The Story of an Ant (Story of Transformation 21)

One cold, frosty day in the middle of winter a group of ants was busy drying out some grains of corn, which had grown damp during the wet autumn weather.

A grasshopper half dead with cold and hunger, came up to one of the ants. "Please give me a grail or two from your store of corn to save my life," he said faintly.

"We worked day and night to get this corn in. Why should I give it to you?" asked the ant angrily. "What were you doing all last summer when you should have been gathering your food?"

Oh I didn't have time for things like that, said the grasshopper. "I was far too busy singing to carry corn about."

The ant laughed unkindly. "In that case you can sing all winter as far as I am concerned," he said. And without another word he turned back to his work.

*****

Preeti Lama

These were the types of stories that she used to write every day and show me for correction. I don’t know whether she loved writing them or not, whether she would draw morals from them or not as well. But what I do know is that she used to do and just as the hardworking ant, she used to work when she had to be working.

After her S.L.C, she shared that she wanted to learn something about media and communication, I took her to Sabin dai, my mentor. Sabin dai asked her to join his News Agency during her holidays and help him in his work so that she could learn from whatever they would do everyday and also help them in her ways.

In the evening of her first day at the agency, Sabin dai called and shared, “Bhawana, there is something in this girl. She would definitely make everyone proud with her works.”

I can’t express how happy I was listening him praise her. I wonder how she could prove herself in just a single day. But then, I realized how diligent she was.

*****

I knew Preeti Lama when she was in grade eight. She was the silent girl of her class. When everyone would be chatting and laughing around, she used to be in her own world of silence. I taught her for three years and I could see how much she had progressed in those three years from an average student to an outstanding one. It was all because of her labor. 

Rajkumari didi, her mother, the ayah of our school always used to share with us during our lunch hours how ill-fated child she was; frequent illness and lack of support from her father, she had to undergo a terrible childhood.

Preeti used to live in one small room provided by the school with her mother and daughter. Gas stove at one corner, dresses on the another corner, books on the small section of bed, sewing machine on the side of bed and all other utensils and vegetables scattered on the floor. That was the condition of

Preeti, after receiving prizes in school's extra curricular activites

their room. But out of all the mess, what really attracted us were the creations of her, pasted on those walls.

Each time I would peep into that small world, I could see one young psychologist Preeti playing a small radio by her side and reading.

But, whenever we used to chat, Rajkumari didi with tears on her eyes used to share, “Miss, Preety lai ta SLC sama matra padauna paucha hola, paisa nai chaina” (Miss, we can’t afford Preety to study after her SLC). 

I used to console her saying that Preety is a hardworking girl and she would pave her way herself and she shouldn’t worry much about her. 

Rather Rajkumari didi would say “Haina, miss yo ta ekdum abhagi cha.” (She is very unfortunate, so it’s better not to expect from her)

Though, I don’t believe in fortune, Rajkumari didi’s evidence would always win that she was ill fated. No love from family member, no support and guidance and mostly whenever, exams would be near she would suffer from diseases. I know there was nothing to do with her fate rather she was suffering from malnutrition. They couldn’t afford balanced diet. The doctors used to prove but that wouldn't satisfy Rajkumari didi. She was sure her child was doomed and isn't going to get any success in her life. 

Among all these odds, I could see her growing. I could see her zeal to achieve more. I could sense her hunger for knowledge and I could listen her soul which wanted to help several other broken families and children who are undergoing the same problems like her. 

She used to say, “I have seen many mentally disturbed people in my village because of several economic and social problem and being a psychologist, I want to help them. They need to rise above that. They deserve more.”

****

It has been a week that she has been studying Science in grade 11 at Pentagon International College with the support of Samaanta Foundation. She was among the 10 fellows Samaanta Foundation selected to help after a rigorous application process this year.

She loves her mom a lot and says whatever she would do in her life, it would be for her. Albeit, this time, I am happy that she proved her mom wrong that she is doomed.  I am happy that she proved herself the master of her fate and the captain of her destiny. I just wish that she would take care of her physical health and help many others to have a better mental health.

****

Courage isn't always a lion's roar... It's also the silence of ant working patiently, persistently and never giving up. Preeti, in my eyes is the ant; silent but persistent on her dreams.