That small act.

As we do in the evenings, I and my 9-year-old son were hanging out in our balcony enjoying the breeze with a steaming hot cup of tea. During lockdowns, the balconies have become the hangout places. 

Its a place where we as a family have a conversation. Share our view on whatever we can see outside. My son pointed out to a small cart that was selling vada pav, a snack people prefer in Maharashtra. Its a good tea time snack. However, there was not much of a crowd on the cart. The cart owner kept waiting for customers to come, prepared with all the necessary items required to cook spicy, hot vadas. 

My son asked me " Dad isn't there a lockdown? Why has he put up a stall now? We aren't eating anything prepared outside, No? " I said "yes, but there are many who can't cook at home, they can have their tea and snack outside. Hmm...but isn't this vada pav seller afraid of corona? he asked. That was a question, I found it very difficult to answer. I was wondering how do I tell him that not everyone is privileged to work from home. Everyone does not have a stable earning source. I told him " He can't sit at home, otherwise he will lose his customer and he won't have any money to survive."

"Hmmm...but what will he do now, the lockdown will start again from Monday and he won't be able to sell during those days?" said my son. I realized that it was a Saturday and from Monday onwards the lockdown was being implemented again because of a spike in the number of corona cases. I couldn't answer anything, but I saw my son murmuring something with his eyes closed. He opened his eyes after some time and smiled at me. I asked him what happened? What were you doing?

He said, "I was praying, I prayed to the god that the vada pav seller should have so many customers in these 2 days and they give him so much of money that he can survive the lockdown".

I was speechless. He smiled again and went inside. What he demonstrated was the innocence, common sense, empathy & kindness that is missing in us, the grown-ups. Our hearts are shrinking and we are becoming self-centered. We have forgotten the basics of being a human. I don't know if the vada pav seller had many customers, neither did my son again enquired about him. As if he did his karma and left it to the god

As we grow up our artificial intelligence takes over emotional intelligence. In such testing times, certainly what we all need is care, respect, and love for each other to sail through. My son just taught that important lesson through his small act of kindness.