THE SILENT BOY
In the small dusty village of Chitrapur, lived Arun, a 14 years old
boy whose life revolved around work. His family was the poorest
in the village. After his father was paralyzed by a stroke, Arun
became the sole provider for his family, which included the
mother and his younger sister, Mira, who was only eight years
old.
Their house was a crumbling mud structure on the edge of the
village, with a single room that served as a kitchen, bedroom and
living space. Arun’s day began dawn, long before most of the
village stirred. The roasters crow would rouse him from his thin
straw mat and he would set off into the nearby forest to collect
firewood.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
The forest was not a friendly place. Wild animal roamed around
shadow, and the villagers spoke of thieves who used it sometimes
as a hiding spot. But Arun had no choice. He carried a worn sickle
and ventured dip into the trees, cutting branches and bundling
them into heavy loads. By the time, the sun climbed over the hills,
Arun would be trudging back into the village, the bundle of
firewood tied into his back, his thin legs shaking into the weight.
At the village market, Arun sold the firewood to whoever would
buy it. The coins he earned were few, but they kept his family
happy. With the money he earned, his mother would buy rice and
lentils, and sometimes, if the week had been good, a small piece
of jaggery for Mira.
Despite the endless work, Arun refused to give up on school.
Every afternoon, after selling firewood, he would run to the
village school, his torn and patched uniform clinging to his
sweaty frame. He often arrived late, drawing the stares of his
classmate, but he didn’t care. Arun loved learning mathematics,
which was his favorite subject, and he dreamed of one day
becoming an engineer.
His teacher, Mr. Tommy saw something special in Arun, “You
have a sharp mind, Arun” he told him one day after class. “But
you stretched too thin. You need more time to study.” Arun
nodded, though he knew there was no way to lighten his work
load. “I’ll try sir”, he said quickly.
That night as Arun sat under the faint to glow off a kerosene lamp,
helping Mira with her homework. He wondered what it would be
like to focus only on school. But that was a luxury he couldn’t
afford.
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One day, Mr. Tommy announced a scholarship program for
underprivileged students. The winner would receive full funding
for their education, including one evening, As Arun was washing
his hands by the village well, a man from the district of his arrived
on a bicycle. He handed Arun an envelope and left without a
word.
Arun’s hands shook as he opened it, the letter read:
“Congratulations! You have been awarded the scholarship.” Tears
filled Arun’s eyes. He ran home, clutching the letter and showed
it to his family. His mother wept with joy and happiness and Mira
hugged him tightly. That night, for the first time in years, their
house was filled with hope.
The scholarship changed everything. Arun no longer needed to
sell firewood. The stipend provided enough money to feed his
family, Arun could finally focus on his studies. He became the top
student in his studies. He became the top student. In his school,
excelling in every subject, years later, Arun’s hard work paid off.
He earned a full scholarship to a prestigious engineering college.
When he left the village for the first time, carrying a small bag
cloth and a head full of dreams, the entire community gathered to
see him off.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Arun’s story became a beacon of hope for other’s in Chitrapur. As
he walked away in from the village, Arun himself that he would
return one day, not as the poor boy who collected firewood as the
man who would bring electricity to every home in Chitrapur.
THANK YOU
