This incident happened in the state of Orissa. A devastating famine occurred there in the year 1880. There lived in a famine-stricken village a poor family – a mother and her two children. The mother used to beg food for her family. Whatever she got, she would feed her children first, then she would eat whatever was left. Several times she would go hungry as nothing would be left after feeding the scanty alms to the children.

It never rains but pours. Misfortunes never visit alone. One day the younger child died of starvation. The mother fell ill. Now the elder child had to beg for food. Whatever he got, he would feed his mother first and then eat whatever was left.

Once he could not get anything to eat for days together. Somehow he stumbled in front of a house. The master of the house said, “I have got some rice and if you eat it here, I shall give it to you.”

The boy replied with folded hands, “My mother is sick. She has not eaten anything since last week. How can I eat here without feeding her?”

The master said. “I will give you nothing to carry home.”

The boy said again, “My mother never eats anything before feeding me. Now she is sick. How can I eat without feeding her?”

The master shut the door.

The starving boy said nothing. He thought he should try again to get from the householder some food for his mother. He knocked at the door but the door was not opened.

Night fell. It went by. In the morning the passers-by saw that the boy was lying dead.

What a son! He chose to die but did not eat without feeding his mother. Look at yourself. Compare yourself with that boy. How much do you differ from him – a little or much? Are you also prepared to put your life at risk for the sake of your mother or father?