The Little Chai Wala_ The Encounter

He was trying hard to balance the puri lunch plate on his left hand and the hot glass of tea on the right.

Half-naked with bare foot, he had to walk the sun  scorched road.

Even I was finding it difficult to cross,as the cars never stopped in the traffic chaotic city road.

And that job of the little boy seems to be the toughest of all the jobs in the world that moment .

He was so careful with each of his step as he had the plate and the tea cup.

What if he drops? 

This scene caught my attention in and between the crowds.

I am not very sure of his age, but the first look on his face made me assume he must be seven or so.

I went closer to him, and noted through his over cautious steps that maybe this is his new job as a chai wala.

The fear feeling of dropping the lunch on his hands can be read right on his forehead through the shrink lines and eye wrinkles.

He shrugged every time he made an attempt to cross the road .

He failed several times , because he was too scared with the "might drop the lunch" feeling.

He might lose his only job, if he prove himself careless.

He had to deliver the lunch safe on to the other side of the road to the shop keeper.

I went closer and stood beside him and smiled. ....

I asked him if he goes to school and he told that he is in Grade 1 and that he works during his free time after school.

I patted him and told him "Chalo,let's cross now, it's safe..don't be scared"

We crossed and I continued asking him how much he earn per day before he reach the shop.

He proudly told me 20Rs in a day, so I began to calculate his monthly earning.

I was told that he has around 200Rs to get his new slipper.

I was literally in tears.

Children of his age dreams of open air, flying kites.

He is merged into winning his daily bread and to get a slipper for his cracked sole.

For a second, I felt why would parents be parents if they can't afford to look after children as young as him.

Too young is he to be held up into so much responsibility.

I took out a cash and handed it to him.

But he refused to take and said he do not take for free. I kept assuring him that it's for his new slipper from a friend.

 He looked straight into my eyes and gave me that heart wrenching smile of relief.

I smiled and bade him good-bye.

I walked home assuring myself that, this boy definitely will grow up knowing the value of hard earned things in life and value it for life.