My daily walk to school

I could not open my eyes though the daylight had already poured in. I explained my exhausted body that Perhaps I will sleep early tonight. Last night I could not manage. I had to finish my studies and I had also promised my cousin brother Devan bhai that I will wash out the dungs off the floor of his cow shed. I did that last night and perhaps I will study less today and have a good night sleep. I will sleep more than 5 hours. Yes, that will certainly take away the fatigue I am feeling now!

As, I prepared myself to help my mind get control of my body, I remembered there is a hell lot to do today. It was 5 AM and the air was pretty lazy but then I gathered myself to start my day.

I worked out with the neem sticks that cleared the pinches of dirt out of my mouth and I loudly goggled them out with the hand pump water. At 7 Am sharp masterji wanted me in the class. I never wanted to irate him but the school was 7 kilometers away, I could have always reached in time if I had one of those slippers that the son of mukhiaji used to wear. Even if he did not need those since his servant used to leave him at school by bicycle. I could have run faster with those slippers on! I could have always reached in time. However, masterji always showed interest in teaching me then daunting me for being late. He knows my father, who is a renowned astrologer in the village. And though masterji’s village is 2 villages away, he has this faith in my father that he allows me to learn and that though I am generally late but I can tell that my enthusiasm for learning has never missed his eyes!

Today I won’t be late. I am finished with all my work and I only need a little breakfast. A sweet mango from the orchid would suffice. Talking to myself, planning the day ahead, I was suddenly stopped by Devan bhai’s strong remarks- Birju! What the hell are you up to! You are going to studies this early? What do you want to do in life? Chase big dreams and loose! Or take a small leap by learning cultivation and stuff ! Be a successful farmer! C’mon go and prepare food for the ox. We will go to farms then, once the oxen are ready!

I couldn’t stop myself following his words. After all I was a 12 year old boy with little resources at my father’s footstep. I was born fourth among my brothers. I have looked upon my two elder brothers like my father. Being attached to my father, I followed his each word like those words were inscribed on my mind. I have always feared his eyes. I need never hear orders from his lips. His eyes were enough for me to follow.

This inculcation of respect for elders stopped me from replying to Devan bhai, who was pretty older than me. So I followed, however I wanted to tell him- "I am a creature of unbeatable attitude brother! I will not stop, come what may. That I’ll stand by my loved one’s and I’ll still achieve my goals too. I’ll never say no." Engrossed in my thoughts, I realized my fingers were bleeding from the cuts of the grass cutter! I ignored them since I knew I can still reach the classes in time if I hurry. So I hurried. Applied soil on the wounds and hurried with Devan bhai to the fields. The ox’s were fast with their early morning diet so we reached fields before 6:30. Now, in few minutes, I’ll slip by, when Devan bhai is engrossed in the field work!

The sun is up early today or am I late? Will I reach my classes on time? With my slate and bag of books, I was running at my peak, I had been crossing field by field in a hurry but still I think, I would be late today. I am happy that God has given me a father who understands education. I think knowledge is a necessary tool to carve a bright future. Even if I become a farmer, education will make me a wise farmer. Although, I adore masterji, and aspire to be like him some day. It is really fulfilling to let others know what you know, to impart in others everything you have.

I think that I have reached near the school because my legs are hurting exactly the way it hurts every day after this run. Drenched in sweat, I must first visit the well nearby because masterji’s regard for cleanliness is well known. As I drank the water and cleaned my clothes and legs to reach the class, the tiredness melted away with the water and thrust for the knowledge. This is not an irony that every kid is not born with a silver spoon but it would really be an irony for me if some day my kid will also have to run to his school like me. That will mean my generation will be stagnant and I will not let that happen. We will learn and grow generation upon generation and create a healthier and prosperous world, for our forefathers are watching us from the heaven and looking forward to us!