Small Story 153.

Small Story 153. "The Gift of Giving" Athmanatha Rao, a retired professor, lives with his only son Kishore in an independent house. His wife, Janaki, a retired bank manager, shares his love for travel. Together, they explore both domestic and international destinations, their shared passion for discovery uniting them. Kishore, a private practitioner, has established his practice in Jayanagar. His wife, Shreya, is an architect and engineer. With blessings from Guru Raja, the family enjoys a good life—peaceful surroundings, wonderful neighbors, and a talented cook, Nambi, who whips up delicious dishes, sweets, and chaat items. At 70, Athmanatha Rao is smart, active, and an avid reader, while his wife Janaki, at 65, shares the same passion. Both are gracious and enterprising, deeply satisfied with their lives, though they both long for a grandson. Kishore and Shreya, deeply in love and understanding, have a perfect relationship, but the one thing missing is the fulfillment of their desire for children. While they may sometimes question the reasons for their longing going unanswered, they continue to live happily, surrounded by friends and family. Periodically, they host gatherings at their home, enjoying Nambi’s treats, and celebrating life’s simple pleasures. One morning, while Athmanatha Rao and Janaki were reminiscing about the past, the phone rang. “Hello, Athma here. Who’s this?” “Hey, it’s Ramesh Rao from Udupi. You remember me?” “Of course, I do! How could I forget you, buddy?” “Well, I’m in Bengaluru now, staying at Pai Vihar. Why don’t you come over for lunch?” After a brief exchange, Athmanatha Rao invited Ramesh and his wife Padma over. An hour later, Ramesh and Padma arrived, and the two old friends joyfully caught up on lost time. Janaki was thrilled to meet Padma, and the two women reminisced about the old days they had shared together. After their reunion, both couples spent hours reflecting on the past eight years. Ramesh Rao shared his family’s journey since he had left for Sydney to stay with his daughter and later visited his son in the US. His son, too, did not have children. After his return to Udupi, he and his wife made a decision that changed their lives: They adopted a boy, Krishna, from a good home. Krishna, now 7 years old, was thriving, studying well, and living by the same principles that had shaped Ramesh and his family’s lives in the US, along with his son Aithal. Ramesh whispered to Athmanatha Rao, “Sometimes, I too wondered why God didn’t bless us with children, but I’ve come to understand. Sometimes, God has a different plan. It’s not just about our own children, but about taking care of those who need it most—children who are abandoned due to accidents or illness. Krishna is now a true blessing—he speaks our mother tongue fluently, and he’s even learned three other languages. We’ve dedicated our lives to ensuring his future and the future of other deserving children. The home in Udupi, run by Krishnappa, is still going strong. It’s all about giving these children the chance they deserve.” Athmanatha Rao nodded thoughtfully and whispered, “Yes, God’s ways are mysterious, but always for the good.” The following day, Athmanatha Rao’s family—along with Kishore and Shreya—traveled to Udupi with Ramesh Rao to meet Krishna. Janaki, reflecting on the visit, whispered, “God is great. Everything He does is for the greater good—both for us and for society.” Ramesh Rao’s visit had a profound effect on the family. Inspired by the story of Krishna, Athmanatha Rao and his family decided to adopt a child in need. They named him Raghavendra, after the divine energy that guided them. The adoption brought the family immense joy, and they realized that the love they had for a grandchild could now be shared with a child in need. The family’s decision to adopt changed their lives in ways they hadn’t anticipated. In the end, they learned that everything happens for a reason, and sometimes the reasons are greater than we can imagine. K.Ragavan 11-2-25