouldn’t have to suffer” Selammal said “What nonsense you are talking about you have done nothing wrong you will get well soon”. Sundar Said “even the doctors have no idea about when I will get well Selammal I am very worried about the future”. Selammal Said “I am sure you will get well soon and I am sure of it and about earning the money. I will work as a servant for some families and earn some money you just concentrate on getting well now I will go and see if someone is hiring”.
Selammal left the home and went to one family for finding work. She rang the bell on the door and lady opened the door she asked “Who are you, what do you want”. selammal said “mam my name is selammal and i live across the corner of Thalaivasal I am in need of a job and I wondered if you have any work for me that’s why I came here”. The lady said “what type of work you can do”. Selammal said “Cleaning, washing, laundry and cooking i can do all the household chores. Mam I will do anything you want me to do” then the lady said “I only need a servant to do cleaning and washing will you do it I will pay ₹3000 for a month I won’t give you more”. Selammal said “that’s okay mam I will do it I will come at the same time every day and I will not disappoint you”.
The next day Selammal started the work she also found some more houses to work. She worked hard all day and would earn ₹7000 per month. Selammal was very happy that she was earning now but still it was not enough for her family so she would bring home. The food was left behind and give it to her family in this way they were living their life the food was useless for those families was precious to selammal family she would filter and give the edible food to her children. One month has passed this way Selammal was now doing the work well all those families were satisfied with her work. One day her mistress Sudha said to her “ Selammal a lot of yesterday’s food has been left will you take it with you. Selammal said “Yes mam I will definitely take it” then Selammal put all the foods in a container and put it in her bag neatly after finishing her house chores. She went home they loved the food and ate it till their bellies were full from that day onwards it became a routline everyday there was something left and Selammal would ask her mistress Sudha and then took the food to home.
Now the Rainy Season has started Selammal was still working but one day she late for work, so all her mistress started shouting at Selammal only Sudha did not get angry with her. Sudha asked “ Selammal are you feeling well if you are sick then you can take leave”. Selammal said “Mam poor people have no luxury of taking leave if we don’t work for a day then we don’t get food to eat” saying this Selammal started doing her work a few days later Sudha asked Selammal about her family but Selammal did not tell her situation, this surprised Sudha about their family.
Sundar was not able to sit by himself and could work with the help of a stick but he was not fully recovered. He would take care of the children. He narrated his children’s different stories and chatted with them on different topics.
One day when Selammal was going for her work it started raining she did not have an umbrella but she still tried to save herself from rain and rushed for the work by the time she reached the house she was soaked wet she noticed that her clothes were all wet it was uncomfortable but she still started working, after finishing the work at two houses she went Sudha’s house on the way she thought “How unlucky I am I wish the rain would stop soon i don’t have money to buy an umbrella what should I do”. As it was raining heavily, she took a shelter near a shop after waiting sometime she reached Sudha’s house. When Sudha saw Selammal She said “Selammal why are you so wet if you don’t change the clothes, you will catch a fever and fall sick”. Selammal said “No mam I am fine”. Sudha said “You can wear my saree you won’t catch a fever then it is nice of you to think about me”. Selammal said “I am fine grateful but I cannot accept this I am really fine”.
Selammal started her work, after finishing her work she was to leave but Sudha asked her to stop “Selammal take your Salary before you go and this is a gift from me” Selammal noticed that the bag contained some food and an umbrella for her. Selammal eyes teared up due to this kindness she said “mam this was not necessary I can’t accept this”. Sudha said “this umbrella is a gift from me and the food is for your kids yeah and this is your salary take it”. Selammal said “Ok mam thank you very much I should leave now” then Selammal left their home this time Sudha decided to follow her to home so she started following her at home.
Kids were worried about mother Sathya Bama said “Father when Mother will come home, we are very hungry”. Baba said “Sathya Bama mother will come soon she might have done some extra work that is why she is late”. Sudha followed Selammal and reached her home. After reached home Selammal washed her hands and legs and entered the house then she opened the bag and took out the food and showed it to her family the kids were very happy seeing the food. Sathya Bama said “Mother I am very hungry thank god you brought this food I like it very much”. Selammal said “take this you can eat all you want”. Sudha was watching this from window she could not hold back her tears. She noticed that Selammal husband is lying on a bed and kids were playing inside the house. When Selammal came everyone was very happy.
Sudha also went in her house.“Selammal” When Selammal heard Sudha’s voice she turned back she saw Sudha standing there so she asked “Mam what are you doing here please come inside and have a seat”. Sudha said “Selammal you are facing so many problems in your life you just kept working when I asked you never said anything don’t you think me as your friend”. Selammal said “It is not like that I just did not want you to feel sad for me so I did not say anything to you”. Sudha said “Selammal I will make sure that your husband gets the best treatment and I will even pay for your kid’s education you don’t worry”. Hearing this Selammal eyes teared up and she thanked Sudha a lot. Selammal said “You are really great person sister I am very lucky to have you as my sister you really cared for me as a real sister would do it”.
When Selammal called her sister Sudha hugged her after that Selammal and her family lived happily. Sudha helped her kids to go to the school and Sundar also got treatment in a well-known hospital after some days he recovered and started working again.There are such Laborers in our county who never tell us their life stories but they suffer a lot this is a reality you can’t fight hunger everybody works to Satisfy their hunger we have no idea about how many families are suffering like this so we have to help them in any way we can.
This Story tells us that we should not consider any work less respectable and should donate the leftover food to someone, who needs it we should not waste the food and always help people in need.
By: ARCHANAA P
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