It's a hot summer afternoon.It's the time for regular power cut - incidentally this coincides with the lunch time!! I was in subway ordering my sub of the day - complaining all the while that the air conditioner is not working, it so hot and sweaty in here and so on ....
Nevertheless i got my sub and occupied the table which overlooks the main road near by. Sometimes I like the feel of stopping and seeing the world rushing ahead , people vying to overtake each other in the never ending war of me-first.
Sandwiched between the main road and the place where i was munching on my sub was a small strip of land with a summer-tired tree with a shady patch below it. I could see four people preparing their things and ready to sit down in the shade. Two of them were men - the face and the demeanour showing that they are hard working labourers - the skin shining black - not because they were born black - it was a face severly worn down by weather and hard work. There was a lady - her face having a similar look. But the most interesting person was - a girl around 7-8 years old. The excitement of life and events showing from her innocent eyes.She had long hairs and wore a decent good looking dress - squatting, now waiting eagerly for her mother to serve her meal. Her face and her eyes so full of happy expectation - her mother started serving and i could see a big portion of rice being served on her small plate. And then a very small portion of Sambar along with a piece of pickle. My intent look shifting from the plate to her face and back. I was expecting, her face will change - the exciting look giving way to frustration and disinterest but nothing of that sort happened. She was still jubilant at what she saw on her plate - took the plate and started to eat. The face still radiating the happiness and contentment that comes with having a good meal.
They all finished their food and started gathering their things to start another session of hard work on this blazing summer afternoon.
My sub was half finished - suddenly all my sulking and complains vanished. I dont know why - but i thanked God for all the things that he has bestowed on me. There was a silent prayer for that girl too - may God bless her with all the happiness and my God keep her exuberant face as it is. I know the face might get shadowed by the upheavals of the life but let her heart be filled with happiness and contentment that i saw on her face today.
I know i may not see her or her family any time in future - but i think i will remember the little girl for making me a wee bit more wiser. With that thought in my mind i walked back to my office - but in some corner of my mind i think the little girl will always stay.
Nevertheless i got my sub and occupied the table which overlooks the main road near by. Sometimes I like the feel of stopping and seeing the world rushing ahead , people vying to overtake each other in the never ending war of me-first.
Sandwiched between the main road and the place where i was munching on my sub was a small strip of land with a summer-tired tree with a shady patch below it. I could see four people preparing their things and ready to sit down in the shade. Two of them were men - the face and the demeanour showing that they are hard working labourers - the skin shining black - not because they were born black - it was a face severly worn down by weather and hard work. There was a lady - her face having a similar look. But the most interesting person was - a girl around 7-8 years old. The excitement of life and events showing from her innocent eyes.She had long hairs and wore a decent good looking dress - squatting, now waiting eagerly for her mother to serve her meal. Her face and her eyes so full of happy expectation - her mother started serving and i could see a big portion of rice being served on her small plate. And then a very small portion of Sambar along with a piece of pickle. My intent look shifting from the plate to her face and back. I was expecting, her face will change - the exciting look giving way to frustration and disinterest but nothing of that sort happened. She was still jubilant at what she saw on her plate - took the plate and started to eat. The face still radiating the happiness and contentment that comes with having a good meal.
They all finished their food and started gathering their things to start another session of hard work on this blazing summer afternoon.
My sub was half finished - suddenly all my sulking and complains vanished. I dont know why - but i thanked God for all the things that he has bestowed on me. There was a silent prayer for that girl too - may God bless her with all the happiness and my God keep her exuberant face as it is. I know the face might get shadowed by the upheavals of the life but let her heart be filled with happiness and contentment that i saw on her face today.
I know i may not see her or her family any time in future - but i think i will remember the little girl for making me a wee bit more wiser. With that thought in my mind i walked back to my office - but in some corner of my mind i think the little girl will always stay.
