In a quiet village outside Lucknow, whispers spread fast: Mrs. Savitri Devi — a kind widow — had been cast out by the very son she had raised as her own.
Some neighbors pitied her. Others cursed the boy. Many simply shook their heads in disbelief.
For illustration purposes only
Years ago, Savitri had found an abandoned baby at the temple gates. After her husband, Om Prakash, passed away early, she took the child in and named him Karan.
The villagers called him her blessing, admiring her sacrifice. She dreamed he would grow up strong, wise, and successful.
But as Karan grew older, ambition hardened him. With wealthy friends and a career in Gurugram, he began mocking his village — and yelling at his mother.
When he remodeled her little home and registered it in his own name, she stayed silent. She thought ambition was admirable.
Then, one stormy night, the mask slipped. Neighbors overheard his voice echoing through the rain:
“Mom, get out! This is my house. I’m done with you meddling in my life!”
Savitri trembled, clutched an old canvas bag, and stepped into the storm. Her home — once full of laughter — now felt lifeless.
Villagers whispered, “Ungrateful boy.” None of them knew that inside her torn bag were papers and accounts revealing a hidden fortune worth ₹230 crore.
A Mother’s Secret
No one had guessed the truth. Behind her humble life, Savitri had quietly invested in land when prices were low and traded timber in her youth.
Her wealth grew, but she never flaunted it. She cooked modest meals, wore old saris, and hid gold bars inside shrine boxes and rice pots. To the world, she was a poor widow.
This is for Karan, she always thought. I endured pain so he wouldn’t.
But his arrogance broke her heart. He had once wasted the seed money she gave him on parties. Since then, she waited for the right time to pass on her fortune — but that moment never came.
Instead, she left her home carrying only a few coins and her secret accounts.
Rumors and Regrets
“The house and land are mine now,” Karan bragged to friends. “I can finally live the life I want.”
But pride has a way of crumbling.
In Lucknow, Savitri found shelter with an old friend. A few days later, she entered a bank, deposited over ₹200 crore, and established a trust for orphans.
“If Karan couldn’t learn gratitude,” she thought, “maybe other children still can.”
When Karan learned the truth, he was shattered. He had despised the “poor mother” — not knowing she was richer than anyone he knew.
He went to see her. She looked into his eyes and said softly:
“Money can be earned again. But once a mother’s love is lost, no one can buy it back.”
For illustration purposes only
The words cut deeper than any scolding. For the first time in years, Karan broke down, realizing he had thrown away the only person who truly loved him.
Lessons in Love and Loss
Savitri forgave slowly — the wound ran deep. She moved to a small house on the city’s outskirts, spending her days reading, tending her garden, and lighting incense for her late husband each night.
She kept only a small portion of her money for herself, leaving most to the orphan trust.
While Karan was consumed by regret, the villagers marveled at her grace. He tried to visit often — bringing flowers, standing outside her gate for hours — but Savitri avoided him.
Not out of hate, but to show that love cannot be bought back with late offerings.
Slowly, regret transformed Karan. He abandoned parties, worked hard, and lived simply. Friends were surprised by his change — but he knew the truth: he had lost his mother’s trust, and that was the greatest loss of all.
A Fragile Reconciliation
Months later, one cold evening, Karan returned to her door — empty-handed, but sincere.
Savitri opened it. Their tear-filled eyes met.
No words. No embrace. Just silence.
But in that silence, for the first time, there was peace.
My parents had always believed they were untouchable. My father, Thomas Caldwell, was a well-known contractor in our quiet Ohio town — the kind of man people trusted...
I took in my mother-in-law and cared for her for eight years—eight long years of doctor’s appointments, special meals, sleepless nights, and constant worry. All that time, her...
My parents spent $60,000 on my sister’s wedding three years ago. When I got engaged last year, I naturally assumed they’d help me out the same way. Instead,...