THE ARCHER LOVES THE ARROW THAT FLIES... HE LOVES ALSO THE BOW THAT IS STABLE






Pic.: Chetna Shetty


Atul*, a good friend of mine, has two children. The daughter is about to complete her studies in Law and C.S. and is expected to start working in a corporate set-up, soon. Incidentally, I had the privilege of teaching both Atul and his daughter... and, I am very happy to say that they are wonderful souls... very committed, humble and respectful.

Today, Atul had called me up to discuss something about his daughter. During the discussion, he told me that they had lately admitted their son in a prestigious boarding school in Himachal Pradesh. A family friend, whose son studied in this school and did exceptionally well in his all-round development, had inspired them to take this decision. So, that explained to me why Atul and his wife took this crucial decision to send their only son when he was in his ninth standard.

“Sir, what is your view on this decision?” this morning, Atul asked me with a little apprehension.

“Hey Atul, now why do you need my view on it?” I responded like a teacher would do, “You and your wife have thought through this and come to the conclusion that it would be in your son’s best interest... Now, that’s all what matters. You have sent him there with your best intention and love... Now, trust God, trust your son, and, above all, trust your own decision... and leave it at that...”

Atul was listening to me... I continued... “All that you can and you should do is give your son the best you can, love him with all your heart... Provide him the best launching pad, if you can... Teach him to be a fine human being, teach him to dream... teach him to be humble and respectful... always teachable... and, then... yes, and, then, step back, step aside...”

I quoted Kahlil Gibran:

“Your children are not your children;
they are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself...
You can house their bodies, but not their souls...”

Atul was listening... I continued, “Our children will receive from Life only what they deserve... Just as what we have received, and shall be receiving, only what we really deserve...”

Do we deserve our children’s love, respect and care, tomorrow?

Do we, their all-giving parents deserve to be sent to the best of ‘our childrens’ homes’ or the best of the old-age homes?

My friend Atul and his wife have sent their only son to one of the best boarding-schools, with their best intention and with all the love in their heart...

Yes, what mattered was not my view, but the intention and love with which my friend and his wife had sent their only son to the boarding school...

I quoted Gibran, once more:

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth...

The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite;
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far...

Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness;
For, even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.”

Be a stable bow, Atul... Be a stable bow!... Well, that’s my view, rather advice...


* Name changed


GERALD D'CUNHA



Comments

Ujwala Rao said…
Kahlil Gibran's famous lines make a lot of sense; great post...

- Ujwala Rao
August 1, 2014 at 8:43 PM
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