Cricket Bat

One fine evening, I decided to take a stroll in a famous but crowded market near my house. Every nook and corner is occupied by hawkers which at times makes it very difficult to navigate, still people from all walks of life flood here for shopping.

I was casually wandering and doing my favorite hobby, which is, to observe people and their behavior in public places. I always love to watch, how much people negotiate and literally fight to shopkeepers to buy the products at the lowest prices. And the scene, when a negotiation does not reach an amicable end, customer pretends to leave the shop and at the same time wait for the shopkeeper to call them back, is really fascinating and interesting to watch.

As I was in the middle of the road, I overheard a child pestering his father with some requests. I could not hear what exactly it was for but then I purposely stopped and turned back to have a look at the child. Here was a middle-aged man, walking with his two kids, probably aged around 8-9 years old. The smallest one was continuously asking his father for a Cricket bat. He has full backing from his elder sibling who was silent but gesturing his brother to continue with his tactics so that they can get a new cricket bat. The man, who equally looked stubborn, was not in a mood to lend them an ear and kept on saying, next time, not this time. 

They kept on walking towards the end of the market.

Both the children somehow knew that it's going to end of the market, and they may not get it today, so young child shouted - Papa, we need a cricket bat. All of our friends have a bat except us both, so Please get us one. Please, and they remained motionless. 

The man, not expecting such behavior from them, stopped walking, looked into their eyes, took a deep sigh.

 And - "Did you both secure the first rank in your class??"

He repeated - "Did you both secure the first rank in your class??"

Needless to say, this question had the desired impact, they both hanged their head and started walking quietly ...albeit in a sad manner. They realized, all their arguments will lead them nowhere.

A Proud father began walking ....albeit in a manner suggesting that he has tamed the unruly horse. I wondered if this one question has the potential to damage their self-confidence and dreams.