Fading childhood...

It was 12’o clock when I woke up last Sunday (thanks to the night shift on Friday)and heard my wife already in the kitchen, may be preparing something for lunch. With great difficulty, I dragged myself out of the bed. My feet refused to stand on the floor, as the tiles were still cold. Sudden rush of blood started flowing throughout my body as I felt early morning fainting sensation, though I had slept for really long hours… I started cursing and blaming the night shift and the kind of work I have been doing in the last few days. Some sort of frustration and disgust had already started developing in my heart as I entered kitchen to see what my wifey had prepared for the lunch.

When I was sipping tea with some wooziness in the balcony, I heard some strange music (or shall I say ‘noise’ of the drum). I was about to complain about that too, (as I was in a great mood of complaining about anything and everything) I was stuck by what was happening on the street!

A small girl in her early childhood (may be aged around 3-4) was flipping back on her head like what we see in some of those dance shows. It grabbed my attention and soon my wifey joined to watch the little girl perform in our lane. She was accompanied by a boy looked like her brother who was in his early teen, and her mother who was holding a baby. The boy continued to beat the drum as the little girl flipped back and forth. The little girl’s action did grab the attention of people passing by and those who lived in adjacent buildings. Once they felt enough people are watching them, the boy instructed her to do what I had not seen live till that day. A rope tied between two wooden logs setup, which was about 6ft high. Without any hesitation, with the initial help of her brother she climbed up and started adjusting herself on the starting point. Another wooden log was given to her, not sure what was the weight of that log she was holding, but it certainly looked a lot bigger for 4yr old kid. That was perhaps for balancing. And then, she started walking slowly with no support. Well, it might not look big or something impossible or even something that was never tried before. But the fact that the 4 year kid was doing it certainly made me forget about my last sip of tea.

little one in action...

She reached the other end and I thought that’s it... But she proved me wrong. She came backwards!! Now walking on the rope, though it is just 6ft high (considerably a bit risky for someone like her that too when there is no support, the risk gets multiplied by two, if you are coming backwards). When she was half way through, my heart almost came to my mouth when she started trembling. But then, I realized it was part of her act. She vigorously started shaking the rope while managing herself standing firm. Any person with a heart would feel pity for her. I decided to give them some money, as I went down thinking that the street circus would have ended. But she proved me wrong again! This time,  her brother placed a cycle rim (which only has its circular perimeter with the inner sticks removed)  on the rope. “Don’t tell me, is she going to walk on that!” I heard my thoughts! She placed her tiny, gentle legs on the rim and started walking (or shall I say riding?) smoothly along the rope as if she is riding a single tire bicycle with no pedals or handles!!

no scope for mistakes...

After she got down, the little girl then walked around holding a plate with some hopes in her eyes, thinking she had done enough to drive the onlookers mind and heart to help their living (in the form of money). I checked the plate when she came near me, it was definitely not enough. I knew that, what I was going to give her was also not sufficient for their family for even 2 days. She was pretty just like other children, who deserved a better life. ‘How unfortunate?’ I thought to myself. But I didn’t see that thought, the feeling of disappointment or failure to draw more money with her splendid performance in her eyes. Instead, I could still see that shine in her eyes which every innocent kid would have. As I started walking back, I saw the little girl giving the money to her mother and then she continued playing in the mud, stones later with her baby sister… completely occupied in her own world!

big responsibility behind this innocence...

Amazing! How I wish to remain as a kid just to have those innocence back… I had completely forgotten about my dizziness and my mind was out of its ‘complaining’ mood. It also brought me a thought which said – how fortunate I am. I had everything since the time I was born (though I don’t remember much of it but still.. ) I mean I had everything, compared to that 4 year old whose past, present and  even future may not have all those things which most of us have enjoyed. Most part of her childhood has already filled with such a responsibility of street performance, on which her entire family depends upon!!  She may be unaware of what lies on her shoulder completely, it may look like just another game for her… But, she actually holds the key to the living of her family. Too young for such a responsibility isn’t it? She may continue doing this throughout her childhood, what we call - one of the most beautiful phases of human lives, or may even continue doing beyond that. How unfortunate! 

It makes me wonder, the job we are doing which we may call the worst, toughest - sometimes doesn't look that bad... the weekends, that we call boring, sometimes, look good the way it is... the life which we complain for anything and everything, sometimes looks a lot better... It is not that I have changed and I will not complain throughout my life after watching that girl. Like every other wound that heals by time, this thought will also fade. Upon that, this is not even a wound, just a thought... But one thing is sure, that it really made me feel better. It made me feel, that I am fortunate to have blessed with so many things in life, which we often tend to oversee due to other less important or silly matters we come across...