Vow

Two kilometers away from my village, I and my father loaded the sack and cycle on top of the boat by lowering the 90 kg mustard sack from the frame of the bicycle near the river. It was a rainy season. The river water was in spate. The boat was a way to go to the city. The boat could only hold 10 to 12 people at a time. When the boat left, an uncle asked me, son, how much do you study? I answered “four”. Then Uncle said, tell me son, how much difference are there between seventy nine and eighty nine. I could not answer this question. Uncle said no matter, study hard. My father did not say anything to me at that time but his mind became very angry.

The boat reached the other bank of the river. My father and I took the sack and the bicycle down from the boat. After sacking the sack, he reached the city. Father sold mustard at a whole sale shop and got a profit of Rs. 350. With the money received, the father bought some ration and green vegetables for the house.

When I reached home in the evening, Mother gave jaggery and water for both of us to drink. But the father was angry, he told me why you do not know the difference between seventy nine and eighty nine. I did not say anything Then the father grabbed me out of the door and started beating him with slippers. He was so struck that both his legs slippers broke. I kept crying but no one saved me from their beating. Then I vowed at the same time that now I have to study diligently.