Introduction by Ripa – This title is inspired by a literary fairy tale “The Little Match girl” by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen – a story about a little girl who sells match sticks, about her dreams and hope.
Ours is a real-life story. The protagonist of our real-life story is a little boy who sells key-chains on the streets. The narrator of this article, Shivang Bhatt came across this precocious boy on the streets of Surat. Read on to know about his conversation with Shivang about his plans in life.
“I met this little one during my campaign in Surat. I was doing an awareness campaign on crypto currency and had a meeting in Surat city. While I was trying to locate the complex where my meeting was scheduled, I decided to have a cuppa tea at the tea center. Here I met this innocent but smart little boy.
I was having tea and he came to me, asking me to buy a keychain. I cast a glance on him – he seemed to be around 12 to 14 years old. Then we got engaged in a rather interesting conversation.
Me – Why are you doing this work rather than going to school?
Boy – I attend school as well as tuitions.
It was hard for me to believe this, so I start my cross questioning about his school name, location etc. I was satisfied that he is speaking the truth.
Me – If you already studying then why are you selling keychains on the streets?
Boy – School se to sirf ek certificate milega aur Naukri ke liye log experience maangte hain. Apne ko Naukri nai karneka hain, apan bada hoke seth banega. Aur uske liye paisa chahiye.
(School will give me just a certificate, but I would be asked for experience when I start looking for work. I want to be my own boss, I don’t want to work. I need money to start a business).
Me (thinking) – Hmm.. he has a clear goal and mind is focused. He is an interesting boy to talk to.
Me – Plan kya hain? (Whats your plan?)
Boy – keychain bech ke din ka Rs 200- 300 mil jaata hain. Jo bhi profit mile main papa ke account mein daalta rehta hun. Jaise Rs 50,000 ho jaata hain papa uski FD kar lete hain.
(I earn Rs 200 – 300 approximately by selling keychains. Whatever profit I make, my father puts in his account. When the amount sums upto Rs 50,000, he will do a FD).
Me – Do you know what is FD?
Boy – FD mane usme paisa rakho to 8 saal ke baad double milega.
(FD means I will put money into it and after 8 years it will double the value).
Me – ya, continue.
Boy – abhi mai 7th mein padh raha hun, samjho 1 saal me 50,000 maine bachaye to jab mein graduate ho jaaunga tab mere paas apna dhandha daalne barabar paisa ho jayega. Aur yeh to chal hi raha hain, phir kya tension.
(currently, I am in my 7th Grade, say if after a year, around 8th grade, I will save Rs 50,000 and keep it in FD, then after I graduate, I will have enough money to run my own business. And if things go the way they are right now, then no worries)
Me (thinking) – I had never thought of these things when I was in 7th grade. At that time, I didn’t even know what I would do in my life.
Boy (talking to the tea seller) – ye bhaiya se paisa mat lena, apna aadmi hain.
(do not take money from the big brother, he is one of us)
Boy (to me) – Tumko idhar aaspas ka kuch bhi kaam ho to apan se puchne ka, apan sab batadega. Idhar ka olx google sab main hain.
( if you have any work around here, ask me anytime, I know everything, I am the OLX, Google equivalent of everything here ).
Me (very intrigued) – ya, that’s all right, but how do I contact you.
Tea Seller – are bhai, yeh yahi par ghumta milega 7-9 ke bich me. (you may find him roaming about here daily between 7 – 9 selling keychains).
And the most interesting and note-worthy fact was that he wasn’t alone, he was leading a whole gang of kids selling their wares.
The narrator, Shivang, was so moved by this young boy, he was sure that this boy would pull a few emotions out of our readers hearts as well. This episode was an eye-opener for Shivang and team RAHYS.
Kids of today GEN Z, are our nations future, we need to nurture them and groom them to create a world full of peace and love instead of war and hatred.
Shivang is a very good listener. Like him we need to stop and listen to these kids who are our future. We are the blessed ones, we should take a moment off our busy lives and do something that would encourage the less-privileged ones to live a worth while life. Maybe sponsor education for these intelligent teenagers and ensure that they create a wonderful future.
Do post a comment on this beautiful narration by Shivang Bhatt. We would like to know readers views.
