Ram Prasad was 62 years old. He had stooped shoulders, gray hair, and deep wrinkles on his face. He had spent 35 years of his life in a single company. The hum of machines from morning to evening, sweat-soaked clothes, and the exhaustion of hard work were his world. People in the factory called him Ram Bhaiya. Everyone considered him trustworthy. He would often tell his colleagues, “I’ll start receiving my pension now. I can live on that support. Son, you’ve become a big man now. That’s my support.” But life often doesn’t turn out as one imagines. Ram Prasad’s life was very simple.

His daily routine consisted of sitting at the neighborhood tea stall in the morning, drinking ginger tea with old friends, and reading the newspaper. A dhoti and a simple kurta, old slippers on his feet, and a leather bag slung over his shoulder. This was his identity. He found the most solace in his son, Rahul. Rahul was 28 years old, an MBA graduate, and working in a large company. Now, his life consisted of cars, branded clothes, and weekend parties. Ram Prasad would often proudly say, “My son is doing things I never dreamed possible.” But things were different inside the house. Rahul’s wife, Nisha, came from a wealthy family and always lived a life of showmanship. She would often tell Rahul, “Your father is useless now. He’s retired and just lies around. There’s no need for him.” Rahul would sometimes chime in, saying, “Papa, you should understand that times have changed. Life doesn’t run on emotions alone.” Hearing this, Ram Prasad would smile and quietly say, “Son, I spent my blood and sweat on your education. Now your happiness is my happiness.” But his son was beginning to feel like a burden. The scene was starkly different. On one hand, Ram Prasad, in his simplicity, was content with his morning tea and newspaper. On the other hand, Rahul and Nisha, with expensive coffee mugs in their hands, drove around in their cars and went to parties. Neighbors would also say, “Ram Prasad’s son had prospered greatly, but the old man still lived the same old ways.” These words stung Rahul. He felt that his father’s simplicity was a stain on his modern life. Nisha also said the same thing: “Papa’s time is over. He’s just a burden.” A big meeting had been called at the company that day. The hum of the machines subsided, and all the employees gathered in the hall. Ram Prasad sat in the front row. A slight uneasiness filled his heart, but he hoped that perhaps he would receive some recognition for his hard work. A senior management official came to the podium and announced in a cool voice, “The company has suffered huge losses this year. We need to reduce expenses. Therefore, starting today, several employees are being retired. One name is Ram Prasad.” The words rang in his ears like a hammer. 35 years of loyalty had been ended in a minute. No applause, no thanks. Just a paper notice and an order. Now you have to go home.” Ram Prasad’s heart sank. He looked at management blankly, then held the retirement paper in his hand and quietly left. When he arrived home in the evening, Rahul was sitting on the sofa, using his mobile phone. He extended the paper and said, “Son, today the company has retired me. I’ll be at home now.” Rahul suddenly flared up. “That means you’ll always be a burden on us. Our lives are already difficult. Now we’ll have to take care of you too.” Ramprasad said in a trembling voice, “Son, I always thought I’d live with you in peace and old age.” But Rahul interrupted. “Now you just take care of yourself. Nisha and I aren’t responsible for feeding you.”
Ramprasad looked into his son’s eyes. There was no love there, only anger and distance. It was raining heavily at 10:00 that night. The thunder and lightning made the atmosphere even more frightening. Suddenly, Rahul picked up his father’s old bag and threw it outside. “Abba, you used to say a man should carry his own burden. Now you do the same. There’s no place to stay here.” Ramprasad stood at the door. Raindrops streamed down his face, as if the sky was crying with him. He silently picked up his bag. He bowed his head and slowly walked down the street.

His steps were heavy in the pouring rain. Passersby were looking at him, but no one came near. Someone said, “This is the same old Ram Prasad. Perhaps his son threw him out.” Someone taunted him, “What good is an old man now? Everyone depends on their children.” Ram Prasad was heartbroken. He sat down on an empty bench in the park. His clothes were completely drenched. He took out an old photo of his wife from his bag and said in a trembling voice, “Look, today I am alone. The son for whom I did everything has thrown me out of the house.” Tears kept flowing from his eyes. His stomach was hungry. His heart was even emptier. That night he did nothing.

