The Sobering Thought Poem by NAYYAR SHABBIR AHMAD

My Grandfather's residence was called "Journey's End." Spending
time in it was a constant thrill to me. It was situated atop a hill and
hidden away from view by a forest of trees. It had a hundred and
two spectacular rooms overlooking a breath taking clear blue sea

I was aged thirteen when Grandfather died and from that day on
my Father never spoke to his Brother.They fell out very openly
over property and things I couldn't fathom. Uncle was given the
bulk of the Estate and we weren't any longer welcome to visit it.

What angered Father was the fact that he had worked very hard
to see that all the Familys Estate stayed intact. But in the end
the real sting was that most of it was left to his sibling, while all
he got was the Hunting Lodge at the far end of the Property.


"I'm only following the letter of the Law, " excused my Uncle.
"The older son inherits the bulk of the Estate, " said he. "But,
you can make some consessions-at your discression, " argu-
ed Abba. But, Uncle had no hesitation in catagorically refusing.

"Doesn't matter, " consoled my Mother. "Just count your
blessings...He'll never have the wealth that you have. And,
what Abba had was four strapping lads, whilst all my Uncle
could rely on was wine, women and song...how very droll! !

We weren't well off, but according to Ma's criteria-we were
rich - beyond measure. My father had to work very hard but
we had each other to lean on..."and that, in the end, " Ma
said, " was all that mattered." Meanwhile, Uncle enjoyed life.

Though he knew we had no money. He never offered us any.
Not that my Father would have accepted anything from him.
Abba was far too dignified for that-and he had his pride. Only,
I wasn't averse to lurking around my beloved ancestral home

This - despite the fact that I had been forbidden from doing so
by my Father. My Uncle saw me on several occasions but he
never acknowledged my presence or invited me into his home.
Sad, but true. It was as though we were strangers to each other.

Yes, Uncle was rolling in the green stuff.. Each month, he gave
lavish parties to which he invited the cream of society. The loud
sound of music and chatter emanated from his place at all hours.
He loved women. I hear, there was quite a wide variety of them.

But, none of them stayed long - so said his servants, anyway!
Two years at the most. Often, far less. But while times were
good the music played on regardless of the fact that any
shine there was to his life, was no guideline to his popularity

"Nothing lasts forever, " said my Mother. "Sooner or later, he's
going to wake up and find that he's lived a wasted life." My
Abba agreed. "He'll soon see that while some of us have been
making an honest day's living he was busy doing - other things."

Gradually the lights didn't burn that bright late into the night at
Uncles, anymore. The music faded and died away, too. But,
whatever happened to his many friends-women-acquaintances?
All seemed to have faded away. The place had fallen very quiet

Many years later, I drove down to the Hunting Lodge for one of
my frequent reunions with my Parents. My brothers and their
families were also there. All of us were in a confined space. But,
we didn't care. The more the merrier - we would always say.

Admist this cheerful atmosphere arrived the figure of my Uncle.
Imagine, just how startled we were. He was a lonely old man,
now. But, my Parents refused to see him...Although, he had
come to make his peace with them. I was left to entertain him.


I didn't really mind. I had begun to feel sorry for him.The contrast
between my father and his brother's present situations couldn't
have been starker. Uncle was witness to the fact that whereas
Abba's life was enveloped in warmth and love. His wasn't.

When Uncle died - I know not why he left his Estate to me. It
could have been because I was the only member of my family
who had been kind to him when last we'd met. I'll never know.
Anyway, whatever it was, I couldn't believe my good fortune.

When taking over "Journey's End, " my family and I decided to
walk up it's hill. As we did so a van hurtled down towards us
and nearly ran over my son. Had I not pushed him aside, then
no amount of money would have been able to console me.