Viola And Lee Ann

Lee Ann was the only child. She never ever got to see her parents and wondered who they were. Since small she was brought up by a lady with a disfigured face and horrible skin. The lady's name was Viola. The people in the village did not like to be around Viola due to her hideous appearance. Viola was treated as an outcast. They lived in a small house that has two rooms. Lee Ann stayed in the bigger room while Viola stayed in the smaller room.

As Lee Ann grew up, she became more and more beautiful. Soon, she became the most beautiful girl in school.

Everyday at school, Viola would wait at the school gate for Lee Ann. However, Lee Ann despised Viola. The reason was that Lee Ann was the most beautiful girl in school and Viola's company may spoil her image as the most beautiful student. Lee Ann would try ways and means to avoid Viola.

Then it happened...

It was raining. Viola waited outside the school for Lee Ann under the heavy rain. She saw Lee Ann walking out with her group of friends and approached her.

Lee Ann: So are we going out later?

Friend A: Look! Who's that?

Lee Ann saw Viola and turned angry. She had told Viola before to stop waiting for her but apparently, Viola did not listen. Lee Ann walked quickly to Viola's side and talked to her.

Viola: Lee Ann, take an umbrella. I brought one for you to keep you dry.

Lee Ann: What are you doing? Don't you know that I am the most beautiful girl in school?

Viola: Yes...I know that. You are beautiful.

Lee Ann: Then can you please stop waiting for me? What would my friends say if they see me with you?

Viola: ...

Lee Ann: Don't you know that you look terrible?

Viola: ...

Then one of Lee Ann's friends walked over to Lee Ann.

Friend A: Hey, who's that?

Lee Ann: Ah...don't bother about her...she's just some ugly maid my parents employed to take care of me.

Friend A: I see. It's raining heavily...why don't we use my umbrella? It's big enough for the two of us.

Lee Ann: That's a good idea.

With that Lee Ann walked away with her friend leaving Viola behind under the heavy rain with two umbrellas. What Lee Ann did not notice was the tears that rolled down Viola's cheeks in the midst of the heavy rain.

When Lee Ann came back, Viola approached her.

Viola: I am sorry that I made you angry today.

Lee Ann: Well what did you expect? I told you to stop coming and you never listen!

Viola: Lee Ann, are you free?

Lee Ann: Not really. Why?

Viola: I have something to show you.

Lee Ann: Argh...okay...okay...but be quick.

Viola: Please wait here.

Lee Ann waited at the living room while Viola entered her small room.

Lee Ann: Are you done yet? I am busy you know!

Viola walked out of her room with a small wooden box towards Lee Ann and opened the wooden box.

Viola: Lee Ann, take a look at this photo.

Lee Ann: Is this...

Viola: Yes...she is your mother.

Lee Ann: She looks beautiful...she looks just like me.

Viola: Yes...she is beautiful just like you...and her face is similar to yours.

Lee Ann: Well, what are you waiting for? Tell me where she is now! I want to be with her instead of you!

Viola: It happened a long time ago in this village. You were young then. There was this lady who went to the market. As she bought food for her child, her neighbor went around and shouted "Fire! Fire!". The lady immediately asked the man where the fire was and the neighbor told her that the fire was at her house. Hearing this, the lady immediately dropped her bag and went back home because she realized that her child was alone at home. When she reached the place, the house was burning. She tried to rush in but her neighbors restrained her. However, seeing that no one was able to save her child inside, she found the strength to break her way through the human barrier and ran into the house.

Viola: She could hear the cries of her child. Immediately, she rushed through the fire to the child's room. As she made her way to the child's room, the fire around burnt her skin. Then she saw the child crying in the crib amidst the fire. The lady immediately ran to the crib and took her child and ran to the nearest exit. However, she did not notice the dangling lamp above. It fell and cut her face. Nevertheless, the pain was negligible in the midst of the fire and her child's cries. The child's safety was more important. She emerged from the burning house with badly burnt skin and a bleeding face. However, the most important thing to her then was her child.

Lee Ann: You mean...

Viola: That lady used to be the most beautiful woman in the village.

Lee Ann: ...

Viola: That lady is your mother.

Lee Ann: ...

Viola: That lady's name is Viola.

At this point of time, Lee Ann cried. She didn't realize that the mother she so longed to see has always been at her side. She took the photo and looked at Viola. Lee Ann realized that behind the scars and burns on the lady in front of her was a beautiful woman, just like the one in the photo.

Viola: I am sorry Lee Ann...I did not tell you earlier as I did not want you to live with the fact that your mother is a hideous looking woman with scars and burns on her body. I knew you would grow up to be beautiful and...

Before Viola could continue, Lee Ann hugged her and cried...

Lee Ann: Mum...I am sorry...please forgive me...

That moment was the very first time Lee Ann ever addressed Viola as "mum". Viola shed tears...tears of joy...and hugged her daughter Lee Ann. A mother had found acceptance and her daughter had found her mother. It was a joyous moment shared by a mother and her daughter.

And that day was Mother's Day.

(This is a Mother's Day Story I thought of during the week. It is a tribute to all mothers out there. Happy Mothers Day. I hope that you will appreciate the love and concern your mother has shown you through your life.)