‘ATTEMPT’ is a non-descript neighbourhood school for young children whose underprivileged parents eke out their living by doing menial work the whole day. For the children, ‘learning’ is a bonus. More important is that they remain away from mischief, and no less important are the free midday meals and the company of friends. Two eight-year-olds, Mohan and Abdul, who studied there, were bosom friends; each greatly missed the absence of the other. Mohan was the brighter of the two. The teacher had recently announced to the class that Independence Day was two days away and there would be a celebration in the School. Mohan, who has some flair for music, was selected by the Head Master to sing ‘Vande Mataram’. Although the significance of all this was quite lost on them, there was great excitement amongst Mohan’s friends. A happy Mohan had gone home to tell his parents. Then both he and Abdul had quietly sat and thought over the matter. However, come Independence Day, Abdul had a severe attack of dysentery and was even unable to move from his bed. Mohan felt gloomy; without Abdul he did not wish to even attend school – let alone sing a song. He thought of feigning sickness and staying at home. But Abdul would have none of it. ‘You are the star boy of our class. If you do not go and sing, you will make everyone sad. For my sake you must go and give your best performance,” he said. Reluctantly Mohan agreed. That day he sang splendidly on stage, and was applauded by everyone. After the show a rich, nice lady came backstage and thrust a gift into Mohan’s hands. It was a small wristwatch, the best gift he had ever received in his life. He rushed home to show it to his parents and to his dearest friend Abdul. But, as fate would have it, a cruel joke awaited him. While Mohan was away, Abdul’s condition had suddenly worsened and he had slipped into eternal sleep even before the doctor could reach. Many people were crying around his coffin. Soon the time came to take him to the burial ground. Though he was stunned, Mohan quietly, unnoticed by anyone, took out the wristwatch and pushed it under Abdul. Later in the day, when a teacher from school dropped in to their house, she asked Mohan, “Have you shown your gift to your parents?” Mohan did not reply. When his mother enquired, he hesitatingly said, “I gave it to Abdul.” With moist eyes she looked at him and said: “My child! Today God has taught you a lesson that no school may perhaps teach you. God bless you.”
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