The New Mother (a parable)

The New Mother

Once upon a time, it so happened to be, that a man found himself father to several children but was without a wife to be their mother. His family would tell you that he cared for his children, but, being so busy with his other affairs of business, the children were often left in the care of family members who might have the time and resources to care for them properly. The father was an excellent orator and would speak of truth and divine wisdom. He could speak a truth such that it would make a witch want to turn in her broom. By way of his spectacular speeches, his family was certainly convinced that he was doing what was good and right and that his every intention was pure.

Well it happened one day that the children and some of the family came to meet a young lady with whom they and the children were quite taken. The young lady, as well, found herself taken to the children and had it in her mind that she would like to get to know them better. The family, who had been caring for the children, recognized this as a great opportunity and quickly acted upon it. They told the father of this young lady and her wonderful ways with the children and begged that he consider taking her for his wife that it might be of most benefit to the children to have such a great woman as their mother (which, up until this time, they never had). The father was reluctant and with his knowledge and wisdom, attempted to dissuade the others from this idea. All of his speaking was in vain, however, for her qualities were indisputable and they pressed ever greatly that she become the mother to his children. The father was overtaken by their persistence and, with great hesitation, he accepted.

The proposal was brought before the young woman and, not knowing much about the children’s father, but being so much in love with the idea of being mother to these wonderful children, she gladly accepted. After all, she thought, if the children were as wonderful as they were, certainly the father of such delightful children would be equally as delightful. All the arrangements were made and the children now had a wonderful mother to call their very own.

Many years passed and the relationship between the new mother and the children grew ever strong. It was inconceivable to the children of anyone else filling her shoes and equally inconceivable to her to have any others as her children. She was to them every bit their mother and they all loved each other very much. It happened one day, however, when some of the family members who also had grown quite fond of the young lady noticed that she was showing some signs of illness. Some of the children had also taken notice of this, but the young lady would, would only laugh and refer to such talk as utter nonsense. And she was pleasantly able to keep up this appearance, too -- for a while.

Then came the tragic day when her illness came upon her quite severely. For most of the family and certainly all the children, this was a surprise and a shock to them. Soon after taking ill, she became incapable of caring for the children and they were again left in the care of the extended family. The children would be allowed, at times, to visit with their mother, but they could no longer enjoy time with her as they once had. This, of course, greatly saddened the children as well as it did their mother as she would no longer be able to be the mother to them that they deserved and so much needed.

She never did speak of her illness to anyone, but it became known to the family many years after her passing. …

The man, who had taken her as his wife, was no better a husband than he was a father. If he was inattentive to his children, then he was ten times as much to his wife and if he was harsh with his children, he was ten times as so with harshness to his wife. Though she was kind and loving and gave all she had to give to her children, there was no one taking care of her. She never knew the proper relationship of husband and wife and the reluctance he had had with their relationship from the start, turned to a lasting resentment towards his new wife and was thus a source of great secret pain for her. He and he alone had brought the illness upon her and she, never wanting to plant despair into the hearts of the children (as you cant choose your father) and in not wanting to destroy any good image his family members may have had of him, never spoke of this great injustice. Their father had been given the greatest gift and in his pride and hatred, he destroyed it and it was everyone else who truly suffered the loss.

(tg/JAN08)