Short stories born out of mere emotions of Life

A leader: A fiery emotion of the soul

Being an old man, Debendranath didn't have much to do. Perhaps, he deserved this relaxing life, after a prolonged period of poverty, tension and hard work. So, the only thing in life that he looked up to , was the visits of his only grandson, from whom, the Terrible Mother Nature had taken away the power to see her creations. That specific morning, the old soul was a lot more eager for his grandson's visit . It's because it was a big day for his grandson. It was the result's day for the Student's Elections at his college and he had stood as a candidate. Though insignificant for many, this was actually a chance for the grandchild to prove his worth. The grandfather waited for long in front of his door,waiting to see his grandchild's face filled with happy tears but unfortunately, Fate had other plans. Well, his grandson DID come rushing to him, he DID have tears on his face, but Alas ! those were the tears of pain and sorrow. He didn't have to speak, his grandfather saw his Great defeat in those Black blind eyes of his dear grandchild. A lonely tear couldn't help but escape the hutch of  Debendranath's eyes. But he said nothing, for he saw his past self in those defeated eyes. He made his grandson sit beside him and dived into the ocean of his thoughts.And he went back.....went back to the 1950s when he was defeated similarly.

So you see, he was born in a rich family of artists...a rather conservative family. In the whole lot, he was a kind of a rebel. He was swayed like a feather in the air of new ideals of the Indian Freedom struggle. Things got worse when he got married at the young age of 19,for his family treated his wife too conservatively. He then took a bold risk and ran away with his wife, leaving behind his belongings and identity. He expected to plunge into political activities as soon as he got settled in a nearby village and start afresh with a new identity as"Debendranath Nothing"....at least that what his fellow party workers said. Though they had new ideas, their soul was still soaked in those unhealthy conservative ideas. And thus, Debendranath was kicked out for not having an identity, for not having a lineage, a title. Oh, how The poor Revolutionary Soul burned within him!! But though his ideals were lost, he still had to provide for his wife and three children. So, he opened up a small bakery and in the oven of bread, his IDEALS, his IDENTITY and his PAST burned. He had to toil day and night only to manage a meager income. 

But maybe the only successful thing in his life were his children,who, raised by their father's hard work and sufferings became successful people. Now when his children were steady in life, in the spotlight, the old man's personality and philosophy were hidden away. People just knew him as an uneducated poor baker who had raised his children good. Who knew that this man had the wisdom that could stun the country? Who knew that he belonged to a rich family?

 As he was lost in his thoughts, his grandson spoke up"What now Grandpa? Seems like I wasn't born to be a leader at all in any case. "Debendranath patted him with fire in his eyes"Leader's aren't born child; they are made by a Good mentor. A Leader isn't a person; it is an emotion in the soul which is unstoppable. You need a good mentor, and I will fill that void, this is my vow that I will return what my country has done for me by providing it a future leader". And he did, it took many years for the whole country to see the lifelong struggle of this old man. Now, after almost 8 years, his grandson sits in his chair in the Minister's office and remembers these memories of his grandfather and pats himself on the shoulder, for the man, who changed his life forever, was no longer there to pat him. Those 8 years of constant struggle with self, with people of their own, the duo of the grandfather and grandson had risen to be victorious. They proved, that identity and physical limitations can stop a body,but can never stop an emotion, a soul.