The brother and sister sat on the footpath outside my house, laughing and giggling. They were about 5–6 years old. They generally accompanied the rag picker who came around once in every few days. Must be an older sibling, I guessed. I couldn’t help enjoying that innocent scene as I watched them from my window. They were dressed in rags, and there was a slight chill in the air. But the warmth they exuded had nothing to do with the weather.
I called out to my son who was busy with his smartphone. I wanted him to see these kids. Well, I couldn’t disturb him at his game and say ‘Come and take a look at these rag pickers’, could I? Literally, yes, I can say the words. But if you have been with the present generation of youngsters, you will exactly understand what I am saying.
I had a brainwave. I took the bag of old toys I had kept aside, which I had planned to give away. I called these kids. They came running and stood expectantly outside the door. Now was my chance. I gave the bag of toys to my son and told him to go and give it to the kids outside. He gave me ‘that’ look (yes, the very same look they give you when you disturb them when they are ‘busy’ on the phone). But he obediently went and gave the bag to the kids. Their faces were aglow as they opened the bag and saw the toys. These were old and unused toys, but they were so happy as though they were gifted an entire toy factory! We must have stared at them for some time. Then they gave us a beautiful, dazzling smile and ran away. Back to the footpath, where they sat and examined each toy and played with it. I was back at the window. And this time, my son stood silently by my side and watched them. A couple of hours later, I could still not forget the vision of pure joy I had seen on the faces of those kids. I asked my son ‘what are you thinking?’ And he replied, ‘Mom, I’m thinking of those two kids.’
The scene still lingers in my mind, and I feel like I have already got my Christmas gift.
Trance Series 