A RITUAL

It was a practice every evening after our routine prayers to read the Holy Bible. One day when ‘Ammachi’ started reading a portion from the Genesis, the first book of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. I asked ‘Ammachi’, “What was the material used by God to create human beings?” After a brief pause she asked us, “If we had heard of the word “Humus?” It is a Latin word, which meant organic constituent soil made out of decomposed flora alone. When one dies, one’s body disintegrates to form the same organic soil. It is from the same word that words like human, humane, humanism, humanist, humanitarian, humanity, humankind, humanoid, human rights, human shield, human chain, humble, and humility have originated. The last two words play a vital role in our lives. As one climbs the ladder of success, one should become more and more humble. The Bible also advises, “One should give up pride and turn away from arrogance. Humility will revive you from destruction.” It is with these lofty thoughts and quotes from the Bible that our ‘Ammachi’ moulded us. In fact, my parents were the greatest role models for us, children.

 How correct is her statement! I have observed the bamboo trees. It is an epitome of her teachings. “The taller the bamboo tree grows the lower it bends.”

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com

josephjthayamkeril@google.com

josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com