It had been a hectic week and the Saturday ‘long sleep’ was
the only activity I was looking forward to.
At the eleventh hour, a 10 o’clock meeting was called on Saturday. I
grumpily walked out of my house to attend the meeting. And, little Branden
raced past me on his little blue bicycle.
Branden is my friend Tina’s nephew who lives in the same
neighborhood. He sees me and screams, “Aunty, wait!” He recklessly rides
towards me on his blue bicycle with a black plastic bag hanging from the handle.
Panting, he takes out two sweets from the bag and hands them to me. I ask him
if it was his birthday and he grins, “Uncle Gopal had a baby!” He then races
off distributing sweets and spreading joy.
At the meeting, I am savoring a sweet and smiling at the
thought of little Branden speeding on his blue bicycle with a black plastic bag
jingling with sweets.
A week later I went to visit Tina’s mother. I ask for
Branden but he was out playing. As I finished my drink and prepared to leave
Branden enters. He walks in with dirty clothes, flushed cheeks and a happy
smile. He then does the most unusual thing- he bows before me and asks for my
blessing. I am stunned by his gesture. Overwhelmed and speechless I hold him
and say ‘dhanyabad’ instead of ‘bhagyamani.’
A small gesture by a child lightens spirits and their
innocence and pure intentions only bring happiness. But as we get older we lose
this charm. Why cant that innocent child remain within us for eternity…
…
EC
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