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Once upon a time, in a village, there lived an elderly man called Gopalan. He was loved and respected by all in the village, as he was a virtuous man. Gopalan was childless. So, he went on a pilgrimage seeking God's Grace for a child. After a long time he was blessed with a son. Gopalan named his son, Hari. He brought him up with much love and affection. Due to undue attention by the father and bad company Hari committed innumerable wicked deeds.

In spite of his father's advice he did not change his wicked ways. Gopalan was deeply grieved by this. Hari's misdeeds led him into trouble with the people of the village. However, the villagers bore with him for the sake of the father for whom they had high regard. But, quite frequently, they complained to Gopalan about his son's behaviour. Gopalan felt very sad and prayed to God for changing his son's ways.

One day, Hari noticed that many nails had been driven into the wooden door of their house.He asked his father about it. Gopalan explained,"Every time I received a complaint against you I drove a nail into this door. All these nails have thus been driven into this door." Hari was shocked that he had committed so many misdeeds. He said to himself,"What a shame! Have I done so many misdeeds?"

He promised his father," I am going to change my behaviour. From now on, I am going to do only good deeds." His father, however, said, "It is easily said than done."

But, from that day onwards Hari was a changed person. He did only good to all. Now, the villagers, quite frequently, reported Hari's good deeds to his father. And each time the father heard a good turn done by his son he removed a nail from the door.

This went on for some time until there came the day when there was no nail left in the door. Seeing the door bereft of all the nails Hari asked his father about it. Gopalan explained the reason to the son.

But, Hari asked, "Father, though the nails have been removed by you the holes made by them are yet to be seen". The father explained,"Though today you are a reformed person and are doing a lot of good deeds, the innumerable wicked deeds that you had done in the past have left their mark in the hearts of all. These holes represent those marks left by your wicked deeds."

So, dear children, we should not do any bad deeds even playfully. Once we get caught into bad ways it is very difficult to get out of them. Even as children, we should develop devotion to God and the company of sadhus. Only these will protect us from going astray.

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