Our Bapu - Mahatma Gandhi

Our Bapu
him, Hari. but you have hardly understood him, I fear. Let me tell you
something about him. You may be surprised to know that as from you or from
any other common child. But as he grew up, he strove to reach the heights of
greatness. By love and service alone he became a saint as great as Gautama
Buddha. 2 Our country has never had a truer servant, yet he was its uncrowned
king as well. He reigned over the hearts of over four hundred million men and
women. And men and women not merely bowed before him and paid him
homage, they loved him from the bottom of their hearts. From the richest man
in the country to the poorest beggar, everyone looked upon Gandhi as a father,
and called him Bapu. 3 For his heart grieved with others in their sorrow and
rejoiced with them in their happiness. His love of the poor was boundless. In
fact, he himself lived like any other poor man in the country, wearing only a
khadi 4 dhoti 5 and a khadi chadar. 6 He drank goat's milk and lived on boiled
vegetables. He was, indeed, a very great saint."
"And, mother, how fond Gandhi was of little children! How he used to joke with
them, and talk to them, and take them out for long walks! In the company of
children, he would himself become a child. Mother dear, do tell me the life-
story of Gandhi-the whole story."
"Very well, my son. I shall try to tell you something of the story of Bapu's life. I
am not working today in the kitchen, for who can think of a meal to-night ?
Your father has gone to our neighbor's house to listen in to the radio for more
news. In the meantime, I shall tell you the story of Bapu's life."
And then Hari's mother began to narrate the life-story of Bapu.
1. A water pipe smoked in the East.
2. Great Indian prophet who preached love and non-violence
3. An affectionate term meaning father.
4. Hand-spun and hand-woven cloth.
5. A long piece of cloth which many Indians wear instead of trousers
6. A shawl wrapped round the shoulders.
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