Food for Thought Article Abstract

In a colony in the city, there were three neighbors who were living there since many years but would never interact with each other or even smile at each other. The reason being each one of them was from a different religion. One was a Hindu, another a Muslim and the third a Christian. They never even acknowledged the existence of the others. They were always busy in their own lives. They celebrated their respective festivals and events. Even if one of them was in trouble, the other would not bother looking at him. They had three children each who were going to the same school.

Thought the children were in the same school and same class, the indifference of the elders had crept in them as well and they never used to interact with each other. They would mingle with their own group of friends. They traveled in their own cycles.

One day, when the teacher was not around, there was a small discussion in the class as to who is greater, Allah or Ram or Jesus. Unfortunately, the discussion grew into a big fight and slowly it turned into an ugly phase. The three children, Siddharth, Salim and Samuel got involved and talked bad about the other religions. They pitted out the hatred for each other. The other students in the class slowly withdrew from this and finally, it was only the three of them who were accusing each other and trying to say that their God and their religion was greater.

This entire discussion was witnessed by the teacher, who was hiding behind the door. When she entered the class, all the students ran away and sat back on their seats. Then t he teacher called t he three kids to her. She calmed them down and asked them whose God is greater. The three shouted in chorus my God. Then she asked each of them what do you call your God. Ram said Siddharth, Allah said Salim and Jesus Christ said Samuel. Then she asked what do you call your father. Baba said Siddharth, Abba said Salim and Pappa said Samuel. Surprisingly, all sounded more or less the same.

The teacher asked them what was the difference, they were confused, she then asked them what was the difference in the way each of them were calling their father. Has the relationship changed? Has the love changed? They said No. The teacher smiled and then asked, which way of calling is greater? Is it Appa, Abba or Pappa. The children were speechless.

The teacher then explained to them that each of us have different ways of calling our God and praying to him. But, the love and relation which we share is the same. The hindus call their God Ram and the Muslim, Allah and Christians Jesus, but they are all the same. The only difference is the way in which we call them. No one is greater than the other. They are all different names of the same person.

The children realized their mistakes and apologized to each other. Since then, they respected each other and became very good friends. They would go home together and share their things. Soon, the parents also started talking to each other and in a few months time, they were the best of friends in the neighborhood. They would participat in each others functions, festivals and sorrows.

Allah, Ram and Jesus are all the same no one is greater or smaller. We all should realize this fact and learn to respect one another and learn to live in unity and harmony.