The Tale of Leelavati: Love and True Fatherhood

Betal began yet another story as Vikram carried him on his shoulder. This time, the tale revolved around a woman named Leelavati, whose life was marked by unexpected turns and difficult choices.

Leelavati was first married to a man who, though a thief by trade, decided to give up his life of crime for her sake. When they had a son, he struggled to make ends meet honestly but eventually found himself returning to his old ways to support his family. However, this life of hardship took a toll on him, and he passed away young, leaving Leelavati and her son to fend for themselves.

After his death, Leelavati remarried, this time to a kind businessman who loved both her and her son dearly. The businessman raised the boy as his own, providing him with a good education, love, and guidance. He built a stable life for his family, ensuring that the boy grew up to be responsible and capable. When the boy came of age, he took over the business his stepfather had nurtured, running it with the values he had learned under his father’s loving care.

But then, fate struck again. Both the businessman and Leelavati passed away, leaving the young man to carry out the final rites for his parents. As he stood by the river, performing the rituals, two hands reached out from the water to receive the offerings—a gesture that was meant to symbolize the acceptance of his homage.

The boy was stunned, recognizing his mother’s voice, but was unsure which of the two hands belonged to his real father. One was the hand of his biological father, who had given him life but little else; the other was the hand of his stepfather, who had raised him, loved him, and shaped him into the man he had become.

Betal paused the story and asked Vikram, “Who should the boy consider his true father and offer the final rites to?”

Vikram replied without hesitation, “The businessman is his true father, for he showered the boy with love, guidance, and support, shaping him into who he is. The thief may have given him life, but the businessman gave him a future.”

Pleased with Vikram’s answer, Betal flew away once again, leaving Vikram to reflect on the story.

**Moral:** Parenthood is not just about giving life; it’s about nurturing, guiding, and loving unconditionally. A true father is one who raises a child with love and care, shaping their future with compassion and support.