“Can I see my baby?” the happy new mother
asked.
asked.
When
the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon
his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall
hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.
the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon
his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall
hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.
Time
proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was
marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his
mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of
heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a
freak.”
proved that the baby’s hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was
marred. When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his
mother’s arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of
heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. “A boy, a big boy … called me a
freak.”
He
grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he
might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent
for literature and music. “But you might mingle with other young people,” his
mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart. The boy’s father had a
session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could
graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.
grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow students, he
might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent
for literature and music. “But you might mingle with other young people,” his
mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart. The boy’s father had a
session with the family physician. Could nothing be done? “I believe I could
graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be procured,” the doctor decided.
Whereupon
the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man.
Two years went by. Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have
someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret,” said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents
blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.
the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man.
Two years went by. Then, “You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have
someone who will donate the ears you need. But it’s a secret,” said the father.
The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His talents
blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs.
Later
he married and entered the diplomatic service. “But I must know!” He urged his
father, “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.” “I do not
believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to
know … not yet.” The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come …
one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over
his mother’s casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and
raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer
ears. “Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered
gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”
he married and entered the diplomatic service. “But I must know!” He urged his
father, “Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for him.” “I do not
believe you could,” said the father, “but the agreement was that you are not to
know … not yet.” The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come …
one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over
his mother’s casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and
raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer
ears. “Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut,” he whispered
gently, “and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they?”
Real
beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure
lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies
not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.
beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure
lies not in what that can be seen, but what that cannot be seen. Real love lies
not in what is done and known, but in what that is done but not known.
Anonymous
