The Carpenter's Son
Joseph the carpenter's only dream in his life was the higher education of his sun. And when a college came to their village he was the most happy person. Please read the story and comment
"Okay my son, I'm already late. See you in the evening".
Joseph came out of the house in hurry taking his tool bag. He is the only carpenter in that village. He had to report in the local monastery by that time as the priest has given him some small assignments. Though he woke up in the early morning, he was supporting his son Christopher in his studies. Christopher has to attend the school final Examinations next year. As he could not study much due to the poverty Joseph always dreamed about his son achieving greater degrees and good positions. He brought Christopher with love and more affection as he did not have mother. Joseph's wife died immediately after giving birth to Christopher. He never allowed Christopher to do any work except studying. Even Joseph used to wash his son's clothes and utensils. Early morning He will wake up to prepare breakfast and tea for them. Then he will sit beside his son watching him reading his lessons. At frequent intervals he will serve water or a cup of tea so that Christopher will never feel tired.
Though he was the only carpenter in that village his income was meager. As it is a middle class village inhabited mainly by agricultural laborers and small time vendors the scope of work was very less. And hardly anyone has constructed a new house in the past few years. So most of the time he was depending on small repair works which will earn him a few pennies. As he used to spent his income on Christopher's studies and his wellbeing Joseph had to satisfy with just two meals a day. But he never complained about it even to the God as he believed firmly that God loves him very much so that he blessed him with a son who is brilliant in his studies.
As Joseph reached the monastery on his old bicycle the priest was waiting in the courtyard with a dark face.
"Joseph, you are late by twenty minutes. And you know that I'm very particular about the time."
"Sorry father..."
"No excuses or explanations. Start your work immediately. All the faulty doors should be repaired before evening." The priest growled in a husky voice. Without showing any expressions on the face Joseph went inside the monastery and start working on the faulty doors. As he started chiseling the first door Susan came there. She is the maid servant in that monastery and also neighbor of Joseph. She came there with a glass of lemon juice. Handing it over to Joseph she started talking in low voice.
"Mr. Joseph, Our village is going to develop now. Yesterday somebody from the city had come here to visit Father Gabriel. They were discussing starting a big college in our village."
"Is it?"
"Yes. But I don't know the outcome of their discussions. I left by the time they conclude."
"But how do you feel Susan? Is there any chances for realizing the project?" Joseph was eager to know that as he was interested in Christopher's studies. As there were no colleges in that village and with his meager income he was quite sure that he cannot send Christopher for higher studies, he always dreamed about a college in their village and some time he even dared to pray God for a college. This news was really a cheering one for him and he believed that it was his prayers that going to bring a college to their village.
That evening he rode his cycle faster than usually he does. He wants to share his happiness with his son.
***
There was a huge crowd in front of the church. Some persons where shouting in anger while some others kept quite with their grimed faces. As the priest came there with two others the noise level increased. He waved his hands to the crowd instructing them to keep quite. Suddenly the shouting stopped and a calmness mixed with anxiety prevailed there.
"Dear friends, these gentlemen have come here to start a college. I am sure that we the villagers will be the benefited lot." As the priest continued somebody interrupted his speech.
"But Father, if they are going to fill the fields where we work with sand and construct buildings there what we will do for our livelihood?"
Major portion of the agricultural lands in that village were church's property and most of the villagers earned a penny by working in those lands. Now they heard that a large part of those agricultural fields are going to convert to normal lands so that the visitors can construct a college in association with the church. This annoyed them as they thought they are going to be jobless and the poor people did not know any other work than the one they used to do in the fields. They neither had the guts to go to big cities for a living. So they assembled in front of the church. They want to put their grievances to the priest who is the lonely representative of God in that village and whom they trusted that the grievances sill be addressed.
"Don't worry my sons", Father continued with a smile. "Knowledge is always greater. And only the blessed one will get it. Now our village became a blessed one. So the God directed these gentlemen to start the college in our land."Wiping the sweat on the face with his handkerchief father continued. "Now our children will get a good education and why are you worried about the silly jobs when your sons and daughters are going to rule the nation tomorrow?"
"But Father..." Still there were some pessimists in that village. Joseph was much worried. He really wants to stop them from opposing the college but did not have the guts. So he kept on praying. He was sure that the God will hear his prayers and give some good arguments through his representative, the priest to satisfy the folk who are worried about their daily bread.
"Church has decided that it should give land for these gentlemen for constructing college. So nobody can change that decision as all these lands belong to the church." Father was not in a mood for more hearings. "And we are sure that this decision will help in the overall progress of our village. So I request everybody to co-operate with them." Priest closed the durbar and went inside with the gentlemen. The crowd too disbursed in no time. Some were still murmuring in anger while some consoled themselves that whatever happens is just for good.
