A father's agony: The burden of unfulfilled dreams

A small kutcha hut built in the corner of the village, in front of which stood an old peepal tree, as if it had been watching the condition of this house for years. Raghuveer, sitting on the cot inside, had his eyes lost in emptiness. Memories of the past years were running in his wrinkled eyes like a movie. His wife Sumitra was sitting on a stool nearby, who would sometimes look into his eyes and sometimes stare at the fire of wood burning in the stove.

Raghuveer was once a well-known farmer of the village. The result of his hard work in the fields was that his crops were always flourishing. But his real capital were the dreams of his son Amar. Amar was good in studies from the beginning. He always got the best marks in the village school. Raghuveer's dream was that his son should become a big man, leave the village and make his mark in a big city.

Amar also wanted to live up to his father's expectations. When he got admission in a big college in the city, there was an atmosphere of happiness in the house. Raghuveer raised money for his son's education by mortgaging his land.

"Son, work hard, my dreams are in your dreams." Raghuveer said while caressing Amar's head as he left. Amar's eyes were shining.

Amar went to the city, but Raghuveer and Sumitra's life turned into a struggle. The fields became small, the crops were not growing like before. The loan taken from the moneylenders was slowly becoming a burden. But despite all this, Raghuveer would send money every month so that Amar's education would not suffer.

On the other hand, life in the city was not easy for Amar. He had to do many small jobs along with his studies. But he never wanted to trouble his parents, so he always said, "Dad, don't worry, I will take care of everything.

Time passed. Amar's studies were about to be completed, but getting a job was not easy. One day, Raghuveer received a letter from Amar:

"Dad, I have to struggle a lot to get a job. I am trying a lot, but nothing has happened so far. I know you have sacrificed a lot for me, but sometimes I feel that maybe I am not able to live up to your expectations."

Raghuveer called Amar as soon as he read the letter. "Son, your struggle is my victory. You just keep trying. You will definitely get success."

But his voice became heavy while saying this.

Amar tried a lot, but could not find a permanent job for many years. The financial condition of the house deteriorated further. The debt kept increasing, a large part of the land went to the moneylenders. Raghuveer had grown old now, he did not have the strength to work.

One day, Amar decided to return home. He wanted to come to his parents. But when he reached the village, he found his father very weak and broken.

Raghuveer wiped the tears hidden in his eyes on seeing Amar and said, "Son, your coming is the biggest happiness for me."

But Amar was feeling guilty. "Father, I could not fulfill your dreams. I failed."

Raghuveer put his hand on his shoulder and said, "Son, more important than whether the dreams were fulfilled or not is that we had the courage to see them. You tried, this is the biggest victory for me."

Amar had tears in his eyes. He touched his father's feet and vowed to himself that he would try again, he would not give up.

Amar started a small business in the village itself. Slowly he achieved success. His father may have felt his dreams were incomplete, but he lived his dream again in his son's persistence, hard work and dedication.

Raghuveer now sits comfortably on his cot and looks at the fields spread far and wide, where a gentle breeze blows as the sun sets. There is a smile of satisfaction on his face. He had understood that whether dreams are fulfilled or not, but efforts never go in vain.

Because the biggest dream of a father is to live in the efforts of his son.