"Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked. 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.
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