The Meaning of Freedom

Ten-year-old Rahul absolutely hated studying.

- Dr K. Rani

Just the sight of letters and numbers made his head spin. Every morning, while picking up his school bag, he would make a face as if he were being punished. His true joy lay in playing games on the mobile phone, watching cartoons and playing cricket.

His father, Raghav, was a disciplined man who valued punctuality. He wanted his son to study and make something of himself, but Rahul’s attitude always troubled him. He would try to make him understand in every way, but Rahul’s world was far removed from books.

“Rahul, read this lesson aloud. Do you remember what I told you?”

“I don’t remember, Papa. Studying is boring. I’d rather watch videos on the mobile.”

His father frowned and said, “If you don’t change now, what will you do in the future?”

Rahul had heard this many times, and the warning no longer affected him.

Independence Day was approaching and preparations at school were in full swing. Each class had to present a patriotic song. Children were asked to join the morning procession, and teachers wanted them to write their thoughts on the topic of ‘freedom’. Rahul had already decided that not only would he not participate, but he wouldn’t even go to school that day. He smiled to himself, thinking that while everyone would be singing patriotic songs at school, he would be wrapped in his blanket, fast asleep.

“What’s the point of waking up early, roaming the streets and waving the Tiranga? The country got its freedom years ago,” he grumbled.

On the eve of Independence Day, he went to bed early after dinner. “Tomorrow will be my own day of freedom,” he said with a smile and closed his eyes.