It was one fine evening I was coming back to home after day
long stressful work at office. I was pretty tired so to kill the stress I stopped at a road side tea stall to have a cup of tea. While having a tea I saw there
were many kids hanging around some of them were begging for money while others are
selling small toys.
One of them came to me and asked me to purchase a toy. Initially
I refused to buy but he keep on insisting me to buy one. His efforts and
dedication made me curious to know about him so I strike conversation with him.
His name was Deepak and he was around 10-11 years old kid.
He was wearing a red sweater which was dusty and torn from all sides with naked
foot.
In anxiety I asked him about his home, parents, education
and stuff like that. He told me that he lost his parents in childhood and
living with his younger brother 5 years old at footpath near bridge. He didn’t want
to talk about education thing don’t know why may be feeling weird or something
but I emphasis on that then he told me he is going to Govt
School of nearby area and currently in 6th standard.
By now we were sharing a comfortable zone with each other so I asked
him curiously from where did he bought all this toys he told me heart wrenching thing. Firstly
he begged for money then he decided to do some work instead of begging so he
collected money and purchase this toy at Rs. 17 and selling them in Rs. 20 by
making Rs.3 Profit per toy. When asking for food arrangement he replied that he
is having 2 bricks and one pot to cook rice every night to satisfy him and his younger
brother hunger. He put 2 bricks aside and place rice in the pot and put it under fire
by collecting waste paper, plastic or piece of wood from the road. This melts
my heart.
I have decided if he is ready to work and not accepting
begging for money I will surely help him. I have asked him after school instead
of selling toys he can come to my office and do some work i.e. file shifting,
market work etc. He was damn happy and said yes without wasting a second.
But at the same time I know child labor is an offense or
crime but I can’t let him work like this since he is sincere and hardworking.
Our conversation last for 40-45 minutes I purchased one toy
from him and we had a cup of tea together. My all stress and frustration goes
into the gutter and was feeling happy and relaxed.
I have asked him to meet me at the same place same time
tomorrow and he agreed happily. I went
there next day but couldn’t find him it’s a big area may be some
miscommunication happened. I wish if he could have mobile phone with him. Since
then whenever I visit that place my eyes are always searching for that boy.
I never met him again but he taught me something which I will
always remember. I believe he was not meant to be selling toys hope someday
he will achieve certain heights in his life.
