The Poor Father's Life.

Once in a small village named Shonapur, there lived a poor man named Rahim. He was a simple farmer who worked day and night in the fields. His house was nothing more than a small hut made of mud and bamboo. The roof leaked when it rained, and the cold wind would enter through the broken walls in winter.

But Rahim had something priceless — his family.

He lived with his wife Amina and his only son, Karim. Life was hard for them, but Rahim never gave up. Every morning before the sun rose, he would go to the fields, bare-footed, with an old plough in hand. The fields were dry, the soil was hard, and his body was weak — but his will was stronger than any difficulty.

Rahim believed in honesty. He never stole, never cheated, and always taught his son the value of hard work.

"Son," he would often say, "money can be lost, property can be lost, but honesty and hard work stay with a man till his last breath."

Karim was a bright child. He loved studying, but books were a luxury they could not afford. Still, Rahim collected every coin he earned and bought old second-hand books from the market for his son. At night, after finishing his tiring work, Rahim would sit beside Karim and help him read.

But days were getting harder.

One year, the village suffered from a terrible drought. No rain fell for months. The crops died. The fields turned to dust. Many rich landlords left the village, but Rahim stayed. He had nowhere to go.

There were days when the family had nothing to eat except dry bread and water. Amina would cry quietly at night, worried for their son. But Rahim would hold her hand and say, "We will not lose hope. Better days will come."

But things became worse.

One evening, Karim fell ill with a high fever. There was no doctor in the village, and Rahim had no money to take him to the city hospital.

He ran from door to door, asking for help.

Some people ignored him. Some made excuses. And some were too poor themselves to help.

Finally, a kind-hearted old man gave him a small amount of money. Rahim didn't waste a second. He carried Karim on his shoulder and walked miles through the dark forest road to the nearest clinic.

By the grace of God, Karim recovered after a few days.

But Rahim’s health had started to break down.

Years passed.

Karim grew up and completed his school education — all because of his father’s sacrifices. He knew very well how much his father had suffered for him.

One day, Karim told his father, "Baba, I want to go to the city for higher studies."

Rahim smiled.

"My son, you must go. Education is the light that will remove the darkness of poverty from our lives."

Rahim sold his small piece of land — the only thing he owned — and gave the money to Karim for his admission and living expenses.

It broke his heart to send his son away, but he knew it was the only way for Karim to have a better future.

Karim worked hard in the city. He studied day and night. He faced many challenges, but the thought of his father’s struggle gave him strength.

After years of struggle, Karim completed his university degree and got a good job in a big company.

He never forgot his roots.

The first thing Karim did after getting his salary was to return to his village.

When he arrived at the broken hut, he saw his father sitting outside — older, weaker, but still with that same warm smile.

Tears filled Karim’s eyes.

"Baba, I have returned."

Rahim stood up slowly, and hugged his son tightly.

"My son, I knew you would make me proud."

Karim took his father and mother to the city. He bought them a small but beautiful house. He gave them a life of comfort they had never seen before.

But Rahim remained the same humble man.

He would sit in the garden, remembering his old village life — not with sadness, but with pride.

One day, Karim asked him, "Baba, do you regret your hard life?"

Rahim smiled.

"My son, I was never poor. I was rich in love, rich in honesty, and rich because I had you. Money comes and goes, but values stay forever."

His words touched Karim's heart deeply.

Years later, when Rahim passed away peacefully in his sleep, the entire village came to pay their respects.

People said, "Rahim was a poor man by wealth, but a king by heart."

His story lived on — a story of sacrifice, love, and dignity.