***
As somebody told, time and tide did not wait for anybody and the rules of the might, too. Construction work started and it went in full speed. Joseph was so happy in that. He got a lot of job at the construction site. He started earning a regular income. He started saving money for Christopher's college studies. He was sure that the priest will help him in finding a seat for Christopher in college. Joseph was among the group who tried hard to persuade the rebels who were against the college. He was vigorously campaigning for the college all these days. Almost all the days he visited the priest with a number of doubts and arguments he received from the villagers. Next day he used to face those doubting neighbors with the clarifications. He never failed to repeat the sentences taught by the priest. He was so sincere in that he learned every argument by heart and preached among the village gatherings.
Again, in the evenings he became busy at home preparing the meals and cups of tea at intervals to keep his son awake for studies.
Days have passed. As the college building got ready for inauguration Christopher's final exams started. Joseph was everywhere. In decorating the college premises, in persuading the villagers to attend the function and also in arranging a grand welcome to the gentlemen who brought a college to his village, he was always with the short tempered priest. And in the night he had more sleepless nights as he had to give company to his son who was writing final examinations.
And the day came which Joseph was waiting for. The inaugural day of the college. Accidentally the results of Christopher also announced on the same day. And in the evening Joseph was in a bit of confusion. As he filled his glass with a peg after so many days, he was not sure about what he should celebrate. The inauguration of the college or the higher marks his son achieved.
***
Priest was sitting on a wooden chair with a grimed face. And the expression over the face clearly shows that he never liked the presence of Joseph there. But Joseph was not in a mood to accept that fact. He stood beside the father with a folded hand.
"Father, you knew how much work I did for this college. I did all for my son's higher education."
"Son, have you ever read Bible? Don't you know what God told? For all our good deeds we will be blessed with a seat in heaven. Now you are blessed then why do you worry about your son's seat in a college?"
"But, Father that is the only dream I ever had. And whatever I did after my wife's death was just for my Christopher. I dreamed a lot about his higher studies. And that was the only reason why I struggled for a college in our village."
"Definitely your struggles will be remembered my son. Coming generations will always remember you as one of the persons who were responsible for bringing this college to our village. You should feel proud about it."
"Father, I did it for my son. I thought of giving him good education after the school. But now when I approached the college authorities they are demanding huge amount as donation which I cannot pay. So please help me. Father, if you tell them I am quite sure that they will oblige"
"Joseph, how many times I have taught you about the God? If you are doing good things in expectation of something you will never get an entry in to the books of God. Don't be selfish."
"What is wrong in longing for a good future to one's own son? Please help me to fulfill my desire."
Joseph asked Christopher to come in front of the priest. He was waiting outside the monastery all these times hearing the conversation between his father and the priest. He came there and greeted the priest and looked at him with an expression seeking mercy.
Without giving much response to the boy the priest turned his face towards Joseph and continued.
"Joseph, you should know the fact that running a college is not a silly thing. A lot of money is involved in it. So I cannot blame them for asking donations."
"Father, Please ask them to give me some time. I will make whatever amount they asked and will pay. I will work day and night for that."
A boisterous laugh ended in a scornful smile. Priest came nearer to Joseph.
"How many days it will take for you to make the payment what they asked for? Do you think it is possible with your daily wages? Be a wise man Joseph. Don't live in fool's paradise."
He took both the son and father outside his room. He led them towards the church. All his way he was preaching about the love of God. He reminded Joseph that it was the love of God that enabled his son to score good marks. He also insisted that they should never forget the God and never hesitate to do good things for God. As they reach in front of the church the priest stopped there and pointed to a corner. There lied a huge wooden cross.
"Joseph, this one is made with teak wood. Those people have presented it to our church as a gift for helping them in bringing the college here."
As they started walking towards the cross priest put his hand over the shoulders of Christopher and told him in sweet voice.
"Son, be proud about your father. He is also one of the reasons for getting this gift. God will see all and bless you and your father."
As they came near the cross they stopped for a while. The priest turned his face towards Christopher.
"Christopher, you are one of the beloved children of God. So he blessed you with good marks. Now it is time for you to show the gratitude."
Then he turned towards Joseph and held his hands softly.
"Joseph, God was seeing all your struggles. He blessed you with a healthy and brilliant son. Now why should you struggle alone? God's wish is that your son should help you."
Leaving Joseph behind the priest took Christopher to the cross. Slowly lifted the cross and placed it on the shoulders of Christopher.
"Now you take it to the top of the church and fix it." Saying this priest turned towards Joseph.
"Joseph, it is a good omen. Your son could start his profession with a cross and that too in the premises of God's place."
As the priest walked towards the church Christopher followed him with the wooden cross on his shoulders. And Joseph kneed down on the ground and prayed.
