The depth of human relationships

THE old man got himself busy with preparations to attend the marriage as soon as his relative invited him to attend. The marriage was scheduled at a distant place. Two buses had to be changed to reach there.

Realising the old man's calculations his friend said: "There is no need for you to attend the marriage taking such a risk of travelling alone for a long distance. Let someone else from your home attend the marriage. The newly married couple will anyway come and meet you to take your blessings."

"They have invited me so sincerely. I must go."

"What sincerity? It is the general practice to use such sincere-sounding words. That is all. Let someone who is healthy and has no other work participate in the marriage ceremony, feast and come back. That will fulfil the obligation."

"I will go at any cost. They love me so much."

"I have no stature to advise an elderly man like you about the depth of love. You may do as you wish." The friend did not force more.

On the day of marriage, the old man got up early and took a bath with much difficulty, dressed up majestically and started his journey soon. Changing two buses he reached in front of the house of marriage.

As he was climbing up the stairs to the house his legs slipped and he fell. Someone came running and helped him to stand up. But amidst the commotion, the old man realised the depth of love they had for him from the remarks of the relatives that he was now convinced that he should not have taken this trouble.

(Translation of Dr. Jacob Samson's Malayalam article "snehathinte aazhangal" by Eapen Chacko)