The Blessings of Mother Durga

( The Story of two friends from different faiths )

Autumn had again heralded the festive aroma in Bengal that knelled the arrival of Goddess Durga. With a few weeks to go before the biggest puja of the State, everyone was busily on a shopping spree. Two graduate friends – one Arsh, a muslim young boy and the other Harsh, a Hindu young boy were accidentally each other’s namesakes. The former went out for puja shopping for the latter who had managed to amass some pennies from giving a couple of home tuitions after his father’s demise. With this he wished to buy new clothes for his old mother and a young sister.
While on their way to the market, Arsh got a call from his mother that his father had collapsed on the floor at home. There was no one to take care of them except for Arsh himself. On hearing this, both the friends rushed to Arsh’s home and his father was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where the doctor admitted him for treatment. This accident let Arsh down so much that he began to sulk in a corner of the hospital just beside his already nervous mother. Harsh mustered courage and solaced his friend, ” Hey buddy, no need to panic. Your dad has got me as his second son. As long as I am with you, nothing is gonna happen to him.” Overwhelmed, Arsh hugged his friend and broke into sudden tears. Harsh rushed to the reception counter and paid the bill in advance. Arsh stopped him from paying the bill reminding him, ” Just a minute, Harsh. This is the money you had been amassing penny by penny for as long as one year for Durga Puja festivity. Don’t spoil your puja, please. ” ” Humanity first ! And yes, Goddess Durga is the exemplar of determination, compassion, and righteousness. If I do at least one of these, this will be what I call my puja or worship to Mother Durga”, replied Harsh.
Within three to four days Arsh’s dad recuperated and walked back happily to his home. His mother was relieved to get the god of his home back. On the day of Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja, Arsh went to his friend’s home and taking out a wrapped packet from his bag surprised him saying, ” Harsh !! This is something my father has sent for you. ” Unwrapping the packet, Harsh got overwhelmed when he saw new clothes that Arsh’s tailor father, just after recuperation, had sewn himself for Harsh and his mother, the two members of his family. Harsh’s eyes clouded with the tears of joy. He thanked Mother Durga for blessing both the families with her generous gifts, no matter in whatever forms, that a human mind can hardly understand.

Md Ahtesham Ahmad,
Andal, West Bengal,
India