an inspiration

I read this inspiring story in a book whose name i donot remember. Neverthless, the story will always remain in my memory. Read on...

Rahul, a 14-year old school boy used to go to a football stadium everyday to get coached. He was an average player and he never figured in the playing eleven. On rare occasions, he used to be fielded in as a substitute. But inspite of this Rahul never missed one training session and came with his dad to the stadium everyday. His dad would go and sit at the far end of the stadium.

On the day of the club finals, Rahul went to the coach and said, "Sir, can i also play in the main team?". The coach said in a merciful voice, "Son, you know that there are many players who are more talented than you are. Play well the next season and i will surely put you in the team." But Rahul was adamant. He fought with the coach. The coach was taken aback but he gave in as he knew that Rahul was not a kind of kid who asked this way everyday. So with plenty of opposition from within his team, Rahul stepped into the field.

On the field, Rahul played like a house on fire. His coach and his team mates were amazed. The home team won the match. After the celebrations were over, the coach, a man with a keen eye asked him, "Son, frankly i have never seen you play so well. I felt a certain force inside you. What was it?"

Rahul answered, " Sir, today my dad watched me play". Confused, the coach looked in the direction where Rahul's dad used to sit everyday. But no one was there. The coach looked at Rahul for an explanation.

Rahul said, "Sir, my father was a blind man. He has never seen me play. Yesterday he died. So today is the first day that he is seeing me play. All the while he was watching me through God's eyes from heaven. I wanted to show him my best performance. That is what inspired me to play the way i did!"