The Pillow Seller

I was at the Chennai central railway station the other day. Got in the train, kept my bags and found myself staring outside the window at the passersby and the dogs playing and sleeping around the tea stall. The train was expected to depart from the station after half an hour. The platform was crowded with all sorts of people, from police officials to luggage walas n people selling snacks, pillows, bangles and toys. As I was keeping myself busy with people watching, my attention was drawn towards one particular pillow seller. He was in the middle of his business with a passenger who just got out of the train to take a look at the pillows. The pillow seller filled air into the pillow with his handpump and handed it over to the passenger. I realised that the pillow seller was blind.

The passenger was short of change and had only a 500/- rupee note and gave it to the pillow seller. The pillow seller not knowing the amount of cash he had received in turn asks the man "Sir, itu evlorikku? (translation- Sir, how much is it? )" to which the man replies, " it's a 500/- rupee note.." The blind man makes himself familiar with the 500/- rupee note with his hands. Upon seeing this the man says, "Nejama ithu 500/- roopa than...(translation- Believe me, brother, it really is a 500/- rupee note...)" to which the pillow seller says, "Nanbaren Sir...namakk kadavul nambikaye potum (translation- I believe you Sir...the only thing we need is belief in God)"...and gives him the balance amount. His humble reply kept me thinking as I was getting ready for my journey back home.