Page 11 - Good News November 2008 paper

“May I see my baby?” the with the family physician. Can
happy new mother asked. nothing be done? “I believe we
When the bundle was nes- could graft on a pair of outer ears
tled in her arms and she if they could be procured,” the
moved the fold of cloth to doctor said. Whereupon the
look upon his tiny face, she search began for a person who
gasped. The doctor quickly would be willing to make such a
turned and looked out the sacrifice for a young boy. Two
large hospital window. The years went by.
baby had been born without Then, “You are going to hospital,
external ears… son. Mother and I have someone
who is willing to donate the outer
owever, time proved ears you need. But the donor’s
that the baby’s hearing identity is a secret,” said his
Hwas perfect. It was only father. The operation was a
his appearance that was resounding success, and a new
marred. When he rushed home person emerged!
from school one day and flung His talents blossomed into
himself into his mother’s arms, genius, and school and college raised the long, thick, reddish-
she sighed, knowing that his became a series of triumphs. brown hair to reveal that his
life was to be a succession of Later he married and entered the mother had no outer ears…
heartbreaks. He blurted out the diplomatic service. “But I must “Mother said she was glad she
tragedy: “A boy, a big boy… know!” he urged his father. never let her hair be cut short,”
called me a freak.” “Who gave so much for me? I he whispered gently, “and
He grew up, handsome, except could never do enough for him.” nobody ever thought mother
for his misfortune. A favourite “I do not believe you could,” less beautiful, did they?”
with his fellow-students, he agreed the father, “but the Real beauty lies not in the
might have been a class agreement was that you are not physical appearance, but in the
prefect, but for this deformity. to know… not yet.” heart.
He developed a gift, a talent for The years kept their profound Real treasure lies not in what
literature and music. “You secret, but the day did come… can be seen, but in what cannot
might mingle with other young one of the darkest days that ever be seen.
people,” his mother reproved passed by a son. He stood with Real love lies not in what is
him, but she felt a tenderness his father at his mother’s casket. done and known, but in what is
in her heart. Slowly, tenderly, the father done, but not known.
The boy’s father had a session stretched forth a hand and [Dunamis, Jan./Feb. 2002]