Keep Calm, Let KARMA finish it

I was attending a Photography walk-a-thon on the streets of Kolkata. We were a team of around 8 people. Everyone was desperately searching for some good photo shoot areas while we were walking near the streets of babu ghat in Kolkata. As everyone was searching for some unique places to click beautiful pictures, I was also looking for some nice frames which could help me win the Photography walk-a-thon competition. I went alone to a street, where I saw a boy ( must be 12-13 years old ) who was selling balloons near the street. I became happy seeing him because the location he was sitting in was perfect for my frame. I started setting the Tripod, in the meanwhile a car came.

There were two guys and two girls sitting in that car ( It was Hyundai i20 ). The girl who was sitting next to the guy driving the car asked the balloon boy for 10 balloons, the boy became so happy he gave them a discount of Rs 2 per balloon as they were purchasing 10 balloons. I was around 100 meters away from the scenario. I saw the balloon boy was happily taking out balloons and handing it one by one to them.

As he was handing the last balloon to them, I could feel the happiness on his face as he was going to get Rs 80 at once for which he may have to stay whole day on the streets on some cruel days.

But suddenly I saw the balloon guy shouting and crying on the road. I did not see what exactly happened. I just saw the car going at full speed and this little boy crying and shouting. I was almost ready for my shot and look what I got captured!! Cruel? isn’t it?

I went to the little boy to ask him about the complete story what exactly happened. He responded to me in a low voice, ” They took ten of my balloons, and they did not pay me the money, they just ran away. ” Then he started crying so loudly, I could feel the pain.

I felt disgusted to live in a society where a person who wants to earn money honestly but people who have every facility available doesn’t let him earn. I felt sad. I couldn’t say him anything.

After some time when I was a bit sorted I asked the boy about the price of the balloons they took? He said ” Rs 100 but as I was giving them a discount, I asked only for Rs 80 “. He was still upset and he was left with only two three balloons. I took out a 100 rupee note and tried to give him as a compensation for his loss. He refused to take it and what he answered blew my mind.

Sir, ye main nahi le sakta. ye aapke paise hain. aapne bhi bohot mehnat se kamae honge ye paise.

(Sir, I can’t take this. This is your money. You must have worked hard for this.)

I was stunned by looking at the reply of a 12-year-old boy. how can he give such a mature answer? I again insisted him to take the money but he refused me.

Then I asked him for a balloon and handed him the 100 rupee note.

He smiled and said Thank you.

Lesson:

• Money is not the only thing that can bring you happiness. Sometimes it is such replies that bring so much respect and happiness.
• Do not take advantage of people who are weak or poor, instead give them love and respect, if not money.
• If a person is poor, doesn’t mean he is always ready for your charity. They also have self prestige. They also want to earn money, but by doing hard work day in day out.
• Being rich doesn’t always make you a good human being. Learn to respect every individual you meet whether he is rich or poor.
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PS: I really hope from the bottom of my heart that those guys and girls who did not have Rs 100 to pay to the poor kid will be taken care of by KARMA. Life is very small, everything comes back.

Attachments: The picture shows so much pain. I was unfortunate to take the picture of that kid at the moment he refused to take my money. The satisfaction in his eyes reflected the amount of hard work he does everyday!