Write Over the Weekend theme for this week
This time your entry must contain the three words idiot, perfume and CD.
"Mama, I love to visit shops."
"We are going to the mall , you idiot , not a shop". retorted Ananya.
"Silly , malls have shops, isn't it?
Ananya scowls at her little sibling.
"What's on your shopping agenda?" questioned I.
"Mama , Akanksha's birthday is on 25th. I want to buy for her , her favourite perfume".
"Mama , I want a FIFA 14 CD."
"Both of you be quiet and allow me to concentrate on the road."
Ananya and Akash made faces at each other.
When the vehicles halted at the sight of the red light at the traffic signal , a small grimy hand appeared on the window-pane and a tapping sound was heard , imploring us to roll down the windows. The little boy on the other side of the glass barrier had long nails with dirt accumulated underneath them. His hair was unkempt and his body and clothes had not been scrubbed by water and soap for a few days. Malnourishment seems to have taken a toll on him and the over-sized clothes seem to droop down on his frail shoulders.
I ignored the pest and wished the red indicator would immediately change to green. The wait at the signal felt longer than the usual time and I dreaded it.
The red light flickered to die out the and the green colour sprang to life and my foot immediately pressed the accelerator to zoom ahead. I heaved a sigh of relief.
The crowd was more than usual being a Sunday , people had flocked to the mall. But I noticed that the kids were not in their usual buoyant mood.
We entered a Book store. I asked them to pick up some books.
"Mama. we could have bought some books from the boy at the traffic signal?"
We entered a Book store. I asked them to pick up some books.
"Mama. we could have bought some books from the boy at the traffic signal?"
I looked at my seven year old. He was right.
The little boy at the signal seeing my little children in the car hurriedly came in our direction expecting of a good sale. I shut him off as he was crude and shabby. But I was ready to splurge at the malls where it is cool and fashionable to be seen among the rich crowd , the salespersons are well-dressed and speak the Queen's language. The colourful picture books which the boy at the signal was selling could have been useful in their project work or I could have passed it on to my maid's children . Those picture books would have cost me one fourth the price of the books in the malls. Moreover my purchase would have helped the little boy a chance to have a decent meal. The affluent can afford to sent their kids to reputed schools and pamper at the weekends in the fancy malls or to a movie. But what about thousands of children who hawk wares at the traffic signals to earn a living and be an additional source of income to their parents? Poverty was the root cause of this inequality and divided the humans into have's and have-not's.
I was guilty of myself , of shutting my conscience in the cool and comfortable confines of an air-conditioned car while my little children saw the harsh reality with their little innocent eyes. My kids taught me the simple human values which the expensive books on parenting would not have provided me with. I had made donations to various social organisations and temples and earned the title of being charitable among my corporate friends . I was ashamed of myself but at the same time full of pride as a mother of my kids. Today they have taught me a valuable lesson. As grown-ups , with our experience of worldly matters , we assume that we are an encyclopaedia of know-it-all but let us take a peep into the mind and world of our young ones to learn and unlearn many facts and truths of life.
Indeed ,William Wordsworth has rightly said ."the child is the father of the man".
Readers , do you agree with me?
This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.
yes you are right. But its better to avoid as if we keep on giving them money, it will become these kids habit and they will never work. Also, some use them for business purposes so ther collections goes to them instead of the poor kids. Think about it.
ReplyDeleteSaurabh , instead of giving them money as alms , one can buy their wares if and when necessary. Yes there are mafia gangs which make the small kids beg and collect money but we cannot put all of them in the same category. There are some hawkers at traffic signals who make a living for themselves. It's time to ponder about these points too.
DeleteI never give money. One should instead buy food for them I think. But like you said I do buy sometimes from those who are selling stuff even if the product is of no use to me. Because I always think if someone is working so hard, he/she should be able to have his daily bread at-least. I can't do much but I may make a slight difference!
DeleteIt's indeed something that needs to be pondered! Nice post :)
Giving them cash encourages begging and makes them crippled for life.This should not be encouraged.But by buying stuff from them enables them to earn a livelihood. There are many adults who hawk the wares at signals and I have read in the newspaper that the entire family sells different types of wares at signals.
DeleteI do not encourage begging by small children at the traffic signals because I have seen their mothers sit on the pavement and while away time oiling their hair and gossiping while their little children walk barefeet on the roads begging. I give them a pack of biscuit instead. When it comes to kids selling something, I usually buy stuff. Many of these children are without parents and sometimes their parents are also working on the signal. It is better to buy from them for cheap prices even if it doesn't last long. We all know how much the toys last anyway! Over the years I have bought stationary in trains from these kids, sometimes I buy colouring book and give it away to some kid I know or buy games for my nephew. It still aches me when I buy small toys from a boy as small as my nephew..
ReplyDeleteMaithili , its better to give them food than cash. I too buy toys and colouring books.
DeleteLovely post where you highlighted the kind of behavior that most of us I am sure have exhibited at some point of time or the other. We all get so caught up in our lives and small little worlds that we tend to ignore the rest of the world around us and this post so beautifully brought it out. Loved how you used the WoW prompt to highlight this.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jairam and it takes guts to accept that at some point or the other one has exhibited the behaviour of indifference and intolerance.
ReplyDeleteLovely post Kalpana. Buying their wares means we are acknowledging the fact that they are trying to earn their living. That helps. But encouraging begging. No.
ReplyDeleteLet us encourage them to earn their livelihood. Thanks Geeta.
DeleteYes Kalpana,we must not give cash to the beggars on traffic signals. I once saw a car which dropped the beggars at a traffic signal. It is a very organised gang to cheat the public.
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see little boys selling things in the middle of traffic. It is so dangerous. I wish I could do more than help them by buying what they sell.
ReplyDeleteHeart warming post, Kalpana!
I am sad to see little boys selling things in the middle of traffic. It is so dangerous. I wish I could do more than help them by buying what they sell.
ReplyDeleteHeart warming post, Kalpana!
A very pertinent message. Yes, buying what they sell is much better. At least they are making an honest living, though it is sad that circumstances are such that they have do this instead of studying or enjoying their childhood!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post with a pertinent message. Yes, buying what they are selling is much better. At least they are making an honest living. But it is sad that they have do this due to their circumstances when they should be studying and enjoying their childhood!
ReplyDelete"Tis so true....children teach us many things that we have to rediscover for ourselves. Thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteA moving reality of life described so well. My heart goes out for these young kids. Agreed...we can help them through kind not cash, as all of you have rightly pointed out here.
ReplyDeleteUnfair side of life. Luck or good life is always based on the flip of a coin. We were lucky to born as the fortunate ones and those kids were plain unlucky. I don't much encourage begging but at times do try to buy things they sell... but they are times when we ignore them.
ReplyDeleteI don't see a lot of this where I am from. Here where I live it is more common to see adults begging for money for food without even selling anything. However, if a person were to offer them food instead of money most of the time people like this will refuse it because they want the money for alcohol or cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to see women and children selling such stuff at the signal. It is illegal even. Begging is a business in some places. And it is better not to acknowledge and encourage it. Child Labour is illegal too. I guess if we don't buy and encourage, this form of labour might end someday. But looking at their faces and helplessness, many a times I have wanted to give in, but haven't so far. Good that you brought up this topic using the WOW prompt.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Fact of life.
ReplyDeleteWish we could solve this begging issue & ensure all kids go to school...