NO GAINS WITHOUT PAINS

NO GAINS WITHOUT PAINS

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Sharing with all the voracious readers on global level a small event, related to life of common man, hoping that it will provide a positive direction to your thought process.

 In a village, a hard -working farmer, putting his best efforts used to spend all his day, toiling in his field. Scorching sun, rainfall, shivery cold, he used to cope up with all the seasons equally and kept himself engaged in work. When harvest matured, he used to sleep for whole night, putting his cot in the fields, for guarding the harvest. He also used to light bonfire so that no animal causes any damage to the crops and for sake of his own security too.

No sooner had he finished cutting crop and heaved a sigh of relief, the landlord rushed to the spot, to recover his debt. The fields had been mortgaged to the landlord since last o many years. He grabbed more than half of the crop and poor farmer was deeply disappointed.

One day, with an unhappy spirit, he pleaded in front of God; requested to provide him flourishing crop next year. He was fed up with so much of labour. Physical strength was also diminishing by and by. 

God promised that he will get flourishing crops next year.

Farmer felt assured. Then, he thought of leading a relaxed life. He thought why should he toil in the fields as he did in past. Since, God has promised; He will surely keep it.

In due time, the crops were ready. Beholding flourishing harvest, the farmer was rejoiced and thought that now, he will be able to re -pay his debt to the landlord. And after giving him his due portion of crop, he will be able to save some grain for meeting requirement of his family as well. By grace of Almighty, he will be able to live comfortably.

But, as soon as he started reaping the crop, his was utterly astonished and was badly shocked.   were holding some other secret within. These flourishing crops of wheat were hollow from within; devoid of any grain at all.

The farmer, fretting  and fuming with anger, started complaining to God. "I trusted you blindly and this is the reward I received from you."

God unperturbed, replied to him, "Give reply to my questions with a calm mind. After sowing seeds in the field, did you even for once take care of plants? Did you look after them? Did you water them time to time or ever put manure in them? Did you ever care to remove weeds?''

Farmer said, "No, I did nor perform any of these chores. I just sat idle, relying on fate. I had this notion in mind that all will be well, since you had promised me."

God made him realize his mistake. "Only those plants can stand erect who face hot and cold winds on their chest, are not shaken with heavy rains and bear scorching sun with equal grace. Then only, in due time, they mature and are impregnated with grains. Farmer, too, has to work hard to strive goal. I protected your crops from natural calamities; but it was your duty to toil in fields. How will only relying on fate help?''

Farmer realized his mistake and after that, throughout his life, he never shun hard work. Also, maintained his faith in God. Every year, before starting growing new crop, he prayed to the  Almighty to give him proper reward of his hard work and implored to save him from natural calamities.

Rajni Chhabra

Multi-lingual Poetess, translator and fiction-writer

Rajni  Chhabra

Multi -lingual Poetess, translator & fiction-writer