The Many Names of Abel
By Mrs.Beena Stephan, Bahrain Indian School
In a quiet town nestled between rolling hills and bustling neighbourhoods stood an old, weathered orphanage—an institution that housed the dreams and struggles of countless children, among them a boy named Oliver.
Oliver sat by the window in his small, dimly lit room, clutching his new passport. The name etched on it felt unfamiliar, yet another addition to the roster of identities he had assumed in his young life. "Abel," he murmured to himself, testing the syllables, pondering how long it would take to embrace this new name. His earliest memories were tied to the corridors of the orphanage, a place that had witnessed his growth and shaped his identity in more ways than one.
The orphanage was a carousel of faces and names, a revolving door where children shuffled in and out, some finding new families while others remained, their hopes flickering with each passing day. Oliver often wondered if anyone else in the world had experienced the same whirlwind of identities, a journey as tumultuous and transient as his own.
In the confines of the orphanage, there were fifty souls, each with a unique story, yet collectively bound by a shared existence. Some among them were chosen—adopted by families who marveled at their light skin and attractiveness. But for Oliver, dark-skinned and slender, the road to a forever home seemed longer and more uncertain.
At the age of eight, fate ushered him into the foster care of a business family. "Welcome, Abu," they said, bestowing a new name and a new school. Yet, within the confines of this household, Abu felt more like a service hand than a cherished member of the family. "Abu, fetch this," "Abu, do that," echoed through the rooms, devoid of familial warmth.
The wheel of fate turned once more, as the family faced issues in their native land and had to repatriate. Abu found himself back at the familiar corridors of the orphanage, once again known as Oliver. But this fleeting phase ended swiftly when another family welcomed him, renaming him ‘Abhishek’ and introducing him to a new set of customs and beliefs. Yet again, he found himself in the role of an outsider, trying to assimilate into a world alien to his own.
"Why change my name?" Abhishek pondered silently, feeling like an outsider once more. "If they're willing to take an orphan into their home, why can't they accept my name too?" But life, he realized, often dealt unfair hands, and rules were to be obeyed, no matter how arbitrary they seemed.
Transitions continued to shape his destiny—a transfer landed him back at the orphanage, briefly known as Oliver once more, but this time for only a brief period. Then came a turning point. A compassionate family visited the orphanage, already aware of the constant upheavals in Oliver's life. They chose to adopt him, offering stability and a sense of belonging that had eluded him for so long.
As the day approached to leave the orphanage, Oliver, now twelve, grappled with a torrent of emotions. Hope mingled with apprehension. “Will they treat me as a cherished son or as another helping hand in their household? Will my new siblings embrace me or become my tormentors?”
The pivotal day arrived, and with a heart brimming with doubts, Oliver embarked on his new journey with the family. Asked what name he preferred, When asked what name he preferred, he chose 'Ab,' a syllable common to his two recent names. His new mother, struggling to pronounce 'Abhishek,' made a gentle modification, bestowing upon him the name 'Abel.'
As Abel navigated his teenage years within the warmth of his new family, he made a silent vow. He pledged to grow into a compassionate soul, transcending the confines of religion and spreading love. His tumultuous journey taught him empathy and resilience, igniting a passion within him to create a world where acceptance overshadowed the need for changing identities—a world where love flourished, especially for children like him, seeking a place to call home.
