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law had not learnt that just by administering the medicine, one could not cure her disease. “Beta! I have to take the medicines four times a day, please give them to me at the appropriate time.” “Ba! I have kept them on the table next to you. Keep taking them at the fixed time.” At the time of taking the medicines, the mother called out to the daughter-in-law, “Beta! Can you give me some water for the medicines?” “I am leaving a pot of water for you. Do not constantly call on me.” The younger daughter-in-law had not learnt to serve anyone. She was lost in her own world.
Till then, the mother had not conveyed the news of her illness to the elder son and daughter-in-law. However, the daughter-in-law somehow found out and she immediately visited to enquire about her health. She brought ‘ukala' from her home and somehow managed to finish her household chores to come and sit beside the mother-inlaw for entire days. She would talk very sweetly to her, would press her legs and see to all her needs. Slowly, the mother started recovering and one day, was absolutely fine. She bowed down to her daughter-in-law with tears in her eyes. “Mother! What are you doing? Why do you
cry so?”
“Beta, I did not recognize your good virtues. I harassed you a lot, said bitter and harsh words to you. How can one compare your greatness with my pettiness? Please forgive me.”
“Mother, why do you ask for forgiveness? It was my
Ukala = a decoction of milk and medicinal herbs
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