The Miracle Called Life
The word miracle never carried any significant meaning for me. Miracles were confined to the large white screen, not for the real life according to me. A few friends told me about the small miracles of their lives, but me- the pragmatic disbeliever, saw this as a chance, rather than the so called ""miracle". It all changed today, and I for once can say that I have seen a miracle- if that is what people call it.
I was out for my usual evening stroll (read: go and buy milk from the market!!). I went to a shop to buy a few things. While I was waiting, a lady comes up to the shop counter and starts asking about the price of "Basmati Rice"". Her anxious tone catches my attention, something about her voice making me look at her. I see a woman of about 35, returning from her office (not sure- she looked like one). By the looks of her, she belonged to the lower middle class of the society. She questions the shopkeeper again and again...asking for a cheaper price. The shopkeeper, now irritated by the growing number of waiting customers, offers her the lowest price- 25 Rupees for 1 kg and starts packing her order.
Well, her transaction done- the lady stares at the chocolate counter (so aptly placed at the front of the shop!) .Finally, mustering some courage she buys two chocolates (the 5 Rupees 5 star we love so much). She goes away-her melancholy walk now accompanied with a smile. The shopkeeper- an acquintance of mine, looks at me and remarks: "these people, asking so many times for one thing...can't even see that I am so busy!". I shrug, take my things and head towards home.
On my way back, I happen to chance upon the same lady. She was coming out from a temple, and moved towards a small boy: the usual lot that hang around the temples. What followed next- well you can guess. She gives the chocolates to the little kid- wishes him a ""Merry Christmas" and moves on.
Why is this a miracle you may ask. Imagine the chilly winds of Ghaziabad...freezing temperatures, fog slowly bearing down. Everyone is rushing back to their homes- finish off their works and somehow get inside the their warm blankets. Look at the shopkeeper- angry that the woman was taking too much time. The bystanders- irritated by the lady taking too much time. Everyone was worried about their time- their work- their life. And here we have this lady- returning from work like everyone else- not very well to do financially...maybe getting late as well. And she still finds the time and the money to give a complete stranger a Christmas Gift.
The little boy would surely have started believing in miracles.I have.
I was out for my usual evening stroll (read: go and buy milk from the market!!). I went to a shop to buy a few things. While I was waiting, a lady comes up to the shop counter and starts asking about the price of "Basmati Rice"". Her anxious tone catches my attention, something about her voice making me look at her. I see a woman of about 35, returning from her office (not sure- she looked like one). By the looks of her, she belonged to the lower middle class of the society. She questions the shopkeeper again and again...asking for a cheaper price. The shopkeeper, now irritated by the growing number of waiting customers, offers her the lowest price- 25 Rupees for 1 kg and starts packing her order.
Well, her transaction done- the lady stares at the chocolate counter (so aptly placed at the front of the shop!) .Finally, mustering some courage she buys two chocolates (the 5 Rupees 5 star we love so much). She goes away-her melancholy walk now accompanied with a smile. The shopkeeper- an acquintance of mine, looks at me and remarks: "these people, asking so many times for one thing...can't even see that I am so busy!". I shrug, take my things and head towards home.
On my way back, I happen to chance upon the same lady. She was coming out from a temple, and moved towards a small boy: the usual lot that hang around the temples. What followed next- well you can guess. She gives the chocolates to the little kid- wishes him a ""Merry Christmas" and moves on.
Why is this a miracle you may ask. Imagine the chilly winds of Ghaziabad...freezing temperatures, fog slowly bearing down. Everyone is rushing back to their homes- finish off their works and somehow get inside the their warm blankets. Look at the shopkeeper- angry that the woman was taking too much time. The bystanders- irritated by the lady taking too much time. Everyone was worried about their time- their work- their life. And here we have this lady- returning from work like everyone else- not very well to do financially...maybe getting late as well. And she still finds the time and the money to give a complete stranger a Christmas Gift.The little boy would surely have started believing in miracles.I have.
An extremely touching peice Salil!...Hats off to your keen sense of observation & making us realise the meaning of humanity through your insightful thoughts...
ReplyDeletethnks.....continue commenting...make me write more...
ReplyDelete