When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she
moved the fold of the 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 with-
out 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 doctor.
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?" |