The Fireworks

Diwali was approaching. Everyone in school was discussing what delicacies their mothers would be preparing for Diwali, and what new varieties of crackers and fireworks had come in the market.

The vacations started a few days prior to the festival. Rohit was visiting the Mathur family with his parents. Mathur uncle asked him “So Rohit! Have you finished shopping for fireworks? When will you start bursting them? Only on the festive days?” Rohit was about to answer that he had not yet bought the fireworks, and that he would be buying them soon, when his mother interfered. She said “Rohit has decided not to play with fireworks this year onward, because it not only causes pollution, but also because child labor is involved in manufacturing these fireworks.

Rohit was upset because his mother had answered on his behalf. But he was all the more upset because of the answer that she had given. Who was she to decide that he would protest against pollution and – what was that – child labor? He did not even know what child labor was.

He was sulky when they reached home. When his mother tried to find out what was wrong with him, he burst out crying and shouting at his mother for the way she had behaved. He said that she should have at least discussed the matter with him before deciding for herself that he would not play with fireworks during Diwali.

His mother realized that it was her mistake. She should not have taken her child for granted. When she went shopping, she bought his favorite fireworks for him. He enjoyed playing with fireworks like every year.

A year passed by. The next Diwali, Rohit still remembered what his mother had said about pollution and child labor. He knew that fireworks cause air and noise pollution. But child labor? He asked his mother “Mom, what is child labor?” his mother explained to him that children from poor families are made to work in factories manufacturing these fireworks. The children are exposed to harmful chemicals in these factories, and most often they are not even paid well enough.

Rohit realized that this is something very serious. He declared “This year onward, I will not buy fireworks to protest against child labor.” And he kept his word. His parents felt proud that he had made such a mature decision.