The Boy

By Sneha Gangadharan

Mikkel, where are you? Called out the mother. But Mikkel was nowhere near to see. This happens every time when a guest visits this mansion in Yorkshire. Mikkel a 9-year-old boy was the centre of attraction all the time not because he is a well-behaved boy because he was a bundle of mischiefs, arrogancy, impatience and what not. These were the phrases given to Mikkel by the people in Yorkshire. Some even said that he was pampered by his wealthy parents, that they didn’t teach their kid the manners.

Mikkel, the youngest son of Stephan and Dora, they also had Shuan,15yr and Christine,12yrs old. Stephan was the Mayor of Yorkshire and was a very respectable human being. Same with Dora, she too an educated lady but she preferred to be a homemaker so as to take care of their family and teach the kids how to be responsible. But when it came to Mikkel the entire thing went in vain. Both the couples knew that even tough entire Yorkshire gave them respect but at their back they also mocked and made fun of their upbringing because of Mikkel.

But what Mikkel do?...Mikkel was always hyperactive, he never waited for anybody at the dining table, he never had any patience and never thankful or grateful for anything or to anybody. He was unable to concentrate on his studies, in school he never sits in the classroom, most of the time he was indulge in fights with other students, hence he never had any friends. Nobody likes to be with him. He was alone all the time. But he enjoyed his own company. His complaints from school become more and more by passing of each day. Thus the parents thought to see a doctor and the thus came the result as ADHD(Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The parents were devastated. But they were not ready to give up on their son because they knew some good and hidden qualities of Mikkel. Mikkel was not that bad the way people imagined. He loved the nature, he loves to hear stories, but never able to read one due to his impatience, he loves to help others. But all these qualities tarnished.

Mikkel, where are you? Called out the mother again. This time the entire dining table shooked as if there is an earthquake and suddenly all the guests panicked and got up from their seats. It was a shock to Stephan and Dora because they knew it was all done by Mikkel who was hiding under the table all the time and they were unaware of it. As soon Mikkel came out, Dora gave him a tight slap on his face that even the guests felt bad for the boy even though none of them liked him. Stephan was watching everything in embarrassment. He didn’t know what to do at that moment. The guests

Were very well-known government officials of Yorkshire and on the other side his own son, who brought such a shame to his family. Mikkel left the place and went to his room sobbing. Dora too felt sad for what she did to Mikkel. After the guests left, Stephan and Dora took a decision to do something for Mikkel so that this incident never occur again.

Stephan went to Mikkel’s room and found him sitting alone and sobbing, this made his heart broken into many pieces. He went near to Mikkel and hugged him. He asked Mikkel to go for a walk with him. Mikkel agreed as he always loved the nature. The father and son walking in silent as if both were lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly Mikkel said “I am sorry father, for what I did today. I never do this intentionally. It just happens”. Hearing this Stephan felt really bad for his son. Stephan said” that’s fine Mikkel, you have realised your mistake, but it’s not why I asked you to come for a walk”. Mikkel looked at his father in surprise and asked “then what is it father, I thought you want to lecture me on my behaviour as always you used to do”.

Stephan said “Not at all, actually I want tell you one story I recently read, thought you might like it, as you too love the stories”. Mikkel was happy and said “yes father, I would love to hear that. At that time Stephan said “I will tell you the story but there is one condition. You have to promise me that you will do accordingly what I say. No questions from your side till the story ends. Once the story is finished you can ask your doubts or any question regarding the story”. Mikkel said “yes” without any second thought because whenever his parents told him a story, they made it clear that each and every word is clear for him. So, nothing new this time. Stephan started narrating the story and Mikkel was listening to it very carefully as always. The story was so interesting that Mikkel didn’t realise first when his father suddenly stopped the narration. He looked at his father and asked “Why did you stop father; it is very interesting to hear”. Stephan replied “Son, the rest will continue tomorrow, come to my study at 8pm”. Mikkel grew impatient but as he promised his father previously, he cannot argue with him more. He said ”ok” and with that father and son went back to the mansion.

