The Train

The following blog is inspired by a forward I received. It was originally scripted in Hindi. I have tried to translate the same - not verbatim but the basic story line. I have tried my best to keep  the essence of the story and its message intact. I look forward to your opinions and comments.  

Near to my place of residence a large construction work was going on. A lot of unskilled laborers were employed by the contractor for this work. All these people were staying in

temporary shanties provided by the contractor. Most of them were staying with their family.

Every day the children of these laborers get together at the open space of the construction site They have their own improvised games.  The most popular one in this is the train. In this game one child will become the engine and the rest all will become the bogies. Each one will hold the hem of the shirt of the one in front and together they run as if they were forming a train. I used to watch these children every day and used to wonder how happily they enjoy their game. While observing them I also observed that every day the person who becomes the engine changes. May be by this arrangement everyone would get a chance to become the engine and the engine driver. Though this was a daily affair I have also noticed that among them one boy who runs around naked but for his under-wear always becomes the guard at the end of the train There was no change in his position. He carries a small piece of rag in his hand which he waves as if he is the guard at the last bogie. 

  Out of curiosity, one day I beckoned  the little boy (Guard) near me and  asked,

“Son, why are you always be the guard, are you not interested in becoming the Engine or the bogie like others do?”

. His answer stunned me. Innocently he looked up and said  “ Uncle, I do not have a shirt to put on. If I become the engine or the bogie where will the other children hold on to complete the train?”

  

Though his response was very casual and matter of fact, I saw his eyes welling up with tears. I too had to try hard to keep my emotions under control.  That day I learned a great lesson of life from this little boy. 

How much we rant of our desires unfulfilled,

We are sad because we always fail to

Understand this is life situation 

And understand its limitation.

Sometimes because we are dark in color,

Sometimes because we are short in stature,

Sometimes because your neighbors got a new limousine,

Some time because she acquired a diamond necklace.

You compare everything, your performance your job, your business;

By sulking you make your life a mess.

Hark, awake you have to come out of this frustration,

High in the heaven a kite may fly

A sparrow has its space where it can try

And create its own little world

Where it can happily lord