Just A Wish

Now, now. Don’t altogether think just because the story is titled wish, it will be that of a rich brat.

This is about Hari, hardly 9 years old and the third son of a sweeper. No, no, he doesn’t want to go to school and study. His father can obviously not afford it and he has accepted it. Most importantly, he is not interested in the thick books and the weird teachers.

What he wants most, is to be able to sit on the swing in the playground opposite his house.

It is yet another day. Hari is standing near the playground. The rich kids are playing on the swings. Its going back and forth and back again. The kids are enjoying themselves and Hari is watching them. He just wants to go once and sit on the swing and laugh just like the brown haired kid. He is oblivious of the fact that someone is eyeing him from a distance and thinking what is this menace doing in this high society area.

Well, Mrs Das couldn’t contain herself for long. She was watching him everyday for a month and he scared her. She didn’t want this shit covered boy anywhere near her kids.She came and shooed Hari away.

Just like we shoo away street dogs who try to get closer to us. Its not the dogs fault. They are just following their whim. Maybe they wouldn’t do anything but we are scared they might bite us. But Hari was not a dog. He was a kid who just wanted to have a go on the swing.Well, he went away but his resolve to sit on the swing strengthened. It was night and his urge grew stronger. So when finally he thought everyone was asleep, he tip toed out of his house.

The playground was just around the corner but the gates were closed. Hari looked here and there and when he was sure that there was not a person in sight, he climbed the gates.

It was like being inside heaven’s gates. He could see the swing in front of him. Finally, his desire to swing would be fulfilled. Finally, his wish would be granted. He ran towards the swing with elated heart. Yes, he was happy, He was very happy and eager to have the air rush around him just back and forth and back and forth.

And a harsh sound emanated around him. He wasn’t even able to sit properly and the sound made him stand right up. It was the society guard. Can’t remember when this guy was ever awake. A thief could have come and gone but Mr Hooda would not have got up from his slumber. Of course, he was tipped off by someone.

He beckoned Hari to come out of the playground. Hari with his feet shaking, climbed back through the same gate. All elation long gone.

“So , who the hell are you?” the guard barked. Hari didn’t answer. Just looked at the guard with a blank look. He continued, ”A thief? Trying to get into the society and murder people and take away their belongings?. Hari felt his throat dry and a small “No Sir, I just came to swing” came out of his mouth.

At this point, the guard had enough of this nonsense. How dare a ragged boy enter this society and defile it. He would make an example of this boy. On and on the stick fell on the scrawny boy. The guard didn’t even stop at the sight of the bloody vest of the sweeper’s boy. In the end, he just left him lying there, unconscious.

Somewhere on the balcony of the 2nd floor, someone was feeling extremely satisfied. Now, Mrs. Das need not worry regarding a pest infiltrating her high society area. Who cares if some boy bled out on the street below. After all, you should only wish for things you can have. You should not try to extend your legs more than your quilt.

Moral of the story: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. So crush their wishes, and if you cant, crush the beggars instead.#Sarcasm.