"Oh, Lord, they knew what they are doing. Please don't forgive them."
Joseph came out of the house in hurry taking his tool bag. He is the only carpenter in that village. He had to report in the local monastery by that time as the priest has given him some small assignments. Though he woke up in the early morning, he was supporting his son Christopher in his studies. Christopher has to attend the school final Examinations next year. As he could not study much due to the poverty Joseph always dreamed about his son achieving greater degrees and good positions. He brought Christopher with love and more affection as he did not have mother. Joseph's wife died immediately after giving birth to Christopher. He never allowed Christopher to do any work except studying. Even Joseph used to wash his son's clothes and utensils. Early morning He will wake up to prepare breakfast and tea for them. Then he will sit beside his son watching him reading his lessons. At frequent intervals he will serve water or a cup of tea so that Christopher will never feel tired.
Though he was the only carpenter in that village his income was meager. As it is a middle class village inhabited mainly by agricultural laborers and small time vendors the scope of work was very less. And hardly anyone has constructed a new house in the past few years. So most of the time he was depending on small repair works which will earn him a few pennies. As he used to spent his income on Christopher's studies and his wellbeing Joseph had to satisfy with just two meals a day. But he never complained about it even to the God as he believed firmly that God loves him very much so that he blessed him with a son who is brilliant in his studies.
As Joseph reached the monastery on his old bicycle the priest was waiting in the courtyard with a dark face.
"Joseph, you are late by twenty minutes. And you know that I'm very particular about the time."
"Sorry father..."
"No excuses or explanations. Start your work immediately. All the faulty doors should be repaired before evening." The priest growled in a husky voice. Without showing any expressions on the face Joseph went inside the monastery and start working on the faulty doors. As he started chiseling the first door Susan came there. She is the maid servant in that monastery and also neighbor of Joseph. She came there with a glass of lemon juice. Handing it over to Joseph she started talking in low voice.
"Mr. Joseph, Our village is going to develop now. Yesterday somebody from the city had come here to visit Father Gabriel. They were discussing starting a big college in our village."
"Is it?"
"Yes. But I don't know the outcome of their discussions. I left by the time they conclude."
"But how do you feel Susan? Is there any chances for realizing the project?" Joseph was eager to know that as he was interested in Christopher's studies. As there were no colleges in that village and with his meager income he was quite sure that he cannot send Christopher for higher studies, he always dreamed about a college in their village and some time he even dared to pray God for a college. This news was really a cheering one for him and he believed that it was his prayers that going to bring a college to their village.
That evening he rode his cycle faster than usually he does. He wants to share his happiness with his son.
***
There was a huge crowd in front of the church. Some persons where shouting in anger while some others kept quite with their grimed faces. As the priest came there with two others the noise level increased. He waved his hands to the crowd instructing them to keep quite. Suddenly the shouting stopped and a calmness mixed with anxiety prevailed there.
"Dear friends, these gentlemen have come here to start a college. I am sure that we the villagers will be the benefited lot." As the priest continued somebody interrupted his speech.
"But Father, if they are going to fill the fields where we work with sand and construct buildings there what we will do for our livelihood?"
Major portion of the agricultural lands in that village were church's property and most of the villagers earned a penny by working in those lands. Now they heard that a large part of those agricultural fields are going to convert to normal lands so that the visitors can construct a college in association with the church. This annoyed them as they thought they are going to be jobless and the poor people did not know any other work than the one they used to do in the fields. They neither had the guts to go to big cities for a living. So they assembled in front of the church. They want to put their grievances to the priest who is the lonely representative of God in that village and whom they trusted that the grievances sill be addressed.
"Don't worry my sons", Father continued with a smile. "Knowledge is always greater. And only the blessed one will get it. Now our village became a blessed one. So the God directed these gentlemen to start the college in our land."Wiping the sweat on the face with his handkerchief father continued. "Now our children will get a good education and why are you worried about the silly jobs when your sons and daughters are going to rule the nation tomorrow?"
"But Father..." Still there were some pessimists in that village. Joseph was much worried. He really wants to stop them from opposing the college but did not have the guts. So he kept on praying. He was sure that the God will hear his prayers and give some good arguments through his representative, the priest to satisfy the folk who are worried about their daily bread.
"Church has decided that it should give land for these gentlemen for constructing college. So nobody can change that decision as all these lands belong to the church." Father was not in a mood for more hearings. "And we are sure that this decision will help in the overall progress of our village. So I request everybody to co-operate with them." Priest closed the durbar and went inside with the gentlemen. The crowd too disbursed in no time. Some were still murmuring in anger while some consoled themselves that whatever happens is just for good.
