Small Story 275.

Small Story 275: Unexpected Acceptance Roshani visited her friend Shyamala, who was grieving the tragic loss of her only son, Rishi, in the recent Cricket Celebration Stampede. Rishi, just 17, was a bright student and a passionate cricket player. He had dreams of playing for the national team one day, having already shown great promise in local matches. On the day of the stampede, Rishi hadn’t planned to attend the event. But when a friend offered him a pass to see his favorite cricketer—the national team captain—he asked his parents for permission and excitedly went along. What was meant to be a joyful day turned into a nightmare. The overcrowded venue led to a stampede, and tragically, Rishi was among the victims. When Roshani arrived, she found Shyamala overwhelmed with sorrow. Seeing her friend broke her heart—Rishi was her world. Roshani struggled to find the right words to console her, knowing that no words could ever fill the void left by such an irreparable loss. Despite her deep grief, Shyamala had composed herself, at least outwardly. Her husband, however, was still unable to speak, paralyzed by the shock. Roshani spent some quiet time with them, offering what little comfort she could. As Roshani was leaving, Shyamala whispered through her tears, “No compensation from the authorities can ever bring back our Rishi. This loss is beyond measure. But I have come to understand—no matter how sudden or painful, we have to accept what life, or perhaps God, places before us.” Roshani left with a heavy heart, touched by the unexpected strength and acceptance shown by a mother who had lost everything in a moment. K.Ragavan 13-6-25