I gave my car for a minor repair and went for a short walk. As I was walking, I saw two small children running from house to house very excitedly. “We will go to that house!.” one boy exclaimed. “I don’t know where that house is,” the other boy said. One boy held few old newspapers in his hand.. I saw them running to several houses. They were desperately looking for something. My curiosity was aroused.When they came close to me, I asked them what they were doing. They said they were collecting old news papers to sell and buy sweets. They just want Rs.4. I asked them if they had breakfast. One boy said no. The other boy said that there was old cooked rice at home but it cannot be eaten because it is stale. One boy’s name was Bharath and the other was Deepu. They were brothers. One was 6 years old and the other was 7. They were living with their mother. The father was not staying with them. The mother had gone out to do some work She will come only in the evening and cook food.They were studying in a nearby school and they get their noon meal free. But that day was Saturday and there was no school and therefore no lunch.
However, they gave me the impression that they were not bothered about breakfast or lunch. They want to eat some sweets. That was their main concern. I told them that I will give them Rs.4. Their eyes widened with disbelief. How will a stranger give them money to buy sweets? The boy with the newspaper said he will give the papers in exchange. They were unaware that for the few news papers they will not get any money at all. I gave them the money and told them that I didn’t want the papers. In the meanwhile, it started drizzling and it was time to go back to the mechanic. The boys told me to take at least one paper to protect my head from rain. I refused and started walking. The little boys started running to the far away shop to buy sweets unmindful of the rain.
What will be the future of these children? They were small, pure, friendly, innocent, guileless and trusting.
Will they get a decent education and a good job?
Will they become laborers? OR
Will they become anti social elements?
What is your opinion? Can you hazard a guess?
14 comments:
Joseph, one day I would like to walk the streets of India with you. I am always touched by the warm stories you tell with your 'life in motion'. I like the things you look at, the words you speak, the way you touch people.
Those children would have a bright future if more of us were like you.
God bless you Joseph,
Fred
Nice one, Joseph. Sweet pictures of the two boys.
And so nice of you to give them money for their treat.
Schemes for school lunch are really good, but sometimes we forget - that children will get hungry on holidays too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such nice comments.
The boys were trying to meet their wants in an honest way and without begging. I think they will be all right and that they will one day remember the kind stranger who gave them money for sweets, and will do the same for future young boys we will never know.
Hi,
I don't know what to write. But I congratulate your mind to poor people. "Bharath & Deepu" what will be the future of these children? Anyway Good Luck......
It made me sad to see photos of hungry children... like I've mentioned on my blog today, our world is an imperfect place, not what our Creator had in mind when he so lovingly created it.... I live awaiting for a better world to live...
I don't know if you celebrate Thanksgivings, Joseph, but here in the USA we celebra a day of thanksgivings tomorrow, so I am wishing you happiness and blessings even if you do not celebrate Thanksgiving...
Hugs
cielo
Thank you for posting this story and this picture of these precious little boys. May God's perfect will be accomplished in their lives, and may He use your conversation with them to plant seeds that will bear fruit in their lives in the years ahead. :)
I also believe that the two little boys will remember their kindness and they will be kind to others, too.
Luckily they get food in school.
Joseph, thank you for visiting my blog and for your nice comments! I've never lived in a country without winter season!
Hi joseph, thanx for ur comment in my blog! i m so sorry about what i read in this post... no words!
Luis
Hi ! I am coming to your blog for the first time through Raji's blog... and I must admit this story touched me ! As Leo says they were trying to earn their sweets ... they'll probably turn out well ... but life is always so full of happenings and if you don't have love on the way, you might sometimes get into troubles ... you gave them unexpected love ! that's nice !
Thanks for visiting my blog and your comments are is very inspiring as always.you have summed up my poem into beautiful words .
thanks.......
Hi Joseph, considering that they were willing to work for their sweet treat, I hope they'll turn out all right. Thanks for sharing as always. God bless.
What a wonderful episode, Joseph! Those boys look so cute and they make me feel so sorry once they can't have a proper meal as it is not a school day!...
Even so I also would have given them the 4 rupees, at least they should be happy.
Isaiah 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Matthew 25: 31-40
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
They will not forget :-)
Hi Joseph, I have been to India and also many countries that have such difficulties with poverty. CHildren are such innocences that it always touches your heart when they do the things that children want to do. One simple act of compassion and generousity will sow a seed that is more important than the sweets.
regards
David
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