FAITH…LOVE…RESPECT

When FAITH’s mother saw her face for the first time she was struck by her perfect face. And when she opened her eyes to the world, they were the most soulfully melancholic eyes. Her mother shuddered…

While Faith was growing up, she was a disciplined kid. She was good in studies and extra-curricular activities. But what always bothered her parents was that she never had any friends. She was an obedient child, a sincere student, and no one ever complained about her. She was petite and soft-spoken, and there was something that always scared her. Her mother would sit by her bedside at night, and while running her hand down her daughter’s fragile forehead she would shudder at the thought of what’s in store for her in future. Faith was soo frail and vulnerable, how will she face the harsh world outside…

One fine day Faith came home from school with two friends – Love & Respect. Her parents were pleasantly surprised on seeing their daughter’s friends. Her mother asked the girls to sit and went inside to get something for them to eat. While she served freshly baked cake and cookies to the girls, she noticed that Love was the most beautiful girl she had ever set her eyes on. She looked so perfect, it seemed like God had made her so that everyone can love her. Anyone who sees her cannot but want to look at her forever and ever. But her eyes were filled with so much pain. Suddenly her mother’s heart swelled with sorrow. She quickly said a quick prayer for the girls. Respect however was a little different than the other two girls. She looks matured, spoke less and always had her chin up. She spoke little but always had the last word.

The girls went down to the garden to play. Faith’s mother settled on the portico with her knitting. She could hear the girls giggling and calling out to each other. She smiled to herself and tried recollecting when was the last time she had she seen her daughter so happy and jovial. Just while she was lost in her happy thoughts, the most unbelievable incident happened in front of her.

On the field where the girls were playing, a little deer cub was writhing in pain, while two young leopards dragged it to the bushes. The little girls saw this and ran towards the animals. While Faith reached out to the deer cub, who immediately held onto her as if her life depended on her, Respect slowly but steadily walked towards the leopards. The angry beasts stepped back a little and growled, but the little girl did not stop. She reached out to the leopards and placed her palm on each of their head. The moment she did that, the animals cowered and bent their heads in reverence. Respect then sat down in front of them and whispered something in their ears. The wild beasts, bent their heads and ran towards the jungle. In the meanwhile Faith collected the fragile little deer and very lovingly rocked her gently back and forth. Tears streamed down her cheeks, as she prayed for the little one. She knew that she had to save the poor creature somehow, and the only way she believed she could do that was to pray.

While Faith held on to the cub, Love sat next to her and very slowly and lovingly ran her hand over the baby deer. She kept caressing the frightened and hurt animal. Then she slowly picked up the cub and kissed it. And immediately as if like magic, the deer cub sprung to life. It moved towards Love and thrust its soft head playfully in her lap. Seeing this the three friends laughed out loud and hugged the deer. They picked the baby deer and took her to the jungle where they could leave it with her parents.

Faith’s mother saw this entire episode dumbstruck. She couldn’t believe what she saw. But she was not afraid, or sad, instead her heart swelled with pride. Faith was no longer just her little daughter, she belonged to the universe…..and the universe belonged to her. A silent tear rolled down her cheek, as she closed her eyes to say a silent prayer to keep the girls safe and together. Because she knew that, as long as they are together the world will be a happy place…