Farmer and the butterfly

In a village named Hirapur, lived Ram an average built, nice and sharp person. He was well off with a score of cattle and a large farm by the bank of river Dharma. His wife Radha was petit, beautiful, caring and simple lady.

Ram had a nice house with a large courtyard. The courtyard had a large Neem tree and a well full of water.

Ram followed a set routine. He would get up before sunrise, feed cattle, clean courtyard and start pump to fill overhead tank. Meanwhile Radha would cook some breakfast and tea. They would eat together on the bench below Neem.

Ram would go to farm to work hard till noon. Then had his lunch in the temporary shade of the farm and took a short nap. Late evening , he would reach home and they would spend lot of time on bench with Radha talking on random subjects with too much of future planning. Till patience gave strength, Radha would listen and smile, more out of love than the context and eventually start dragging him to the village gossips.

Life was perfect for them!

It was a nice rainy day. It had just started drizzling near noon. Ram rushed to the shelter. A very colorful butterfly followed in. It was wet. Unable to fly it sat on Ram's forehand.
Ram was mesmerized with the beauty of the butterfly. He started blowing air from his mouth gently over the wings. Soon the wings dried. Drizzle outside also came to halt too.

Butterfly flapped her wings to fly away. Ram whispered, " Why can't you stay with us".

"I can, if you promise" said the butterfly.

"I promise", Ram said firmly

Butterfly laughed, " I didn't even tell you what I want".

"Whatever, does not matter",  said Ram.

"Promise me that you would tell me a story every evening and if you break your promise, I would go away". Said the butterfly.

"I won't, I promise", he said convincingly.

Butterfly giggled, flapped her wings and flew away.

For reason not known to him, Ram started dancing and singing joyfully. It started raining and it didn't seem to matter him. He reached home and saw Radha dancing in the courtyard. Her face was glowing. She ran to him. Gently hugged him and announced softly, "I am pregnant".

World around them changed. The started cherishing the thought of baby to be born. Months passed by. Early morning of mild summer, nurse emerged from bedroom adjoining courtyard and announced to Ram, "You are blessed with a daughter". He rushed inside. There was a cute baby with nice twinkling eyes and a lovely smile on her face.

"She didn't cry!", said Radha.

Around evening Ram took the baby and sat on the bench. Radha saw Ram continuously speaking to the baby. She shouted, "You are crazy. She would take time to grow and listen to your random uttering". Ram was in his own world.

Parents greatest joy is to see baby growing. Often they tend to behave like kids!

The girl grew in a sharp and bright student of the village school. In matter of few years she could read and write well. Often Ram will say to himself, "She is the brightest child known". Sometime during his evenings with girl, he would say same to her. She would simply smile it away.

It was a winter noon. Ram had to head for neighbouring town Raipur, in connection with farm business. He told his wife that he would be back by evening. The daughter was still in school.

He was about to head home, he saw his old classmates. They met after longtime. Shyam insisted that all four of them have dinner together. They were happy and enjoying the company. Late evening, Radha called, " our doll is not well. Slight fever".

"Did you take her to the doctor", asked Ram.
"Yes", said Radha, "Flu he said, not much to worry. I am taking care."

Around midnight, Radha was concerned, "Fever is persisting".

Ram rushed home. His daughter was lying on the bed, little pale.

"Where were you", She was angry, "And what about your promise" she demanded.

"What promise", barely audible Radha asked.

" I wrote in the paper, folded and kept on your bed", Ram was almost apologetic.

"And who is suppose to read it to me? The daughter was still angry while paper was in her fist.

"And you know that if you break your promise, I will mine!" She was unstoppable.

" I won't", said Ram. "I won't", he repeated firmly.

"EVERY FATHER HAS A PROMISE TO KEEP" He said and smiled and she giggled.