The woman, later a mother after marriage, plays an important role in ensuring the continuity of the human race on earth. “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is a line of a poem written by the American poet, William Ross Wallace, summarizing in nine words a dignified thought which cannot be so forcefully expressed even by a volume of many pages.
This is a celebrated saying often quoted in appreciation of the important work done by a woman both as a wife and a mother. A cradle is a small box-like cot where a mother keeps her baby and moves it to and fro until it sleeps. It does not merely refer to the mother’s activity of lulling her small one to sleep but has a deeper meaning embedded therein, namely her capability of bringing up children, with superior qualities, who will be a blessing to the society.
There is no better way to demonstrate the worth of a woman as a mother than by quoting the sayings of famous men about their mothers. “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother" is what Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, said about his mother. Another American President, George Washington, admitted his success in life to his mother when he affirmed “My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her". No other testimony than the above is needed to bear out the worth of a good mother.
An intelligent mother is always careful to observe her child’s behaviour, his utterances, the kind of friends with whom he associates and checks if he is treading on the wrong path. It is up to her to put him on the correct route whenever she sees that he is drifting in a false direction. She does this by her kind advice without hurting the child’s feeling. It is this sort of wise guidance that generates in him valuable and constructive attitudes and