Jotil used to go to school to a nearby village for which he had to pass through a forest through a small path. In the morning his mother would take him to the school and in the evening his father would bring him back in his cycle. Those were happy times and he used to look forward to riding in the cycle with his father.
One year the rains were less
and it was not possible to farm. Jotil’s father has to leave for a faraway town
to earn money for the family. Jotil, his
mother and sister stayed back in the village.
Once Jotil’s father left his mother’s work also increased since she not
only had to do everything at home, but also work in the village shop to make
sure she earned some money.
Jotil was required to go to the
school alone. He was just about 8 years
old then.
He was very afraid and on the
first day he ran all the way to school and back, sobbing and shivering with
fear. In the evening he set near his mother and narrated his trip to school,
how scared he was and that unless his mother came with him, he wouldn’t go to
the school any more.
His mother smiled gently at him
and told, - “Silly boy, why are you scared. Your brother Madhusudhan Dada stays
in the forest. If you are scared call him, he will accompany you.”
The next day, Jotil cautiously
entered the forest and started running towards the school crying – Madhusudhan
Dada, Madhusudhan Dada. No one came and
presently he reach school. In the evening the same thing happened.
He came and told his mother about
Madhusudhan Dada’s nonappearance and all she told was that you mustn’t have
called hard enough. Somehow Jotil didn’t
believe her but thought he would try anyway.
Soon Jotil got quite used to
crossing the forest and would make a call to Madhusudhan Dada before starting
and then run all the way to the other side.
One day after the classes he got
to playing with his friends and didn’t notice that the sun had almost gone
down. In panic he run into the forest to
go to home.
In the darkness he lost his way
and realized he had no idea where he was, where he should go and what he should
do. The dusk was fast becoming night and the forest creatures were waking
up. He could feel that he was being
watched by numerous eyes of the forest creatures. The big trees of the forests rose up like big
and dark monsters whose arms swayed as the wind passed through.
He stood crying for he didn’t
know what to do. He called out for his
mother but he knew that she wasn’t there to hear him. He hoped his father would
come and find him, but father was at a faraway town.
He finally remember what his
mother had told, that Madhusudhan Dada stayed in the forest and that he had not
called him hard enough.
So with all the might in his
small body Jotil cried out – “Madhusudhan Dada, please show yourself. Please
show yourself. I have no one else to
turn to. Only you can help me."
“Mother has told me that if I
need you, you will come. Why are you not coming?”
Every sound appeared to him the
footstep of his Madhusudhan Dada and he fully expected him to appear before
him. He called out him nonstop and with
his mind only on him.
Suddenly from distance he heard
the soft music of someone playing flute.
At the melodious sound of the flute all his fear went away because he knew
help was near.
Presently he saw another boy just
a little bit older than Jotil himself come and stand in front of him. Jotil was
so overcome with relief that he jumped up and hugged the boy, who hugged him
back.
“I know you are my Madhusudhan
Dada”, Jotil said.
“Yes, I am, Jotil”, said
Madhusudhan Dada. He was slightly
taller than Jotil, had a flute in his hand and a feather was stuck in his hair
on one side. Somehow even in the darkness
he looked as if he was shining.
“Why did you not come before
Dada? I have been calling you for so
many days.” Jotil asked.
“I was always there, keeping an
eye on you Jotil. However I didn’t think
you really needed me to be present with you.
Today you did and called out. Here I am. Simple.” Madhusudhan Dada smiled.
Hand in hand they crossed the
forest and reach Jotil’s village. Jotil
thanked his Dada and ran straight home to the arms of his waiting and worried
mother.
From that day Jotil was never
alone in the Forest, since he had learnt how to call out for his Madhusudhan
Dada.
***
