The Man Who Stayed on the Roof
The Man Who Stayed on the Roof
It was a small village near Kuttanad, where the land stayed low, and the river always flowed quietly beside the coconut trees. Life there was slow and simple. People woke up early, went to the temple or church, drank hot tea, and spoke to each other across compound walls.
Everyone knew everyone.
Old Achayan Varghese lived alone in a small tiled house near the river bend. He was known for one thing: his faith.
“Achayan prarthana kaaran aanu,” people said.
“He is a man of prayer.”
Every morning and night, for more than 25 years, Achayan prayed. He believed deeply that God watched over him.
Then came August 2018.
When the Sky Opened
That week, the rain did not stop.
Day and night, rain fell like it had decided never to leave Kerala.
The river rose quietly at first. Then one morning, it was no longer quiet.
Water entered the courtyards.
Then the kitchens.
Then the bedrooms.
People ran outside shouting.
“Water is coming!”
“Take the children first!”
“Switch off the electricity!”
The Panchayat jeep came with loudspeakers.
“Everyone, move to the school building. Relief camp is ready.”
Achayan stood at his doorway, watching water swirl around his feet.
“Achaya, come quickly!” shouted Babu, his neighbour.
“The water will rise more!”
Achayan shook his head calmly.
“Don’t worry, Babu. God will take care of me.”
Faith can give strength, but only if it walks with wisdom.
On the Roof
By evening, the water reached the windows. Achayan climbed onto the roof with a plastic chair and his prayer book.
He closed his eyes and prayed loudly.
“Lord, I have trusted You all my life. This is Your moment.”
Rain hit his face. Wind shook the coconut trees.
Then he heard a voice.
The First Help: A Country Boat
“Achaya!”
A small boat came floating near his house. Four men were inside, soaked and tired.
“Jump in!” one shouted.
“We are taking people to the temple hall.”
Achayan looked at the small boat shaking in the water.
“No, no,” he said.
“You go. God Himself will come for me.”
“Achaya, please don’t be stubborn,” Babu said.
“This is dangerous.”
Achayan smiled peacefully.
“I have prayed too long to be saved by a small boat.”
The men looked at each other helplessly.
“Come if you change your mind,” they said and paddled away.
Sometimes help looks too ordinary for our expectations.
The Second Help: The Rescue Boat
The night grew darker. Water reached the edge of the roof.
A loud engine sound broke the rain.
A motorboat from the Fire and Rescue Services arrived. Men wore life jackets. One threw a rope.
“Uncle! This is serious now!”
“Wear this jacket!”
Achayan looked at them calmly.
“No, sons. God will save me.”
One rescuer shouted back angrily,
“Uncle, God sent us!”
But Achayan shook his head again.
“I am waiting for Him, not a motorboat.”
The boat moved away, siren echoing in the rain.
Faith should open doors, not close them.
The Third Help: The Helicopter
By morning, only a small corner of the roof was left.
Achayan held onto a pipe and prayed.
Suddenly, the sky thundered.
A helicopter hovered above. Wind whipped the rain sideways.
A rope ladder came down.
“Uncle! This is the last chance!”
“Hold the rope!”
Achayan looked up. His eyes narrowed.
“A rope?” he whispered.
“What if I fall?”
He folded his hands.
“No. God will come Himself.”
The helicopter circled once… and left.
When pride wears the mask of faith, even miracles go unseen.
After the Flood
The water rose again.
Achayan slipped.
The flood took him away.
When he opened his eyes, he stood before God.
“Lord,” Achayan cried,
“I prayed for 25 years. Why didn’t You save me?”
God looked at him gently.
“My child,” God said,
“I came three times.”
“I came in a boat.”
“I came in a rescue service.”
“I came in a helicopter.”
“What more were you waiting for?”
Achayan stood silent.
God often answers prayers through people, not lightning.
Many people survived the floods because they accepted help.
They trusted God, but they also trusted the hands God sent.
Faith is not waiting with closed eyes.
Faith is seeing help and holding on.
If you ever face a flood in life, fear, failure, or confusion,
Don’t wait only for something magical.
Look around.
The help may already be there.