Angel and her Baba

“I really don’t understand why he doesn’t take care of himself?” Her thoughts could picture her Grandfather, who was, 86 years old then. Body had become fragile and wrinkled. Yet, he had a fitter body than most of them have at that age. Angel would feel very happy to share with people that, even at this age her grandfather could walk properly without any stoop or support. She would even feel more excited to see an 86 year old that hardly had any teeth left in his mouth to chew and eat most of the foodstuffs but does not require intake of any medicinal pills to keep him fit. She wondered how, he is able to run and take care of the hotel that he had started more than 40 years before.

However, Angel used to feel very annoyed, as she felt that her grandfather, whom she called “BABA”, is not taking care of his health as much as he should. She thought, he should take enough rest and should not exert himself a lot. As he would spend the whole day from morning eight to evening eight, twelve long hours taking care of the hotel.

It was around seven in the morning. The morning sun was as bright as it could be. The sun rays actually enhanced the beauty of the lush green lawn. The dews on the grass were refreshing the atmosphere even more. The beautiful flowers of so many varied colours were delightful. And here was Angel and her Baba out for a morning walk in the garden.

Angel had completed 26 years of her age that day. Like many, she also aspired to live a great life. So, she had thought of starting her day with Exercising her body and mind. Also, she was very excited to invest quality time with her grandfather. Angel’s grandparents used to reside at a distant place, from the place where Angel used to live with her parents. So, he had come to give his blessings to her especially on her birthday.

Angel always believed that she has been gifted and blessed with great people around her. She always loved to learn new things from people around her. She believed that she has understood enough qualities that were required to live a great life. However, it was time for her to know them even better. To know what actually living value based life can do. How even living by a single value can add a great strength to life?

Angel by nature was very talkative. Her siblings and friends always teased her saying, “Are dusro ko bhi baat karne ka chance diya kar”. This is the extent to which she would love to talk. However, that day Angel had decided that she will be a good listener to her Grandfather. She thought this could be a good way to let him express and make him feel good and important.

She was enjoying the time with her grandfather to the fullest. In her excitement, she said, ‘BABA, why don’t you stay for few more days over here. You should take out sometime for yourself. And it would be great to have some more time with you.’ Angel had already reached in her imagination, where she is having a morning walk with her grandfather for the next few days. The happiness and excitement of that imagination could be seen on her face in those moments.

Awestruck, with the next few words from her BABA. Her facial expressions had completely changed when she heard this. He said, ‘Beta, I would have really loved to stay with you for many more days. But, the workers at the hotel will not have their wages for the next few days because the hotel will be closed then as there is no one to take care of it over there. Those workers are working at our hotel with us for years now. I don’t need anything for my living right now. I have lot of people to take care of me. However, most of the men who are working there do not have any means to run their family. I need to go back and take care of the hotel for them.’

Ah! What a sense of ACCOUNTABILITY! Angel had got all her questions answered. How is that he is still able to take care of the hotel even at this age? How is that he does not feel tired and feel like taking rest?  

Now that she had heard those words, she understood that it was the sense of accountability that was still driving him. That still wakes him up with lot of energy early mornings every day. It’s the accountability that fuels him to go beyond his body. She realized what a single value of Accountability could do to a person. She was even more touched to know her Baba’s sensitivity towards the needy people around her. That day, Angel got one more person that inspired him greatly of value based living…

These were the most memorable, touching and inspiring moments in her life. She decided to start inculcating good values in her one by one. As she knows, how much strength just a single value can add to anyone’s life.