A Story for Father’s Day - A MEMORABLE GIFT

A Story for Father’s Day

A MEMORABLE GIFT

Hello Friends!
Hope all of you are busy with your new books and time-table. How about a story for a change! This story is about a wonderful gift presented by three little sons to their dear father on the occasion of his birthday. Isn’t it nice to hear about such a story during the Father’s Day? Well, let me tell you about the origin of Father’s Day first.
Sonora Smart Dodd of Washington State proposed the idea of the "Father’s Day" in 1909 to honor her father, William Smart. Mr. Smart, a Civil War veteran, raised his 6 children (including Sonora) by himself on a rural farm in Eastern Washington State after his wife (Sonora’s mother) died in childbirth with their 6th child.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane, Washington. At about the same time in various towns and cities across USA, the other people began to celebrate the Father’s Day. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day, but it took many years until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson finally signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of every June. Father’s Day has become a day to not only honor your father, but all men who act as a father figure. Stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and adult male friends are all be honored on Father’s Day.
Now, let’s jump from America to Russia, for our story is a Russian folk tale.
Stefan, a poor farmer had a vegetable garden. He had three smart children who were helping him in maintaining the garden well. At the bottom of the vegetable garden they had grown a row of aple trees. At the end of the row there was a gap for one sappling. As the apple sapplings were costly Stefan could not offord to get one. Whenever he saw the gap in the row, he felt sad.
Usually apples get ripened during autumn. On an autumn evening he was walking in the garden with his eldest son, Perchik. The apple trees were laden with apples. When they came to the place where there was the gap, Stefan said, "I am sorry, I could not afford to buy one sappling to fill the gap there."
"Oh father! Why do you worry? We shall get many more sapplings and raise an apple orchard itself. We are all here to help you," said the eleven year old Perchik.
Stefan felt happy to hear these words. What else can a father expect from his dear child?
Perchik was a very intelligent boy. His brothers, Sergei and Mikhail, too excelled in studies as well as household work. Sergei was good at savings and Mikhail had an ambition to raise his own garden of flowers. He had already grown many colourful flower plants in the backyard of his house. His little plants were full of flowers!
One evening Perchik remembered that his father’s birthday was only two days away. He wanted to give a valuable gift to his father which makes him happy. He discussed the idea with his mother and brothers. They came to a conclusion that an apple sappling which can fill the gap at the row would be the fittest gift.
Well, now, they know what is to be presented. But where is the money? Every problem has a solution, you know. The three boys discovered their own solutions.
Perchik went to the landlord of the village and offered his services as a wood cutter. The nobleman was kind enough to allow him to chop fire wood. At the end of the day’s work he paid Perchik handsomely. Sergei contributed all his pocket money and also the amount which was given to him for the purchase of new shoes for the winter. Little Mikhail had an ingenious plan! He plucked the beautiful flowers he had grown at the backyard and made small bunches. He took them to the market and sold them. People who saw his flowers loved them at the first sight! They even paid more money.
It was when these three young adventurers collected the money they required. They went to the market and purchased an apple sappling. They brought it carefully and kept it in the yard. They wanted to give the gift as a surprise. So none of them spoke about it.
Early next morning the three kids crept out of the house. They carried their sappling to the place where there was the gap in the row. They started digging a hole big enough to plant the sappling. When Perchik digged nearly two feet deep, his spade hit something hard. It sounded like a heavy metal box. They dug the ground fast and took out the metal box. When they opened it they were amazed to find gold coins!
Delighted with their discovery the three boys ran to their house with the box. Before going they planted the sappling neatly. The morning breez greeted them and the leaves waved them!
After reaching home, they greeted their father in chorus, "Happy birthday, Papa". They showed the box of gold coins to their father and narrated the whole story sarting from the idea of planning a birthday gift with their own money.
Stefan was all tears when he listened to the adventure of these three kids! He kissed them all and went with them to the garden to see the apple sappling. The sappling had filled the gap!
"Thank you so much. I have never had a happier birthday," said Stefan.
When all of them returned home, Stefan divided the gold coins into three equal parts and distributed them to the three children. He told them to use the money in the right way when they grow up. The children insisted the father to keep all the money.
Stefan refused and said, "The apple tree is enough. We can work hard and run the farm with your help and when I grow old, the apple tree will remind your mother and me of your love for us. What could be more precious?"
Now, tell me, what could be more precious than the love and affection of one’s children?
How’s the story? Did you like it?
Meet you soon.
Bye.
Yours,
Bedre N. Manjunath


Compiled by /-
Bedre N. Manjunath M.A.,
Transmission Executive
All India Radio
Chitradurga - 577 501.
Ph: 9448589089