“Mom, why did you give away my boots? You know how much I love
them.”
“But they don’t fit you anymore.”
“So what? This is why dad left you alone.”
She stared at me for a moment and then turned away. I knew I
shouldn’t have said it but I was so angry.
My dad left us when I was five. It’s been ten years now. My mom
and I never talk about him. I have no idea where he is today, whether he is alive
or not. But one thing is sure, the world is cruel! This is why I didn’t
understand when mom kept on donating things to the charity. When my own father
can abandon, why worry about the people around. The world if full of selfish
people, people who do not care anymore, people…… self-minded demons. I’m one of
these people.
I took my back pack and rushed out. I didn’t want to yell at
my mom so I thought I should take a ride alone. I paddled my bicycle towards
the north. The City Park is some six kilometers away and that was where I was
heading towards to.
Suddenly ---
My bicycle turned all wiggly. I stopped.
“Stupid! Who is the devil owner of this stupid nail?! Now I’ve
to get this flat tyre fixed.”
I was still walking forward, pushing my bicycle when I heard
a bike honking. It halted in front of me.
“Hey boy! Looks like your cycle broke down. I’ve my repair
shop nearby. I can have a look at it.”
“No, thank you.”
“May be I can give you a ride---“
“NO! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?”
About ten minutes later, I reached the bus stop. Just beside
it was a repair shop. The man from earlier was there, working.
“It’s flat tyre. Get it fixed. I’ll be back in an hour or
two.”
“I will get it done.” he smiled as he said this.
“So, it’s you- the devil.”
“Huh?”
I didn’t stop there any longer. The bus moving to the City Park
had arrived. As I was trying to board the bus, a young boy was helping his
grandfather get on the bus. I took the seat opposite to them.
“Sir, what is your name? And where are u headed to?” the
young boy asked the old man whom I thought was his grandfather.
I paid no heed to the rest of their conversation.
“This boy must be trying to steal something from the old
man.” I thought to myself.
I closed my eyes and drifted away.
A while later, the bus conductor shouted, “City Park!”
I got down. As I strolled, I could see a woman and a little
boy who were sitting on a park bench. Immediately, I recognized the stitch I made
on my boots. I sat next to the boy.
“Ma’am, he is your son?”
“Yes, he is my son. I’ve been taking care of him since the
day he arrived at our orphan center. He is physically challenged.” She replied.
“Where did you buy his boots? It’s cool.” I asked because I wanted
to be sure.
“A special boy gifted you, didn’t he, Tomba?”
Tomba just giggled away. And I smiled. At that moment, I felt
a warm rush in my body.
Later that afternoon, I boarded a bus to go back home. It was
a crowded one and I didn’t manage to get a seat. An old man was standing too.
“Excuse me, but can you please give him your seat?” I said
to the man sitting.
“I’ve a long way to go.”
“You can have my seat.” The boy beside him said. “It’s okay
father. I won’t be tired.” He said to the man.
Finally, the man stood up and gave his seat to the old man.
I reached my stop. I got down and rushed to the cycle repair
shop.
“I’ve repaired it. You can take it.”
“How much do I need to pay?”
“Go home. Your parents must be worried.” Saying this he got
back to work.
I didn’t know what to do. How was I supposed to leave just
like that without paying him a penny? But the shop owner was so stubborn. He wouldn’t
even listen to me.
“Thank you.” I said.
As I rode my bicycle, I thought to myself “I know how I can
always pay him back.”
I raced with the wind. As I got back home, I rushed to my
mom. I was silent for a moment.
“Where did you go? You must be starving!”
“Tomba has my boots. I’m glad he has it.”
“Who is Tomba?”
I just smiled.
My mom…….she is my mom.
The shop owner is a very good person. That child has a heart
of gold. Tomba is a wonderful kid and is in the hands of that selfless woman. That
son will be a great man.
And I’m a changed man.
Little things can change one’s life forever. The path I chose
that day has changed me to what I’m today. I take care of my mom, people around
me and the world. One can always repay good deeds and kindness with kindness.
“Kindness like grain, increases by sowing.”
