The Distressed Farmer: Faith Amid the Darkest Fears

 .**2003**

The month of hot *loos* still arrives with some respite for the farmers because, by now, they are almost over with the backbreaking hard work of harvesting.

But things were altogether different for this farmer, who looked sullen, dejected, worn out, even though he had good crops and earned reasonably well with his thresher and tractor.

The season was the reason. The reason was the tumour raising its perilous dome. How those cells go on a warpath of unchecked growth, we don't know.

It grew by the side of his neck, below the left ear.

For his recovery, I should come to the present tense, for writing in the past tense appears a sin, considering the situation he is in and the type of person he is.

He is a good human being in his early forties, of dark colour, decent features, medium height and nice build.

But now a part of his body appears to have revolted against him. Like the merciless, non-discriminating swipe of nature, this accidental interjection by Mother Nature seems to be swiping away all these niceties.

He came to me, his whole being almost shaking for fear of that cruel word, with the report. Initial tests show that the doctors fear it to be a malignant tumour. Now they have taken a syringe full of fluid from the affected part, whose result will be known in about a week.

I do pray for him.

I can well understand his position during this period, when the darkest of thoughts will plague him, when some flashes of pure faith will try to lift him off the abysmal pit of fear.

Thank God we have at least this thing called faith, which can provide anchorage to the storm-tossed ship.