“Aai, what should I do? Until now, you have always shown me the way. Now, too, you must guide me,” Shyam said to his mother with longing.

Shyam returned home to Dapoli from Sakoon. He was unable to pay the school fees. He did not get a fee waiver either. What was once possible had now changed. People still thought, “Shyam is a boy from a wealthy family.” But who knew that he had become poor? Whenever he tried to explain this to the teacher, the other children would laugh at him. Shyam could not figure out what to do, and so he came home to ask his mother for advice. His mother told him to leave school.

Yet, in Shyam’s heart, the desire to study further still burned. He had passed his ninth standard, thanks to his mother. He asked her a heartfelt question—

“Aai, at this young age, is it right for me to leave school? What should I do?”

“You have a brother to look after, and you are old enough to work. If you keep studying, it will cost money. So, it is better to leave school and find a job,” his mother explained gently.

“Aai, must I really take up a job right now? I long to study more. I want to go far in life. I want to bring you happiness. How will that be possible if I start working now?” Shyam said, his voice tinged with complaint.

“Shyam, what worth remains in the pride of the poor? The poor must learn to endure and make do,” said Mother.

“Mother, do you think I will become great? Do you see anything bad in me?” asked Shyam.

“A son must strive to become great. But he should not cause his father hardship. When you cannot depend on anyone else, you must learn to stand on your own feet,” Mother explained clearly.

After saying this, Mother showed Shyam the path he should take. She advised him, “Shyam, Dhruva left everything behind and went into the forest. In the same way, you too must leave home and go. Strive for knowledge as Dhruva did, endure hardships for learning. Nothing is gained without effort. If you learn to stand on your own feet, then bear whatever hardships come your way. Acquire knowledge, become learned, and return home as a scholar. Our blessings are with you. As long as I live, my heart will remain with you. What more can I say beyond this?”

“Mother, should I really go? You have understood what is in my heart. I have heard that in the Aundh State, it costs less to study. There, one can learn by begging for alms. You have already instilled in me the habit of working. In that strange town, I will have no one of my own. Should I go, then?” Shyam asked his mother.

“There is no shame if a student learns by seeking alms. There is no sin in begging when there is no