The Gallivanter Beggar Boy...

Something very strange happened to me today. I woke up in the morning, very happy and very enthusiastic. I have my own reasons to be happy.
I left for office in my friend's car. I took the usual path, but today the roads were jam more than usual. I was waiting way behind the queue on a traffic signal. This is the signal where I stop daily. These signals have a story of their own. You can always see a lot of things happening over these signals.
On an average I stay at this particular signal for around 4-5 minutes. But these 5 minutes says a lot. You see a lot of people all around you. Someone is busy on his phone, someone is looking over to a beautiful girl crossing in a rickshaw and some girl in the back car who left for work in hurry is busy doing her makeup.
The thing which stroked me the most was this beggar boy. He was around 12 or 13 years old suffering from polio. This boy was full of energy. He seemed to be always happy and smiling. There was something in his smile that always stole my attention. He used to pass my car daily but never asked me anything.
Today he knocked my window. He gave me a sweet smile and greeted 'Hello'. I thought what has happened to him today.
"Can I ask you something?” he said.
I nodded my head in yes thinking he'll make some stupid story and ask for money.
"Can you bring me some crackers for this Diwali?"
It came as a shock to me. I felt ashamed in front of his decent request. He said nothing else, just kept looking at me. His eyes penetrated my soul.
"I will definitely." He left with joy.
His request reminded me of my younger siblings...

A Reading Gallivanter Girl...

My life started as usual. Woke up early in the morning, no breakfast, long day ahead.

But I was happy mainly because of two things. Firstly, I got the new book of my favorite author (Aleph- Paulo Coelho). I couldn't wait to finish it before my friend does. And secondly I'll be travelling again.

As usual, I was waiting at the bus stop for my bus to arrive with Aleph in one hand. The bus arrived and I got into it. It was almost empty. I occupied a window seat and started reading the book. 

I was so lost in the book that I didn't realize when the seat next to me got occupied.

It was a sweet voice that interrupted me. There was this sweet beautiful girl sitting next to me.

"Can I see the book?” she asked.

"Sure".

She read the introduction of the book.

"What does Aleph mean?” she questioned.

I took me some time to recollect what Aleph means. Then I explained it to her.

There was a strange smile on her face. Then I realized she very well knew its meaning and was simply testing me.

"Are you a Paulo Coelho follower?” I asked.

"No", she replied.

I was wrong; she didn't know what Aleph means.

"Can you suggest me some books which I should read?” She looked very curious.

"What kind of books do you like?"

She seemed puzzled to my straight question. Then she is told me, she was not much into reading. She got into reading recently.

"I need some books which can enlighten me spiritually. I hate to read something which is full of philosophy. I recently bought two books and they were full heavy dialogues. I want something simple, like a story book."

Only book that came to my mind that instant was 'The Alchemist'.

"Have you heard about a book called The Alchemist?”

"No", she replied.

"You must read this book. It’s in a form of story and you learn a lot from it."

I told her about few others books.

I had a prolonged conversation with her. We talked about a lot of things.

Finally, it was time for her to get down.

"I 'all definitely try to read the book you mentioned. Bye...”

Bye...

We talked a lot but at the end were complete strangers. I don't know her name and she don't know mine.

It’s good to know strangers sometimes....

Gallivanter Of The Day...

I got up a bit late today, thinking I'll have to be stranger today. Got ready and started my journey. I reached the auto stop and took an auto to the metro station. I reached metro station and as expected I didn't see any familiar face. I was only 5 mins. late and here I am in a strange world.
I got out of the metro station and took the subway to the bus stop. Subway has got life of its own, so vibrant and so lively. I am leaving the Subway story for future.
By the time I reached the bus stop, I have already missed my usual bus and my usual strangers. I took a different bus today and it was fully crowded, you’ll hardly find a place to stand. It was a low floor bus, 3/4th portion of the bus is low and at the back 1/4th portion is on rise. There is a small 2 step stair from lower portion to upper one. I was standing near the stairs in crowd.
There was this guy standing next to me caring a bag. He was looking very dull in the early morning. I thought he might be retiring from some night shift job, making him so exhausted. To my surprise he caught hold of my hand and asked me to move a bit so that he can sit on the stairs. I said to myself, there is hardly any space to stand and he wants to sit. Anyhow I made some space for him.
'Thank You' he murmured. He told that he is having temperature and his head is spinning. He wanted to close his eyes and take some rest. I touched his forehead and it was burning.
I was happy that he got space to sit and get some rest. Meanwhile people kept hopping in and out of the bus. Whenever some crowd gets in, someone from it would start cursing the guy. Some people even stepped on him. He sat there quietly saying nothing.
We have got a very bad habit of passing judgment without even knowing the situation. I told few people cursing him that he is not well.
"What the hell we have to do with him not being well!! He is creating problem for others. If he is not well, why the hell is he travelling?"
It’s very difficult to make educated people understand sometimes.
At next stop a middle aged person hopped in. He wanted to go the rear end of the bus and stand. People asked him to stand where he was, but he insisted on going back.
"Mine is the last stop, I'll go back and stand there peacefully."
The guy was still sitting there and trying to get some rest. This middle aged man was making all efforts to go back, but the bus was heavily crowded. He got a glimpse of the sitting guy and started shouting on him.
"It’s because of these illiterate people we have to suffer. See how happily he is sitting down there and I am struggling to get a place stand.
Stand up otherwise I'll step on head and move ahead."
I was about to say something, but before I could the guy stood up politely.  This middle aged man gave him a stare and moved ahead angrily. I started to feel guilty, don't know why. I got down at the next stop thinking about our mentality.
Never mistreat anyone, next time you might be at the receiving end...

Introduction

Travelling daily, following the same path, you start to see common faces. They recognize you and you recognize them. There is an undefined bond between you and them. Once this bond is made you look for them always. When this bond deepens, you start sharing gestures and smiles. Who knows one day they might be your good friends.
This blog is all about those people whom I meet travelling my path.....