THE PATH TOWARDS NORTH

“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.”