Before the Cock Crows Twice....

From the window I could see a bunch of fresh flowers sway in the morning wind, water droplets dripping drop by drop on to the window panes and then splashing droplets on my face. I could feel the freshness of cool breeze touching my face as if in invitation. I went out in the garden, the air was so fresh that it relieved my mind. 

Kids were playing in the street, sailing paper boats on the locked water… A young couple enjoying the first rain as they walked down the street returning from their morning walk. I smiled at them,
‘Good morning’…a familiar greeting forced me to turn back and there she was holding lot of stuff in hand … I said, "Aunty, Mummy is not home".
She said, “it’s raining and I don’t have an umbrella and got some stuff to carry”.
Dad came from inside and said “Come inside let the rain abate and then you may go.”
“No brother I got to go … Anto will be waiting for me to pack his Tiffin as he readies for college”.

As I walked her home, she asked me if I had recently met Anto. I replied in the positive and that I had seen him with a few friends walk down the street in a direction opposite to where she came from a while earlier, as she was returning from church.

She thought she too had seen him at a distant, but as the group got closer she did not find him in the crowd. I told her that seated in my balcony, I had seen him hide behind the block and waited for her to pass by. He was afraid his friends would ridicule him after seeing his mother in her attire. Anto always wore a pretense about himself. He spoke ‘Queen’s English’ to his siblings knowing they understood No word of what he said. But it was English, and they were all proud of him.

On arriving home, she told Anto that she saw him disappear in the crowd, when she wanted him help her carry some of the stuff. He sheepishly grinned and tried telling her to resist wearing the traditional outfit and opt for something that was worn by the younger generation. She knew he was in denial of his mother. He was ashamed of her. Recalled the passage she heard that morning …. Matthew 26:34, 'Jesus tells Peter that before the cock crows twice, Peter will deny him thrice.'  

Good Animal Lost...... Bad Human Gained

Raj had arrived at Maximum City in search of livelihood. As he disembarked the train that brought him from the southern tip of the continent, he saw the stream of passengers heading for the exit and followed suit. Having heard tales of the city from travelers he was wonderstruck at seeing the tall edifices, with its gothic architecture. Wandering the streets not knowing where he could find abode, he arrived at the entrance of a Chemical store.
As he sat tired and forlorn, Shaw the owner walked in and wanted to know who he was. Raj told him he was in search of food to quell his hunger. Shaw said he could be employed if he was willing to learn and earn his living. Terms agreed, Raj started as a Helper. It was the only menial task available. Unloading stocks from the mezzanine when required for sale.

One day the counter salesman absented.  Shaw called Raj and asked him how far he had studied. Pat came the reply, ‘Matric fail Sir.’
Can you stand in for the counter salesman for today?
Ever willing, Raj took charge of his new assignment and at closing hours, Shaw noticed he did a better sale for the day. As the shutters were being downed, Shaw asked Raj what was his paycheck.
Raj said ‘100 a day Sir’.

Shaw promoted Raj to counter salesman @ 150 per day. Raj was all Smiles. He  knew why they called this the 'City of Dreams.' Months passed by and the business grew. Shaw established a Manufacturing facility for the Chemicals he sold. Shaw was now Director of the establishment.
Once an ‘Advance’ was collected for a consignment. Unfortunately it was not available on Time. The client who placed the order created a ruckus demanding refund. No sooner had the client left the Consignment arrived. The outdoor salesman not being at hand, Shaw asked Raj if he could deliver the goods. He knew the client would not want the goods as his needs were met. Under instruction of not asking for balance payment Raj had only to deliver the goods and return. He did, but on arrival presented Shaw with a balance check and another Order from the client.
Shaw was astounded and asked Raj how he could do it. Raj told him how he explained the usefulness of the product. Impressed the client multiplied the order.
Shaw asked Raj what was his paycheck. ‘150 per day Sir,’ came the reply.How far had he studied. ‘Matric fail Sir.’  
Well said Shaw, from today you are an Outdoor Salesman @ 300 per day. The business expanded. The Chemical manufacturing facility grew by leaps and bounds.    

25 years passed by. It was the silver jubilee celebrations of Shaw Enterprises. Shaw was Chairman and Raj the Managing Director.
The chairman wanted the celebrations at the grounds adjacent to their first store. As they arrived, in their long drawn cars the Chairman placed a hand on the MD’s shoulders and said ‘Raj do you remember 25 years before when it all started between us.’  How could Raj forget. And as the Chairman waxed eloquent, Raj excused himself and ran towards the store. Climbed the stairs and began unloading the Cans. Later as Raj got back the Chairman who was waiting for the event to be declared open, asked Raj how far he studied  ‘Matric fail Sir.’. And what is your paycheck today ‘10,000 per day sir.’ 'Why what happened?' I was wondering why you ran into the store.' I noticed there was a help short, and so the unloading was not happening as wanted.

The Chairman wondered whether he lost a good helper and got a bad Managing Director.  

Sometimes the way we live, God maybe wondering if he has lost a Good Animal and got a Bad Human.