*THE BALLAD OF FATHER GILLIGAN*

'The ballad of father gilligan' by W.B Yeats deals with how God helps those who help others.

The Ballad of Father Gilligan' is an Irish poem by Yeats. It tells a plain story beautifully, and the supernatural touch in the poem adds much more appeal to the poem.

Father Gilligan was a parish priest. He loved his. fellow men and dedicated his life for the welfare of others. In fact, he devoted his life in the service of his parishioners. Once, it so happened that the people of his parish. were stuck with a strange disease. No one could understand the nature of the disease and no medicine could treat the disease. Father Gilligan tried his best to save the lives of the people of his parish. But half of the people of his parish died of it and the others were at the doors of death. It was a terrible time for Gilligan. He had to nurse the sick, conduct the funerals and pray for the soul of the dying. It was such a painful job, because he was bleeding in his heart for the suffering fellow human beings. One evening Father Gilligan was sitting on his chair utterly exhausted by the heavy call of duty. He was mentally and physically weak. call of a poor man in his death-bed who Just then there was was in need of the service of the Father. The father became very sad at the tragic happenings of his parish.

Father Gilligan complained that he had lost his rest, joy and peace for a moment thought of skipping the call. But soon he begged God to He forgive him, he realized. Though his body had become weak, his spirit was as ever willing to serve the poor. While he was thus leading with God, he fell asleep without his knowledge, due to heavy work and sleeplessness. When he woke up the next morning, he was reminded of the call of the dying poor man. He felt ashamed at his attitude. He at once mounted on his horse and rode by a Rocky lane and continued without stopping for a breath. He was determined to reach the sick man and do the service.

When he reached the house, the sick man's wife opened the door for him, was surprised to see him again. She told him that her husband died merrily and peacefully an hour after he had left. She was very thankful to Father Gilligan for helping her husband to die comfortably and happily by his wonderful service and prayers.

Father Gilligan had at once understood the hand of God in this episode. He knelt at once and thanked God for having sent one of His great angels as Father Gilligan, a poor priest who lay asleep on the chair. Thus the story tells us that God always loves those who "tire and bleed' for the sake of their fellowmen.