Raj learns a lesson

Raj is a middle-aged man. Although he was born in a poor family, he was raised well by his father and mother. His father owned a welding (焊接) shop, and used to work for more than 12 hours a day, so that his family could lead a comfortable life.

However, Raj’s father could not earn sufficient money to provide a decent life to his family. Raj was an average student in school, and used to score around 70 percent marks. Raj’s dream was to become a doctor. Since his marks weren’t very high, he could not get the desired course that he wanted to study. Instead, he joined a bachelor’s degree course, completed the course successfully, and got a job in a company.

In order not to depend on Raj, his father continued to work in his shop. After getting a permanent job, Raj’s parents wanted him to marry. He got married to a girl from his native town, and meanwhile was promoted in his job. After a few years, his wife gave birth to beautiful twin boys.

Later, Raj began to earn a handsome salary, and started to live luxuriously. He bought a new house and a new car. Some of the luxuries were really unnecessary. Almost 6 to 7 years later, Raj was neither able to manage all the household expenses, nor pay for the children’s education and other basic necessities.

It so happened that Raj’s father fell sick, and as a result, could not continue his work. He requested Raj to give some money for his treatment and other household expenses. Raj, who was already suffering from financial crisis, not only shouted at his parents but also complained to his parents, “You never give me what I needed and wanted and it took me more than 10 years to get settled. Now, while I am again struggling for money, you are not doing anything to help me, but instead are a burden to me! So, please don’t come to me again.”

His parents were left shocked.

I was home with my two young kids, when my mind started to wander. I was reflecting on my past and couldn’t help but think: Whatever happened to Kathy?

Kathy lived in a tiny Canadian town and she became my pen pal when I was 13. As a girl growing up in New Zealand, I was curious to learn more about the world and Kathy’s letters certainly showed me how different life could be in another country.

When I was 18, the letters had petered out(逐渐减少) and we lost contact. I’d gone on to marry my husband, Paul, and start a family, but the more I thought about it, the more I missed news of Kathy’s adventures. I decided to write to Kathy and knowing that her parents lived in such a small town, I addressed the letter to them and hoped for the best.

Three weeks later, my heart leapt when I got an envelope postmarked from Canada. “I recognized your handwriting straightaway,” Kathy wrote to me. It turned out that, like me, she’d also married but due to health problems, she was unable to have children. Her job as a nurse kept her busy and she enjoyed helping others.

Realizing how quickly life could change. I promised to keep writing to her no matter what. Her letters soon became a highlight for me, giving me the same excitement I’d felt as a 13-year-old.

One day, when Paul was using the saw(锯子) to cut some wood, a splinter(尖细条) flew into the center of my right eye and I lost my sight permanently. Paul felt terrible and while it was a huge blow(打击) for me, I tried to carry on as best I could. Soon, I needed an artificial eye(义眼, 假眼) and received financial compensation(赔偿) as a result of the accident in our yard.

One day, Paul advised, “Gayel, you should use the money to do something for yourself.”

So I left Paul and the kids to travel 30 hours to reach Kathy.

Lucy’s son, Patrick, was on a school camping trip. He would be home by the weekend, but for now, Lucy was enjoying having some time alone. Just as she settled on a comedy movie, her phone, rang. It was from Patrick’s teacher, Mr. Randall, who told Lucy Patrick was lost. Lucy’s heart beat like a drum, and her mouth dried up like the desert. She told Mr. Randall to send her the location and she was heading out there right now.

After packing some necessary camping tools, Lucy drove to the campsite. It was in a fairly remote (偏远) and forested area. By the time she got into the wide valley where the campsite was situated, the sun was setting. Mr. Randall was waiting for her and told her that they went on a hike through the forest that morning. Patrick was still with them when they stopped for lunch. But they were not sure when he got separated from the group. When they returned to the campsite, he was found to be missing.

Lucy stared at the tall trees marking the forest’s edge. Thinking of her son out in the forest by himself brought tears to her eyes. Then Lucy saw the group of sweaty, tired-looking police officers searching for her son. They hadn’t found her son, yet. More unfortunately, they said it was getting too dark to continue searching and what’s worse, there were wolves in the forest. Lucy was angry that the police would leave her son in the wild. What good would tomorrow do Patrick if he didn’t survive the night?

“Fine,” Lucy said, “a group of police officers might be too scared to continue searching, but I’m his mother, and I won’t give up until my son is safe.”

With her camping supplies, Lucy set off along a narrow path leading through the trees. However, the deeper Lucy entered the forest, the more anxious she became. Soon, she was lost in the dark. At that moment, she heard something following her. Lucy turned and looked straight into the green eyes of a wolf.

Without thinking, she ran immediately.

Lucy woke to freezing cold and saw thin smoke rising through the trees.