When the
bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved
the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny
face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly
and looked out the tall hospital window. The
baby had been born without ears.
Time proved
that the baby's hearing was perfect. It was
only his appearance that was marred. When he
rushed home from school one day and flung
himself into his mother's arms, she sighed,
knowing that his life was to be a succession
of heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy.
"A boy, a big boy...called me a
freak."
He grew up,
handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with
his fellow students, he might have been
class president, but for that. He developed
a gift, a talent for literature and music.
"But you might mingle with other young
people," his mother reproved him, but felt a
kindness in her heart.
The boy's
father had a session with the family
physician. Could nothing be done? " I
believe I could graft on a pair of outer
ears, if they could be procured" the doctor
decided. Whereupon the search began for a
person who would make such a sacrifice for a
young man.
Two years
went by. Then, "You are going to the
hospital, son. Mother and I have someone who
will donate the ears you need. But it's a
secret" said the father.
The operation
was a brilliant success, and a new person
emerged. His talents blossomed into genius,
and school and college became a series of
triumphs. Later he married and entered the
diplomatic service.
"But I must
know!" He urged his father. "Who gave so
much for me? I could never do enough for
him."
"I do not
believe you could," said the father, "but
the agreement was that you are not to
know...not yet."
The years
kept their profound secret, but the day did
come...one of the darkest days that ever
pass through a son. He stood with his father
over his mother's casket.
Slowly,
tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand
and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to
reveal...that the mother had no outer ears.
"Mother said
she was glad she never let her hair be cut,"
he whispered gently, "and nobody ever
thought mother less beautiful, did
they?"
