The Telegram

One day Vallabhbhai had to appear in a very important case. He was arguing before the judge with the almost concentration. He was still on his feet when an urgent telegram was handed to him. He glanced at the contents and folded and put the paper in his pocket, and went on with the argument. It was only after he concluded his speech and sat down that even those near him learnt the contents of the telegram - his wife was dead!Vallabhbhai had read the news -and had gone on with his arguments as if nothing had happened. Such was his sense of duty. All through his life, troubles never discouraged him. With a will of iron he completed whatever task he had under taken.Patel was only thirty-three years old when his wife died. He did not wish to marry again.

After his brothers return, Vallabhbhai went to England. He studied with single-minded devotion. The glitter and luxury of fashionable life did not tempt him. The library was at a distance of eleven miles from his lodging. Every morning he walked to the library, and walked back in the evening. He stood first in the Barrister-at-Law Examination.As soon as he returned to India, Vallabhbhai set up practice as a barrister at Ahmedabad. Day by day his fame and his influence grew. The elder brother, Vithalbhai, said, You look after the family; I shall work, for the country. Yes, said Vallabhbhai. At the time he was earning eight to ten thousand rupees a month. He spent his leisure hours playing cards in a local club. He dressed like the English. He was not at all interested in politics. He sometimes laughed at Satyagraha (nonviolent non-cooperation) and service to the country as dreams of crazy fellows.