Small Story 413.

Small Story 413. A Warm Invitation to Melbourne After finishing his morning walk, Shyam joined his group of friends who usually met at a nearby junction. He noticed a new face among them and greeted him warmly. Vijay, one of the group members, introduced the visitor, saying, “Shyam, this is our old friend Rakesh. Three years ago, he went to Australia to settle down with his daughter. Yesterday, he called and asked all of us to gather here for brunch at our favorite restaurant. We’re happy you could join too.” Shyam was delighted. Rakesh, now 70, looked smart and cheerful. After chatting for half an hour, the group of twelve moved to the restaurant for brunch. Everyone was reminiscing about their old times with Rakesh, sharing laughter and memories. Rakesh, a retired civil engineer, now does consultancy work in Melbourne. His wife, a retired schoolteacher, spends her time helping disabled people there. He was overjoyed to meet his old friends again, while Shyam — a retired professor — felt grateful to be part of such a wonderful group. That day marked Shyam’s fifth year of association with the group, and meeting a new friend made the occasion even more special for him. After a pleasant hour and a half, Rakesh stood up to leave. Before departing, he warmly invited everyone to visit him in Melbourne and stay with his family for a few days. Shyam was touched by the heartfelt invitation. Though Melbourne was far away — not like visiting Mysore or Shimoga — he appreciated Rakesh’s genuine affection and sincerity. The group dispersed after enjoying a delicious brunch and a warm invitation that strengthened their bonds of friendship. In this world, nothing compares to true friendship and mutual respect. K.Ragavan 29-10-25