Mother’s Shoes

(Story) 

Mahesh Paudyal

 “Mom, please buy me a new bicycle,” said Kumar, who was eleven years old. His father had died when he was just two. His mother was very poor.

“How much does it cost?” Mother asked.

“It must cost somewhere around five thousand rupees.”

Mother did not answer. Instead, she went into the kitchen and continued cooking. Five thousand rupees was something too much for her. She did not have that much money in hand.

For a few days, Kumar said nothing. But one day, as soon as he came back from school, he threw his bag and said, “Mom, please buy me a new bicycle. I need it.”

This time too, Mother kept quiet. She took a sickle and went into the woods to collect grass for her goats.

In his third approach, Kumar said, “Mom, please! Buy me a new bicycle. I need it. If you did not buy, I will leave home and never come back.”

The mother replied in a hurry, “Wait, my child!”  Then she rushed in, and came out with her piggy bag. She laid the piggy bag on the floor and said, “Open it, and take all the money. Buy whatever you like.” The bag contained the little money  she had saved all her life.

Kumar broke the bag, and took all the money. In the evening, he returned with a mountain bike. In fact, he wanted it to participate in the mountain bike competition to be held at Chobhar very soon.

A week later, the mountain bike competition was held. Kumar too joined the competition. By God’s grace and by dint of his own labour, he finished it as the champion.

The prizes were to be distributed a week later. Kumar told his mother, “Mom, do come with me. Other boys also bring their parents.”

The mother agreed. She was happy that her child was winning a prize.

On the prize-distribution day, they started early in the morning. At noon, they reached the base of Chobhar hill. As long as the road was smooth and straight, Kumar carried his mother on his new bicycle. But, as the way turned rough and uphill, he could not. So, he dragged his bicycle, and his mother followed him on foot.

It was a rough, rocky road. At every foot, small pieces of stones, with pointed tips, lay scattered. Walking there was not easy.

Kumar was quite excited about the prize. So, he walked very fast. He did not even stop to see if his mother was coming.

When he had almost reached the programme spot, he stopped and looked back. His mother was still quite far. She was walking with difficulty. He felt very sad for her. So, he parked his bicycle and came down to help his mother.

Lo! What did he see? His mother was carrying her shoes in her hand and walking barefoot. It was such a difficult and stony road. The sharp stones could cut the feet.

Kumar looked at his mother’s feet. Yes, they were hurt, and she was bleeding.

“Mom, what are you doing? Why are your shoes in your hand and you are walking barefoot?” he asked.

“Just. Come, let’s walk fast. Else, we will miss the programme.”

“Mom, please put on your shoes.”

“No worry. Let’s walk on. My legs are fine; I am not hurt.”

“Mom, please put on your shoes. You are bleeding,” Kumar said again.

The mother, who was still smiling, said,  “Son, my legs will be healed in a month. But if my shoes get damaged, I will have no money to mend them or buy new ones. You know, all my money has gone to buy your bicycle. Come, let’s go. There is no need to worry.”

Kumar looked at his mother’s face. She was still smiling. He could feel how much her legs were aching.  

For the first time in life, Kumar felt real love for his mother.

He ran uphill and within a few minutes, came with his bicycle. He put his mother on it, and dragged. Instead of going towards the programme site, he ran towards the cycle store. When they reached their, it was late afternoon.

At the store, Kumar sold the bike in a discounted rate, and took his mother to a shoe store.

“Mom, select the shoes you like the most,” he said. The mother stood silent, shocked and surprised.

“Mom, please.”

When his mother hesitated, he himself selected a pair of soft and beautiful shoes for his mother. Some money he spent for the shoes. He returned the remaining money to his mother. 

It was evening now. The set has set a few minutes earlier.

While they were coming back, Kumar said, “Mom, I will get some more money as my prize. I shall give all of it to you.”

Mother said nothing. She walked silently. When it was quite dark, they reached home.

Kumar never hurt the feelings of his mother again.