Vedantic Tales : The Blue Pellet

Oh, alas! his mother cried. His sisters are not here. What is to be done!

You, said the sannyasin gently, can be regarded as a member of his family. Once again he put his ear to Madhav's heart. He shook his head. Just a little longer

Me? Oh, if only I could give my life for his! the mother cried. How gladly I would give it! In his mind Madhav shouted a protest, as if the very force of his thought must be heard.

But the sannyasin calmly drew from his bag the same small box from which he had taken the yellow pellet. He now produced a blue one. It will be a very quick and painless death, he said, holding the pill out to her on his palm.

The mother took a step backward. But ... my life! she cried. How can I? My daughters. They need their mother. Who will care for them? If you knew their mothers-in-law you would understand! And their children my grandchildren! They all need me! Alas! How can I give my life when it is not my own? It is my duty to live. Oh, if only my girls were here!

Madhav began to feel the blood tingling through his legs and felt a relaxation coming into his throat. He moved his tongue in his mouth.. But there was no need now to speak. Slowly, unnoticed, he turned his head toward the scene beside the couch. His mother was staring at the pill in the sannyasin hand, and in her face was an immense vitality, affronted, insulted. It is not as though I were an old woman, she said. I still have many years of service. My daughters, my grandchildren, perhaps even my great grandchildren ... so much responsibility!

[ Back ] [ Vedantic Tales ] [ Up ] [ Next ]