Ravi had big plans for the future.  He wanted to be somebody big, and he was not satisfied assisting his father. He thought about how to make his father’s business more efficient, in hopes that his father would recognize him, and allow him to take a leadership role in the company.  But his father limited Ravi to a role that was more related to rudimentary accounting.  Ravi explored various avenues to try and make his father’s business more efficient.  He explored the possibility of using different contractors, cheaper cement, and different materials.  Nevertheless, he was like a rookie advising a senior captain.  He was young and naïve; naturally, he made many mistakes in his eagerness to prove himself a sharp businessman. 

Ravi had the same feelings many people have; he wanted to be SOME BODY! Can you imagine Ravi singing this Hindi song from "Yes Boss!"

In truth, Ravi had some good ideas for his father’s business, but he also had many bad ideas.  Having expressed a few bad ideas,  Ravi’s reputation was lost.  He often struggled with his father who wanted Ravi to simply look after the routine accounting functions, and not worry about the business operations as a whole.

Ravi faced an even larger problem.  He did not know how to wait for the right time to bring up his clever ideas.  He was somewhat childish and immature in his communication. 

Ravi darted into his father’s office.  “Dad, dad, I know the idea about the cement was bad,” he said nervously, “but this time I’ve done my research and I know I have a winner money saving idea!”

“The quality of Bharat (Bhaa-rut) Steel is comparable to what we are currently using, and if we sign the contract to use them, we can save 15 percent!” exclaimed Ravi.

Mr. Paresh (Pu-resh) Rawal felt that his son was not very bright, nevertheless, he was hardly ever insulting.  He did not take his son very seriously.  Paresh was like a clever doctor with a sick patient.  He would say and do anything to minimize confrontation. 

“Is that so?” asked Mr. Paresh Rawal.

 “That does sound very interesting.  Why don’t you e-mail me the details and I will look at it,” he said.

Ravi’s face gleamed with pride.  After all, this was the first time that his father saw potential in his ideas--or so he thought.  “Yes dad, yes!  I will definitely do that!”  He was feeling confident, alive, and happy.  “Finally, my dad realizes that I am actually a very valuable asset!” he thought. 

Several days later, Ravi asked his father, “Dad, what did you think about my proposal to switch to a different steel supplier?”

Mr. Paresh Rawal replied very carefully, “Son, Don’t worry your head about these matters.  We are doing fine financially.  We don’t need to be taking any unnecessary risks.”

“What’s the risk?  Bharat Steel is a name brand company.”

Ravi’s father replied very cleverly, “Well, I never thought of it that way.”

“Say did you close the accounting books for the month.  I hear that the government auditors might be coming in next week,” he continued.

“Auditors coming in next week?!” panicked Ravi, “Nobody told me about them!”

“Yes, please be sure that the books are closed properly, and give the report to Rajan so that he can look at it.”    Rajan was a senior analyst with the company that was well respected by his father and other senior officials.

No auditors showed up, and Ravi passed his time checking and double checking the accounting books.  Several weeks passed by in anticipation of the auditors.  Nobody came.  Ravi had been tricked by his father again.

It went on and on like this for a very long time, and Ravi began to realize that his father did not take him very seriously.

But, my dear readers, this story is not about Ravi’s struggle with his father.  Ravi was a man with a clean heart, and he never lost respect for his father.  He was saddened, but never vengeful.  Vengefulness and bitter feelings were against his principles, because he knew that such feelings would give rise to evil thoughts against his father.  And Evil he dared not become!  He preferred to be sad.  But what could he do?  He wanted to be somebody big.  He wanted power.  He wanted respect.  But since revenge and bitter feelings were never an option for Ravi, he just had to find another way.  But what?!  Juhi would help him.

Juhi did not face such grave disappointments in life.  She was happily teaching mentally challenged students at a local non-profit school. 

Not all the students were equally mentally challenged; some students had more learning difficulties than others.  Society might have considered some of these children as “mentally retarded.”  Juhi never thought of any of them in that way.  They were all sparks of love to her--love striving somehow to express itself through human endeavors--in much the same way as we all endeavor.  And the children with the most learning difficulties were also very special; they were put on this earth to teach us to care. 

Her joy was being natural and friendly with all children, but in particular, she had a soft spot for these unprivileged children.