A story about the life of Gandhi's grandson and the most important lesson that he learned
Gandhi's son and his family travelled from South Africa to Sevagram, Gandhi's service village. Gandhi had many followers there, and Arun, Gandhi's grandson, was jealous and did not like sharing his time with his grandfather with his many followers. On top of that, Arun felt uneasy about living up to the Gandhi name. He was afraid of failing and was unsure about what the future would hold.
As everyone was silent and still during prayer, Arun was fidgety and couldn't help but to think about the life that he had left back home. He had grown up idolizing John Wayne and loved movies. He had electricity and played games like bank robbers and sheriff, but not here. This new way of life was not something he wanted to get used to, and it made him upset.
Several weeks after arriving at Sevagram, Arun's grandfather asked him to take a walk with him.They discussed Arun's life and the cruelty of being separated by race in South Africa. Eventually, his grandfather asked him how he was adjusting to life at Sevagram. Arun was honest and told him how the other kids teased him and that his tutor thought he was useless. He explained that he tried hard, but it was not enough. His grandfather responded by telling him to give it time and that he had faith in him.
That evening, Arun played soccer and was shoved down by an older boy, going after the ball. Rage took over, and Arun shouted at him and grabbed a rock that was intended to be thrown at the boy. Everyone stared at him, and his uneasy feelings were given life. How could someone so quick to anger be a Gandhi? He dropped the rock and ran to his grandfather's hut.
Arun told his grandfather everything that happened and how ashamed he was. He said that he would never live up to the Gandhi name, and he would never be at peace. His grandfather explained that everyone feels anger sometimes and then told him a story. The story was about using one's anger instead of it using them. Grandfather had not told Arun that he was wrong, and he was right.
He hadn't told him that he was foolish. He just directed Arun in the way that would bring him peace. From that time forward, Arun chose to channel his anger into being productive and bringing peace. He did his best to live like his grandfather by living his life like a light.