GOKUL AND HIS FAMILY - Short Story

GOKUL AND HIS FAMILY

By Mrs.Sara Philip

TGT English

(This story is based on my experience interacting with students and parents in these  thirteen years of  my teaching career.I am glad you are not one such family,but the fact is that such families do exist in this technologically advanced world and they might not be far away from you.)

Narrator: Ganpat is the only earning member of the family. He has reached home in the evening  from office. He is a short-tempered person ,always finding faults with his wife and has no time for the family.

Vishnu :(looking around),Hey ,Lekshmi, Where are you? Get me something cold. Oh! God ,it’s so hot these days. The electricity keeps going time and again.

Karthika: Yes coming

Vishnu: Chi,What’s  this.I had told you to prepare mango juice and keep it ready for me.

Karthika: I didn’t get the time.

Vishnu: Anyway why did you leave the front door open. You know these days a lot of robbery takes place.

Karthika: I was busy inside.

Vishnu: For everything you have an answer. I will not tolerate this. Don’t forget that you are my wife and you should respect and obey your husband. Haven’t your parents taught you all this before marriage.

Karthika: Hey ,don’t you ever speak ill of my parents. And for your kind information ,I am not your slave. Respect is given only when one gets respect.

Vishnu: You have started jabbering a lot ,you loose tongue. I am fed up of talking to you. I don’t get any peace of mind here. Let me go out.

Karthika: Ya, Ya, You go out. At least you can do that. But where can I go? You are only fed up of talking to me. But I am fed up of staying in the four walls of this house. Have you anytime tried to understand this. I am also educated, I too had ambitions to flourish in life, but I sacrificed all that for the welfare of the family. I am tied up in this house. I haven’t any space. You haven’t any responsibility. You only know to waste time with your good for nothing friends and criticize your wife.

Narrator: Lakshmi is sad, weeping over her destiny. At that time her elder son Govind comes to her.

Aswin: Amma, Amma,I have some doubt in this exercise. Help me to solve it.

Karthika: Give me some peace of mind. Don’t bother me.

Aswin: Amma,Why are you getting angry with me? What have I done?

Karthika: Just get lost.

Aswin:(crying)Amma always gets angry with me.

Narrator: Lekshmi is fed up of such a monotonous life where she is not given any importance. Few ladies from the village come to meet her.

Gayathry: Lachu, Lachu, What happened? Why are you crying?

Megha: Arre baba, What happened? Why are you crying?

Arsha: We came to invite you for the mela.

Megha: Lachu, Why do you fight with him? You know his nature. These fights will have a bad effect on your sons.

Narrator: (At that time a  boy comes running)

Hari: Your husbands are calling you maamis.

Ladies: Ok Lachu, try to come at least ,it will help you to relax.

Megha: Come with us.

Narrator: Lekshmi realises she has to pull along with the marriage for the sake of her children. But ,Where is Gokul? She realises the fact that Gokul hasn’t reached home from school. She is panicked and runs out.

ON THE GROUND

Karthika: Did you see Gokul? Has his classes not yet got over?

Boys: Aunty, We don’t know, We didn’t see him since afternoon.

Karthika: Where has he gone? Oh! My God! My Gokul. Where to find him.

Narrator: Lekshmi in deep sorrow runs frantically in search of her son. She is helpless and continues her frantic search.

Few villagers are seen preparing for the mela. The Chief of the villagers sees Lekshmi and calls her.

Mukhiya: Oh, Lachu, What happened? Why are you worried? Come here.

Karthika: My Gokul is missing.

Aswin: Amma, missing? Oh! Amma

Karthika: In this tension I completely forgot about him. It’s 6’ O clock. He hasn’t reached home till now. I don’t know what to do and where to find him.

Megha: Lachu, We will try to find him. Let’s phone his teachers.

Gayathry: Let’s complain at the police thana.

Narrator: As they are discussing to find a solution ,they see someone coming.

Aadith: Hey look someone is coming.

Nitin: Gokul, with his teacher.

Narrator: The mother is relieved to see her son but at the same time angry. The teacher introduces himself.

Aditya: Namaste.

All: Namaste.

Aditya: I am Vishnu Sharma, Gokuls’ music master.

Karthika: (to Gokul) Where were you all this time? Do you know how worried I was? Your father doesn’t need to bother about anything. He must be somewhere with his friends.

Aditya: Please, please don’t say anything to him. It’s not his fault. He was scared to come home.

Karthika and All: Scared ,Why?

Aditya: Today he got his English paper. He secured only 45 marks out of 100.His father expected 80 marks. So he was scared to come home and face his father.

Narrator: The mother feels sorry for her son. All the anger becomes sympathy. She runs her hand over his hair.

Abhiram: Aunty, he was with me from 3 ‘O clock. He is a brilliant boy.

Aditya: He has his own aptitude. He is very good in playing the table. But your husband and you have never tried to understand his likes and aptitudes. You both have only imposed your likes and expectations  on him. He is forced to do things in which he has no interest thereby making him feel inferior to others.

Gokul: Amma, Please don’t cry. I am sorry.

Narrator:(At that time Gokuls’ father comes. He is surprised to see the large group. One of the ladies explains to him the situation.)

Vishnu: What’s happening here?

Aditya: This is quite common in every family. Home is the place for a child to develop physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Home is the place where a child learns the basics of life. But if, the atmosphere at home is not conducive for the child to develop then he/she will have a shattered personality which will have a  negative effect in the long run leading to a bleak future.

Vishnu: But we are providing whatever our son needs to study and get good marks.

Aditya: That is not what the child needs. Your son needs emotional security. He needs your love, care, affection. You should have confidence and faith in your son. But in your family your son witnesses only fights. He should be able to share with you his feelings confidently without fear. He should understand the value of your relation with him. Then he will not do anything that will harm your image. Spare some time for your loving children.

Vishnu/Karthika: We realise our mistake. Please forgive us dear children.

Mukhiya: Let’s leave the family to themselves.

Children: Appa, Amma, We love both of you and we want both of you.

Message:(FROM A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE)

So you see dear parents, how important you are for us. You are everything for us. Without you our lives are incomplete. Your fights disturb us a lot and we lose our peace of mind. We aren’t able to concentrate in anything .We are Gods’ gifts to you. Allow  us to analyse ourselves and help us to flourish our innate talents. Be a facilitator in our emotional, physical, mental and spiritual development..Your faith in us can help us move mountains. Accept us as how we are. We love you dear parents.