I ate. Looking up at the sky, I thought, “I have no one now.” The morning light was slowly spreading over the city. The rain had stopped, but the streets were still wet. Ram Prasad sat on the same park bench. His clothes were still wet, his eyes puffy, and his face tired. People passing by would look away, some laughing and whispering, “It seems the old man had been lying there all night.” Ram Prasad simply hugged an old photo of his wife and sighed. Then suddenly, the street became agitated. A long convoy of black SUVs was heading in that direction. The vehicles bore company flags.

A media van was also following. People stopped, surprised. Who was coming? Such large vehicles must be some important person. The vehicles stopped outside the park. Security personnel immediately disembarked and stood around. Media members came running forward with microphones and cameras. Ram Prasad saw all this, but he thought perhaps it was a visit by a minister or a senior official. He silently bowed his head. But then a senior officer of the company walked straight towards the bench. Other officers were behind him. He saw Ram Prasad and paused for a moment. Then his eyes lit up. “Sir, we were looking for you.” The crowd was stunned. People standing nearby exchanged looks. “Is this old man calling me ‘Sir’? He’s been sitting on the park bench since last night.” The flashes of media cameras were constantly flashing. Security personnel immediately formed a circle around Ram Prasad. Ram Prasad looked at the officer in surprise. “But I’m just a retired employee.” The officer bowed his head respectfully and said, “No, sir, you’re not just a retired employee anymore. You’re the new CEO of the company. Last night, the board decided that this was the right way to honor 35 years of honesty and hard work, and we had to announce this decision in front of you all.” A sensation spread through the crowd. “Is this old man the CEO now? Oh, this is the same Ram Prasad who was retired yesterday. Now, look at the twist of fate! He was fired yesterday and put back in his position today.” Tears welled up in Ram Prasad’s eyes. The pain of last night was still fresh in his heart. But today, fate had lifted him from that pain and brought him to the sky. Meanwhile, the media began live reporting. X-Wazi Industries had made history. For the first time, a mere employee had been appointed CEO for his honesty and 35 years of dedication. And that man was Ram Prasad. The sound of televisions echoed through the neighbors’ homes. Rahul and Nisha were also sitting in their drawing room watching TV. As soon as Ram Prasad’s name and face appeared on the screen, their faces turned pale. Nisha dropped her coffee mug. “This is your father!” Rahul’s throat went dry. The man he had thrown out of the house last night had become the news of the entire city. The ground beneath his feet slipped. He began to remember his actions, and only then did he realize that the real burden was his greed and ego, not his father. A crowd had gathered outside the company headquarters. Media cameras were flashing, and security personnel were maintaining order. Everyone was eager to see the man who, until yesterday, had been considered an ordinary employee and an overlooked old man, and today he had been elevated to the position of CEO. Ram Prasad, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama, approached with a simple but humble gait. His steps were slow, but his eyes were radiant with dignity. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, the staff erupted in applause. Journalists extended their microphones. “Sir, how do you feel? What would you like to say about this achievement after so many years of hard work?” Ram Prasad paused, took a deep breath, and said, “I am the same Ram Prasad who was retired by this company yesterday, and the same one who was thrown out of the house by his son in the dark of night. But friends, today I want to say that a person’s respect is not determined by his position, but by his intentions. Money and power don’t belong to anyone, but humanity always remains.” Upon hearing his words, the entire hall erupted in applause. Just then, Rahul and Nisha came running from behind the crowd. Rahul’s face was filled with shame, his eyes brimming with tears. He fell straight in front of his father and started crying at his feet. Father, please forgive me.

I made a huge mistake. I made the father who devoted his entire life to my education homeless last night. I’m ashamed. Nisha, too, bowed her head and wept. Ram Prasad’s eyes were filled with tears, but a faint smile appeared on his lips. He placed his hand on his son’s head and said, “Son, I won’t punish you. But remember, parents are never a burden. They are the foundation. If you destroy the foundation, the house will never stand.” The crowd’s eyes welled up. Some were sobbing, others were clapping. Then, addressing everyone from the stage, he said, “I have become CEO today.

But the greatest strength of this position is the 35 years I spent working as a laborer, and this honor belongs not just to me but to every person who has lived honestly for their family and society.” The applause continued unabated. Rahul and Nisha had already fallen at their father’s feet. Ram Prasad picked them up and embraced them. But this time the hug was not from a father but from a guru who taught his son the biggest lesson of life.