Chitrabhanu Man with Vision

Author(s): Clare Rosenfield
Publisher: Jain Meditation International Centre New York

Page 24

dler, with eyes of velvet black, he blossomed under the nourishing love of his mother and father. In this way, he grew and his love for his parents grew. It was a perfect childhood.
But one year later, Rup's perfect childhood came to an end.
From infancy he and his little sister Magi used to sleep by their mother's side at night. But one night when Magi was only one
and Rup barely four, they were taken to sleep in their father's bed.
"Where is Mama? Where is she?" Rup murmured in his half-sleep. He missed her nearness and for a while he felt a momentary panic seize him, until gentle sleep took hold once again.
When morning broke, the truth of that confused night dawned upon him. “You'll never see your mother again,” he heard the brutal news. His sunshine world was darkened. It felt as if his life had been cut short, eclipsed. Overwhelmed by grief, he turned and fled from the painful sting of those harsh words. But rather than run away and hide, he ran into the arms of solace and understanding. He rushed straight to the good old man, dear friend and neighbor to whom he used to carry all his little tales of joy and woe.
This time it was no small event to complain about. Tears poured from his eyes as he buried his face into the old man's large and roomy shoulder. He unburdened his heart, "O uncle, where has my Mama gone? What is this death they talk about? Please,” he pleaded, “please tell me the truth.”
As wise as he was kind, the old man gently caressed the small boy's curly locks and held him calmly until his tears subsided. When the waves of emotion began to ebb, he set him down by his side and looked deeply into his eyes. Smoothing Rup's brow with a tender loving touch, he softly spoke to him, “Rup, dear child, look up! Look high above us! Can you see those starry spaces?”
Rup looked up. His friend continued, “Isn't it wonderful – the stars are still shining and peeping at us, but it is daytime and the bright sunlight makes it impossible for us to see them.