The next day Mikkel was eagerly waiting for 8pm when his father will narrate the rest of the story. By the passing of each and every minute and each and every second the impatience in Mikkel grew. That was evident in his action through out the day as Dora kept a close watch upon him. In the evening when as soon as the clock struck 8 Mikkel went to the study, that was the first time when he entered that part of the mansion, he was surprised at first seeing the library and the number of books that has been kept there in each shelf, there his father was already reading something. Stephen looked at his son. Mikkel “Father, yesterday you have asked me to come to the study at 8, for the remaining story”. Stephan said “Of course, I do remember, the next part of the story is kept there under the paper weight, you can read it by yourself. If you want you can even sit in this study and read”. Mikkel was not expecting this. But as promised he was not supposed to question. So he came near to the huge study table made of fine Oak wood and to his wonder there was only one paper kept under the paper weight. He took it out and looked at his father. Stephan knew what is going inside Mikkel, so he continued “Son, yesterday there is this thing I forgot to tell you that, you will get every day a page of this story book under the same paper weight, and thus you can read and complete the entire story”. This made Mikkel a little bit sad and impatient, but somehow, he managed to say “that’s fine father, I will wait for it”. And thus, this becomes a routine. Everyday at 8 Mikkel come to his father’s study and get the next page under the paper weight. This becomes a daily habit for Mikkel.

After a month of this ritual the parents started observing some changes in Mikkel. He become more responsible, he started waiting for others to join at the dining table, he started reading more, attended the classes regularly and started showing patience. He can now sit in a place for long without any hassle. The parents were happy now, but still, they want to make sure that this change is for ever. After a month it was Mikkel’s 10th birthday. So they planned to celebrate it as they always do by inviting all the elites of Yorkshire. But this time they knew it would be different from the previous birthdays.

As the days passed and the birthday was near, Stephan and Dory sent the invitations. Those who received the invitations were doesn’t want to go to the party as they all have so much of past bitter experiences but because Stephan was the Mayor, they cannot turn down the invitation. They have witnessed how Mikkel never had the patience even to wait for the guest to come so as to cut the cake and also opens all the gifts as if someone will take away those from him. The whole party of Mikkel’s birthday was a huge mess. And this time too it will be the same.

Stephan and Dory called Mikkel and told him about his upcoming birthday party. They asked what gift he would like to have. Mikkel didn’t thought for a single second and replied “Dear Parent’s thank you for organising such a lovely event for me. I would love to have this book which I am reading every day. I want to see how it look like in whole”. This was a huge pleasant shock for Stephan and Dory as the never thought that they can see such a huge change in their son.

Today is Mikkel’s birthday and the entire mansion is decorated as if it is Christmas. Guests started coming. Music was on. People started to have drink and they were eating and chatting. The entire ambience was mesmerising for all as they have noticed that something is different this time. They saw Mikkel sitting in the stage which was specially decorated for the birthday boy, he was in a black blazer, and this time he is not throwing any tantrums. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing. Each one of them went to him and wished by giving the gifts and to their surprise he thanked them in return with a smile and a shake hand. This time he didn’t opened his gift, instead he kept it aside. Later in the evening when all the guests left. Mikkel went where the presents where kept. He took the gift given by Stephan and Dory, the book which he was reading every day and there were few pages left for the end of the story. He took the present and went to his room. Stephen and Dory saw this and thought to peek in the room to see what Mikkel will do. If he goes page by page or read the last page directly to know the climax.

Mikkel was sitting in his bed holding the gift. He was staring at the present as if something precious was inside it. He then unwrapped the gift slowly and took out the book. He touched the cover page and opened the page where he left last day and started reading, only four pages were left for the end. He read it completely and kept the book aside. Stephan and Dory felt the tears of joy. They came to the room and sat near to him. Stephan asked” Son, did you like your present?”. Mikkel looked at his father with teary eyes and hugged him saying “Thank you father, for this wonderful present of making me a new person, today I can see the love and respect in everyone’s eyes for me. It happened only because of you”.

Years later Mikkel become the Mayor of Yorkshire and worked dedicatedly as his father. He was loved and respected by everyone. He also extended his social service in other parts of England. Who knew that someday the boy who had been once a mess will become successful in his life.

By Sneha Gangadharan