Food for thought

The divine Sage was in deep meditation for a few hours and as he got up from his seat, he could sense that his beloved wife had prepared the noon meal. There were a lot of guests who were waiting for that moment when they would be called to partake of the meal after the Sage and his beloved disciple Makarand would have finished their meal. But as usual, Makarand was not to be seen nor he was responding to the call from the Sage’s wife. He fulfils all his duties perfectly but when it comes to having his food we have to call him many times. Shouldn’t he respect the food that is served to him or haven’t you taught him that. Look at the birds and animals waiting patiently for you both to finish the meal so that they can have theirs. I just have to call them once and they will come running to me. You are right devi, I need to teach him this aspect soon. He closed his eyes for a moment, said his prayers and started on his meal. Markand came late just when the Sage was getting up.

A couple, Malhar and Gauri lived in a small town. They were devoted to each other. They didn’t mind sharing food to anyone who came knocking at their door or came calling in the case of animal kind. The wife used to make rotis(flat bread) and some vegetable as her husband was a daily wage worker. Some days he used to get some work, sometimes he returned by lunch time and they would have their tiffin together.

Apart from the poor who visited their homes during lunch time to get a share from their scanty store, there were visitors in the form of a pigeon, a crow and a dog who used to visit by morning. The dog used to get half a roti and the pigeon and the crow, pieces from the other half. After having that, they would disappear. Not all days they used to visit but those days when they didn’t get food elsewhere one or two or all three would be present. The lady was very happy to feed them as if they were her own children. She used to be sad on those occasions where one or more wouldn’t turn up a particular day.

Not one who came to them went empty handed. One day she prepared 5 rotis as the flour had finished and the husband said he would bring it on his way back from work. She packed 2 rotis for him, kept one for herself and one for any guest who might turn up. Another one was for the dog and the birds.

On the way to work, the husband kept one roti back for her or any additional guest who might turn up. If any one so did turn up he very well knew she would give her share and go hungry.

The Sage and his disciple had decided to visit the home of Malhar today. Such visits benefited Makarand and also the host. They entered the house invisibly just in time to find Malhar putting one roti back. The Sage with his divine power added one more roti to the basket and one roti to Malhar’s lunch box. They then came to the door of the house and sat there waiting. Are you waiting for Malhar to leave? asked Makarand. Yes and then we will have some visitors to this house, came the Sage’s reply. They waited patiently. Malhar had left for work a few moments ago. Then one dog appeared at the door gave a small bark calling out for food. Shortly a pigeon flew and landed a few feet away from the dog making a guttural voice. Then there appeared a crow who sat on one of the branches of the guava tree in the courtyard and started calling out for food.

Are these the visitors to this house that you were referring to? Makarand’s question added to the clutter. Yes and we two also will make our presence felt now, replied the Sage. The lady opened the door and found an elderly mendicant and his disciple seeking food at her doorsteps. Her attention also went to the dog and the 2 birds. Today is a blessed day certainly. She went inside to open the food basket when she remembered that there were only three rotis left. It is fine she told herself, I can go without food till my husband comes in the evening.

She opened the basket to see 5 rotis intact there. Why, she had forgotten to put the two rotis in Malhar’s lunch box! Oh, what will he feel when he opens his box during lunch time. She got disturbed but couldn’t remain so for long. There were people waiting for food and she couldn’t keep them waiting. She went out, gave one each to the Sage and his disciple. The leftover roti, she broke in half and gave to the dog. The other half she broke into two made them into small pieces and gave it to the Crow and the pigeon who were crying all the time for food.

Isn’t it strange for these birds and dog to cry so desperately for food when they should wait for her patiently. I am sure she feeds them most of the time they come here..the disciple cut himself short as he saw the lady coming out with another box with the remaining rotis.

Please have your food. I need to go out and search for my husband. He has gone empty handed, she told the guests. Do not worry lady when this dog can help you seek him. Go with him and he will help you find your husband today. Saluting them, she hurried out into the street with the dog running after her. The crow and the pigeon after having their food also flew away.

Now that we are left to ourselves, could you let me know why you chose this house today. The couple so loving and yet they do not have any child. Aren’t they blessed or were they cursed in their previous birth? The lady wasn’t cursed but her curse is working now for her three sons. The lady in her past birth was just like this, doting after her sons and their father. Every day she used to prepare delicious food for the family. But most of the days they didn’t come to her for lunch. They found it worth while to visit many of the houses in the locality or cheap rest houses and found happiness in such food they offered. Even if they were at home she had to call a hundred times for them to have their food on time. Many a day in despair she had muttered to herself that it would have been better preparing food for the animals seeking food at her home.

Now in the present, they go in search of food at various houses and restaurants but most of the time nobody gives them anything and they come here to their mother who always has food for them.

So how have you blessed her by our visit today, asked Makarand. From now on her flour will never get over like it did today and she will have enough rotis in her basket when the situation demands and yes she will have these sons back and obedient in their future birth, replied the Sage. And I think I have learnt something today, said Makarand, I will take my seat on time whenever food is lovingly served by mother…