Little Things That Matter Much

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

- Robert Brault

True. Absolutely true.

Diwali, a festival of lights, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal all over the country brings huge and vibrant smiles on all our beautiful faces. I am called pretentious by a few people when I ask them not to use crackers this time. But that is just normal for me. I am called pretentious every second day when I try and ask someone to avoid doing something against the rules. But I am not the only one who experiences this. Actually, most of us are against the use of crackers, however, it is the spirit with which this festival is celebrated that leaves us all elated.

Since it is a tradition to exchange gifts with our loved ones, I was standing at a sweet shop with my parents buying sweets that were to be exchanged the next day. A small and not so clean hand surreptitiously moved beside me and I could see a small and innocent looking child choosing sweets for himself. He was carrying a ten rupee note in his other hand. Everyone else tried to move away from him. The shopkeeper who was busy addressing his customers in a very polite manner, suddenly scolded the child and asked him to go away. I somehow didn't understand why he did that since the child had money with him. The child then started pointing out at sweets and looked at the shopkeeper with gleaming eyes , waiting for him to state the price that might be in his favour. "Ye dus rupay ki ek hi milegi" , the shopkeeper said. " acha, aur ye gulabi wali?" , the child asked. " ye bhi bas ek hi " " itne paiso ki bas ek ? " I experienced a sharp pang of sorrow on hearing this. A ten rupee note meant a lot to the child.I felt small when I thought how I spend it without even thinking and that too on a daily basis. The child then pointed out at small rasgullas and gulabjamuns that were kept in a corner. " Aur ye ?" He asked. " ye do mil jayege. Jaldi le aur bhaag" , answered the shopkeeper. The child gave a look of despair and went away. I saw his T-shirt which read "Boss". Oxymoron personified :( After 30 seconds he returned and asked for the rasgullas. The shopkeeper handed him four of them and smiled a little. The elated child took it and went away. I felt better when I saw the shopkeeper helping him by giving four instead of two. But even if the shopkeeper or I help him today, tomorrow he will return to his normal life where he will be scolded if he is around and not be given any help. I am not asking anyone to give him money. Certainly not. I don't know how he will use it. But providing him with food or clothes might bring a change in his life. I looked back to see him since I had a strong urge to help him buy some more so that he will a have peaceful sleep that night. But he was lost in the crowd. I learnt a lot from that experience. I certainly did. All I can say is instead of spending money on crackers, do something to bring a change. The bursting of crackers will give you a momentary joy but doing an act of good will give you a story to smile. ALWAYS.

Make your diwali a dilwali diwali. :)