Radha is a little sweet girl, who is 7 years old. She stays in a beautiful but small village where no one fights and where is no untidiness or garbage spilled all around. Radha’s mother’s name is Ramya, father is known as vitthalrao. Radha’s father is a farmer and her mother is a housewife. Radha is the only child of her parents. Now she wished for a friend………
Radha is a bit curious about everyone and everything she sees or hears. Radha had many friends, sita, veena, madhuri, Carol, raja, jai, parnav. Older people like Anna kaka , mothi aaji (granny who is her neighbour) and ganesh temples panditji whom she calls nana are also her friends. But still she wanted a friend with whom she can talk, share her secret’s, a friend who will always be with her.
One morning she told her mother that she wanted a friend for herself who will be always by her side. On hearing that her mother said that she already has so many friends.
But Radha exclaimed,” O mumma !, but these friends you are talking about go to their house as the sun sets. I want a friend who stays with me, here…….. With us .” And walked away in anger.
Next morning radha’s mother got a mango plant from the market and called Radha. Radha was playing with the kitten of the neighbouring aunt.
She replied spontaneously, ” coming… coming…….mumma”, ran towards her mother.
Radha saw her mother within the front yard with the mango plant. She curiously asked her mother, that what was she doing with the mango plant. Her mother told Radha that she was making space for the new friend of Radha. Radha didn’t understand, what her mother wanted to say.
Observing Radha’s confused expression, her mother said, “My dear, you wanted a friend with whom you can stay all the time, but your friends also have a mother who would worry about them. So I have brought this mango plant”.
Radha understood what her mother’s point was, but she was still not understanding the role of the mango plant.
She questioned, ” Mumma, I understand but then again why do you have a mango plant?”
Her mother replied, ” Dear, this plant here, will be always with you as your friend. He will grow up here, besides you. Share your thoughts, secret’s with him. Water him. This friend will not only provide you with shade but will give you fruits”.
Radha happily watered the mango plant and promised to cherished it.
This was Radha’s new friend…………………
–END–
