“Vitamin-M” by Asha Nehemiah is a warm and humorous story about the relationship between Ravi and his 75-year-old grandfather. Grandpa has become forgetful, so Ravi’s mother, Vidya, worries about his safety and jokingly says he needs “Vitamin-M” (Memory). After Grandpa falls while living alone, he moves to the city to live with Ravi’s family, although he misses his peaceful village life.
One day, Vidya asks Ravi not to let Grandpa go out alone. However, Grandpa insists on going to buy a newspaper. Ravi secretly follows him through parks, shops, and streets. During the chase, Ravi loses track of Grandpa after mistakenly following another man wearing Grandpa’s yellow cap. Worried and frightened, Ravi returns home, only to find Grandpa safely back and resting.
In the evening, Grandpa surprises everyone by celebrating his birthday with gifts. Vidya realizes she had forgotten his birthday, and Grandpa jokes that she needs “Vitamin-M.” He also gives Ravi a detective storybook, revealing that he knew Ravi had been following him all along.
Central Message
The story teaches that elderly people deserve respect, trust, independence, and dignity. Although they may become forgetful, they are often wiser and more capable than others assume. The story also highlights the importance of love, understanding, and strong family relationships.
