Lal Bahadur had several experiences that shaped his mindset. One day all the boys while coming form school passed by a guava orchard. The boys looked at the ripening guavas. The fruits were green mainly with odd ones in various shades between green and cream colour. The boys would not mind having bites on the green ones. The temptation was too great to resist. The absence of any guard was a ‘go’ signal.
The boys broke in and climbed the trees like monkeys. But Lal Bahadur could not make up his mind. He stood rooted as his mother’s warning against the act of stealing kept flashing red light in his mind.
Meanwhile the boys plundered the fruits. Suddenly the gardener arrived on the scene after he had heard cracking sounds. The boys jumped off the trees and fled as the guard hurled invectives and curses at them.
All the boys succeeded in giving a slip to the angry guard except Lal Bahadur who still stood there confused. And he thought that he needed not flee as he had not taken part in the stealing.
The gardener ran to Lal Bahadur and slapped him hard. It shook the boy. With searing cheek and tears in his eyes he complained in choking voice, “Why did you slap me? I did not steal your fruits. I was just standing here. Don’t you know that I am a fatherless boy?”
The gardener looked at the boy. Yes, he had no guavas in his hands and pockets. He realised his mistake.
He spoke in apologetic voice, “Oh! So, you really didn’t stole! That’s good. Son, you should all the more be careful since you don’t have father. Always stay clear of the troubles.”
Lal Bahadur remembered the advice of the gardener all his life. He should not use being an orphan as an excuse to get pardoned for wrongs out of mercy. Instead he had to be more careful than other boys in whatever he did.
Maternal grand parent’s house proved a cozy cradle for Nanhe. It was a happy and loving place that gave his childhood very fond memories to savour all his life. How much kindness and care the maternal household had spared for Nanhe, he would realise when he would face the selfishness of the harsh world outside.
In school Lal Bahadur showed no extra brilliance. He was an average student who climbed the classes without creating any ripples or worries of failure. In that way he passed the VI standard from Mogul Sarai school.
For further studies he will have to move to bigger town. His mother was scared for her little apple of the eye in sending him away. But there was no other way. She knew well that education was must for her darling Nanhe if he was to make something out of his life and overcome the handicap of the short stature. After all she was the wife of a teacher. Without education her Nanhe would be crushed under the feet of callous world.
To send her son away on education mission she had to take initiative herself. Her brother Banwari Lal too wanted to educate Nanhe but his limited income and the demands of his own family were tying up his hands. He was honestly helpless.
One of the cousin brothers of Ramdulari was living in Benaras where there were institutions for higher education. She contacted him and asked if he would accommodate her Nanhe for his education.
The cousin brother agreed. Infact, he spilled his generosity by claiming that he would bear all the expenses of Nanhe’s education besides providing him with shelter as he was of a charitable nature. The bragging of the cousin brother gave Ramdulari bad vibes but she had no option.
She had to give it a try.
