1. This story begins when i was a child. I was born the son of a poor family. We often lacked enough food. When it was time eat, mother often gave me her share. saying "Eat this rice, son. I am not hungry"
That was Mother’s First Lie
2. When I was growing up, my persistent mother would fish in a river near our home. She hoped to catch fish that would give me more nutrition than rice. She would make fish soup from those she caught. I always had an appetite for it. While I was eating my soup, mother would sit by my side and nibble on the small pieces of fish remaining on the bones. My heart was touched. When I tried to give her some of my fish, she would refuse, saying “Eat the fish, son. I really don’t like them.”
That was Mother’s Second Lie.
3. Then, when I was in Junior High School, to pay for my school costs, Mother would find small jobs to earn money to pay for them, and to provide for our needs. When winter came, and I would go to bed earlier, I’d waken from my sleep to see my Mother still working on the small projects that earned the money we needed. I’d say, “Mother, go to sleep. It’s late. Tomorrow morning you still must go for more work. You need to rest.” Mother would smile and say, “Go to sleep, dear. I’m not tired.”
That was Mother’s Third Lie.
4. At the time of my final term in school, Mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me when I took my final tests. She stood in the heat of the sun, patient as always, waiting for the bell to ring signalling that the tests were over. Mother immediately welcomed me, pouring me a cold glass of tea that she had prepared the evening before. I would say, though, that the tea wasn’t as sweet as my Mother’s love. Seeing her covered with persperation, I’d offer her my tea to drink. She’d say, “Drink, son; I am not thirsty!”
That was Mother’s Fourth Lie.
5. After my father died because of a long illness, my poor mother had to play her role as a single parent. By holding onto her only job, she paid for our needs alone. Father”s death made our life more complicated. There were no times when we had no problems. There was a nice uncle who lived nearby who helped when he could. Our neighbors saw that our family’s life was miserable, and suggested that mother remarry. But she was stubbofrn and said, “I don’t need love.”
That was Mother’s Fifth Lie.
6. After I had finished my study and got a job, it was time for my mother to retire. But she didn’t want to. She was persistent to go to the marketplace every morning, just to sell some vegetable to fulfill our needs. I, who worked in the other city, often sent her some money to help; but she was stubborn and wouldn’t accept the money. She even sent it back to me. She said, “I have enough money.”
That was Mother’s Sixth Lie.
7. After I graduated from university with my Bachelor Degree, I continued my studies to earn my Master Degree. My studies were funded by a company that had a scholarship program. The degree was from a famous university in America. After my degree, I began working for that company, receiving quite a large salary. I intended to bring my mother to enjoy her remaining life in America . But my lovely mother didn’t want to bother her son. She said to me. “I am not used to change. Thank you, no!”
That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.
8. After entering old age, Mother got cancer and had to be hospitalized. Though I was miles and an ocean away, I returned home to be with my Mother. She had an operation that left her weak. She looked so old and tired. Even though she was, she tried to smile and show her love for me. It was clear to me that even smiling was difficult because of the pain. Her body was so ravaged by the cancer. She was weak and thin. I looked at my Mother with tears streaming down my cheeks. My heart was so broken seeing her in her sad condition. But my dearest Mother, despite her impossible condition said so lovingly to me, “Don’t cry, my dear. I am not in pain.”
That was Mother’s Eighth Lie.