***
As somebody told, time and tide did not wait for anybody and the rules of the might, too. Construction work started and it went in full speed. Joseph was so happy in that. He got a lot of job at the construction site. He started earning a regular income. He started saving money for Christopher's college studies. He was sure that the priest will help him in finding a seat for Christopher in college. Joseph was among the group who tried hard to persuade the rebels who were against the college. He was vigorously campaigning for the college all these days. Almost all the days he visited the priest with a number of doubts and arguments he received from the villagers. Next day he used to face those doubting neighbors with the clarifications. He never failed to repeat the sentences taught by the priest. He was so sincere in that he learned every argument by heart and preached among the village gatherings.
Again, in the evenings he became busy at home preparing the meals and cups of tea at intervals to keep his son awake for studies.
Days have passed. As the college building got ready for inauguration Christopher's final exams started. Joseph was everywhere. In decorating the college premises, in persuading the villagers to attend the function and also in arranging a grand welcome to the gentlemen who brought a college to his village, he was always with the short tempered priest. And in the night he had more sleepless nights as he had to give company to his son who was writing final examinations.
And the day came which Joseph was waiting for. The inaugural day of the college. Accidentally the results of Christopher also announced on the same day. And in the evening Joseph was in a bit of confusion. As he filled his glass with a peg after so many days, he was not sure about what he should celebrate. The inauguration of the college or the higher marks his son achieved.
***
Priest was sitting on a wooden chair with a grimed face. And the expression over the face clearly shows that he never liked the presence of Joseph there. But Joseph was not in a mood to accept that fact. He stood beside the father with a folded hand.
"Father, you knew how much work I did for this college. I did all for my son's higher education."
"Son, have you ever read Bible? Don't you know what God told? For all our good deeds we will be blessed with a seat in heaven. Now you are blessed then why do you worry about your son's seat in a college?"
"But, Father that is the only dream I ever had. And whatever I did after my wife's death was just for my Christopher. I dreamed a lot about his higher studies. And that was the only reason why I struggled for a college in our village."
"Definitely your struggles will be remembered my son. Coming generations will always remember you as one of the persons who were responsible for bringing this college to our village. You should feel proud about it."
"Father, I did it for my son. I thought of giving him good education after the school. But now when I approached the college authorities they are demanding huge amount as donation which I cannot pay. So please help me. Father, if you tell them I am quite sure that they will oblige"
"Joseph, how many times I have taught you about the God? If you are doing good things in expectation of something you will never get an entry in to the books of God. Don't be selfish."
"What is wrong in longing for a good future to one's own son? Please help me to fulfill my desire."
Joseph asked Christopher to come in front of the priest. He was waiting outside the monastery all these times hearing the conversation between his father and the priest. He came there and greeted the priest and looked at him with an expression seeking mercy.
Without giving much response to the boy the priest turned his face towards Joseph and continued.
"Joseph, you should know the fact that running a college is not a silly thing. A lot of money is involved in it. So I cannot blame them for asking donations."
"Father, Please ask them to give me some time. I will make whatever amount they asked and will pay. I will work day and night for that."
A boisterous laugh ended in a scornful smile. Priest came nearer to Joseph.
"How many days it will take for you to make the payment what they asked for? Do you think it is possible with your daily wages? Be a wise man Joseph. Don't live in fool's paradise."
He took both the son and father outside his room. He led them towards the church. All his way he was preaching about the love of God. He reminded Joseph that it was the love of God that enabled his son to score good marks. He also insisted that they should never forget the God and never hesitate to do good things for God. As they reach in front of the church the priest stopped there and pointed to a corner. There lied a huge wooden cross.
"Joseph, this one is made with teak wood. Those people have presented it to our church as a gift for helping them in bringing the college here."
As they started walking towards the cross priest put his hand over the shoulders of Christopher and told him in sweet voice.
"Son, be proud about your father. He is also one of the reasons for getting this gift. God will see all and bless you and your father."
As they came near the cross they stopped for a while. The priest turned his face towards Christopher.
"Christopher, you are one of the beloved children of God. So he blessed you with good marks. Now it is time for you to show the gratitude."
Then he turned towards Joseph and held his hands softly.
"Joseph, God was seeing all your struggles. He blessed you with a healthy and brilliant son. Now why should you struggle alone? God's wish is that your son should help you."
Leaving Joseph behind the priest took Christopher to the cross. Slowly lifted the cross and placed it on the shoulders of Christopher.
"Now you take it to the top of the church and fix it." Saying this priest turned towards Joseph.
"Joseph, it is a good omen. Your son could start his profession with a cross and that too in the premises of God's place."
As the priest walked towards the church Christopher followed him with the wooden cross on his shoulders. And Joseph kneed down on the ground and prayed.
"Oh, Lord, they knew what they are doing. Please don't forgive them."
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