Sonbhadra Times

Though Uttam was sitting in his room, pretending to be studying but his mind was not there. Time and again, his attention wandered towered the young boys and men swimming and bathing in the pond. Uttam also wanted to go out and join them.
There was a big pond just a little distance away form Uttam’s house. People used to go there for washing their clothes and taking bath.
Uttam also went there in the evening and enjoued playing in eater.
Gradually, he learnt swimming also.
On Sunday, or on any other holiday, Uttam would reach the pond in the morning and then swim in it for hours together. But Uttam’s parents did not want him to swim in the pond. They felt that he wasted his lot if precious time in this useless exercise while they wanted him to study.
“Sun, you should concentrate on your studies instead of wasting time on such useless pursuits. You will be successful in the long run , if you study hard now,” his father would say.
“Uttam, why do you waste your time in swimming? You have to study hard and become a doctor, ” his mother would tell him.
“But Mummy, I want to become a professional swimmer so that I can earn name and fame in the world, ” stressed the Uttam.
“Don’t argue, Uttam, swimming is an absolutely worthless exercise. Then there is always a risk of life too. What if you get drowned…no…no,” his mother was equally adamant.

“How could I drown , Mummy ? I can swim very well . Swimming is a good exercise to keep the body fit,” said Uttam.
“You are being very obstinate , Uttam . Concentrate on your studies and forget about swimming , ” mother warned him.

Uttam was speechless. He become tense as his mother was forcing him to leave his favorite sport and hobby. How could he even think of giving it up? But his parents wanted him to only study. They never wanted him to waste his time in any of other activities.

One afternoon when Uttam was on his way to home from school, he heard the screams of a boy from the direction of the pond. Immediately, he rushed towards it and was shocked to see a boy of his age, shouting for help in the middle of the pond.
It was noon and the sun was shining brightly. There was no one around the pond. The boy must have come there alone to bathe. He them slipped and fell into the pond. Perhaps, he did not know how to swim. Uttam jumped into the pond immediately to save him from drowning. He caught the boy from hair and tried to bring him out. On hearing voices, many people had gathered there. 2-3 more boys also jumped into the water. Together, they took him out of the pond and lying him flat on his stomatch, made him puck the water he had swallowed, by thumping his back.

Soon the boys’ mother also came there, wailing. When she was told that Uttam had saved her son’s life, she hugged him affectionately. Her eyes were filled with tears of gratitude. When Uttam’s mother heard the noise and saw the crowd through the window of her house, she also came out. She was rather benumbed and surprised when she came to know that the savior of that boy was none other than her own son Uttam. She looked at him. He was standing there with his head bent as he was afraid that mother would be scolding him. She did not say anything and hugged him.

In the evening when father came, she narrated the whole incident of her son’s bravery. His father also patted him on the shoulders. Uttam than asked ,Papa , will you never allow me to go near the pond ? ”

Father looked up at the sad face of his son and then said, “Why not , son ? You will definitely go to there. Nobody will stop you from swimming.”
“Oh really!” exclaimed Uttam in disbelief.
“Yes, my son, no sport is bad, be it swimming or any other game. You yourself have proved this. You are free to do swimming now, but without neglecting your studies.” Uttam promised his father that he would never neglect his studies and try to do well in his exams.


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Meanings :

Pursuit (Noun) : व्यवसाय (उद्यम), प्रबृत्ति ,the act of pursuing,

In the long run :

Precious : adj अनमोल

Stressed : To lay emphasis,

Adamant : n अटल

Drown : डूबना,

Patted :v (-tt-) strike gently with flat palm, esp. in affection, sympathy etc.


You will be successful in the long run, if you study hard now,”

Just a little distance away.

Time and again.

Gradually, he learnt swimming also.

Instead of wasting time .

Such useless pursuits .

Absolutely worthless exercise.

What if you get drowned.

You are being very obstinate, Uttam .

Forget about swimming .

How could he even think of giving it up?

He didn’t know how to swim.

When she was told.

Her eyes were filled with tears of gratitude.

She saw the crowd through the window.

Came out .

She was rather benumbed .

She come to know .

That boy was none other than her own son.

His father also patted him on the shouders.

Oh, really!

You yourself have proved this.