The innocent follower

Bubbly was in a Moral Science class listening intently to the story read out by Mother Supreme. Though her name is Bubbly, she is more of a thinker and an analyzer.

She normally hides behind in the last benches for all other classes, which as most would agree are boring and very difficult to think of applying in day to day life. Moral Science was her favourite class, because she knew it was about conducting oneself in the best manner.

The story told in this class was about a little girl called Mary.

Mary belongs to not-so-well-to-do family. Her father died few years after her youngest sibling was born. The mother became the bread-earner of the family since then. However, now she fell severely ill and was running the family on the meagre savings she made.

It was Christmas season, the town was bustling with celebrations. Mother took pity on her 3 children, who could not celebrate as the other children in the street could. On Christmas Eve, she decided to gather all her remaining savings, and to at least buy a decent meal for them.

She gave Mary money to fetch some potatoes and meat from the corner shop, and a loaf of bread from the bakery next to it.

Mary took the money, went to the corner and bought potatoes and meat, then headed to the bakery to get bread. As she faced the bakery, she noticed there was a huge crowd and people were literally falling over each other to buy bread.

She could barely see the counter guy from the entrance, but soon gathered from the people around that, for the festival, the bakery owner put a gold coin in one of the breads they were selling that day. She thought to herself that she'd probably have to wait until the crowd clears, to buy some bread.

People who could afford bought bigger loaf of bread, hoping the gold coin would be in it. One by one, soon the bakery was almost empty, and it was finally Mary's turn at the counter. There was only one small loaf left behind, and that was just what Mary could afford, so she bought that and rushed home.

Mother could barely stand and cook, but she wanted it to be a special meal for the kids. She mustered the last strength in her body to make some meat stew. Once done, she gathered the kids around the dinning table and asked Mary to the cut the loaf in to smaller pieces.

The moment she did that, there was a tingling sound. Mother and the kids couldn't believe their eyes, it was a gold coin, stuffed in the loaf. Mother said it could be a mistake by the baker, and asked Mary to return it to him.

Mary rushed to the bakery, and told the baker the entire story. The baker smiled and said it belonged to her. He said he watched her waiting patiently all through, when others were to trying to beat the rush. And said she deserved that gift, for her patience and good manners.

With the gold coin, mother was cured with some good medicine, and kids could buy some goodies and clothes for Christmas, and have some decent meals until mother could get back to earning for the family.

Mother Superior finished, Bubbly was happy to learn something new - be patient!

A couple of days later, one of Bubbly's aunts got a sweet box. It was collection of mixed sweets. It was joint family, with about 7-8 kids. The kids including Bubbly joined their aunt and urged her to open the box.

Aunt opened the box, but there was only one Gulab Jamun, and that was a favourite of all the kids there. While other kids were fighting for it, Bubbly's big eyes sparkled, she recollected Mother Supreme's story about Mary; and decided she should be patient, and let others choose what they want; she would select from the leftovers.

While all this was happening, aunt noticed that Bubbly wasn't fighting like the other kids, but was just waiting for her turn. This quality appealed to her, and she announced that gulab jamun will go to Bubbly!

Bubbly was least expecting this to happen, but she was happy that the story she believed in, did not disappoint her. Patience pays! Since then her belief in morals and ethics became even stronger.

Little things shape up a person's character, and like they say, a good leader has to be a good follower.

Bubbly today inspires many by talking about the small things she followed.
At least she hopes she does!