The other day I had gone to buy milk when I noticed that my scooter had a flat tyre. I really didn’t want to go to the repair shop but common sense prevailed and I found myself at a shop not very far away , sweating profusely not only due to the humid heat but also because I had to literally drag my scooter for those long 50 metres ! You see, I am one of those persons who definitely believe in having all the luxuries that life can offer but who don’t care at all for the maintenance of the same.
Luckily , there was no other customer around and I was attended to immediately. And I waited and I sulked due to the wait. It was then that I noticed him. There was something about his manner that did not let me take my eyes away.
Very carefully, he took out a five rupee coin from his pocket , looked at it again to double check and gave it to the shopkeeper to check the air in his cycle. The latter gave him back three rupees and told him to do the chore himself. After again counting the money carefully, the migrant told the repair-person very politely that he doesn’t know how to do the job. He waited for a couple of minutes, gave me a searching look, maybe to ascertain that I wasn’t making fun of him, and very softly requested the shopkeeper again , only to be rebuked loudly. He was handed back his money and was shooed away. When I looked at him riding away, dressed in tattered clothes and broken chappals, I felt almost ashamed of my scooter and air conditioned house. He must have been almost atleast 15 years younger to me , trying to make a living while being labelled as a migrant labourer. Inspite of not getting respect , he carried himself very well .He had a clean and a fresh aura around him.
It is indeed very sad that all are not equal .
