Slice Of Life... Part-3

"My ambition in life is to become a Rickshaw driver", said Priya.

"Are you kidding me?", asked Shruti.

"No, his essay seriously read that", Priya answered.

Priya and Shruti were having a conversation over a coffee table, after Priya was done with her teaching job. Priya was a teacher in BMC school, where a lot of students used to come from a poor background. As a part of the syllabus, Priya made her students studying in second grade, write an essay about their goals and ambitions in life. Ravi, one of her students, wrote his ambition to be a rickshaw driver. Shocked by reading his essay, Priya decided to have a word with him over this. She called Ravi in teacher's room. 

"Ravi, did you write this essay on your own or somebody else helped you??", asked Priya.

"Yes Madam, I only wrote it", Ravi replied innocently.

Priya was totally confused.

"What your father's profession?", inquired Priya.

"He is a Rickshaw driver", replied Ravi with a pride. 

Priya thought for a while and smiled with herself and asked Ravi to leave. He left.

(Back to the coffee table)

"HE IS A RICKSHAW DRIVER explains it all", said Priya, trying to explain Shruti, in short. But Shruti couldn't get it. She asked for explanation. 

Priya went on," See, Ravi is a small kid studying in grade two. At this point of time, he don't see the world as we do. He is very innocent. He has not seen the world yet and for him, his father is his role model. Everyday he watches his father driving rickshaw and like every other child, he too wish to be like him."

"Don't you think it was your duty to correct him?", asked Shruti.

"What??" Priya asked in amaze. Shruti repeated her question.

"Correct him for what Shruti?? Correct him for the mistake he didn't do?? Shruti, tell me, is speaking your heart out in an essay is wrong?", asked Priya.

"No", replied Shruti.

"That's what I am saying Shruti. That small boy poured his heart in that essay. Actually he didn't want to become a rickshaw driver,he wished to act like his dad. His dad is his hero. Isn't it so sweet & cute?" Priya questioned. "This is the reason you are a good teacher, you explain so well", said Shruti, taking a sip from her cup.

"Shruti, we only teach them to speak truth, so why scold them if they speak it. And as Ravi will grow up, he will be strong enough to take his decisions and decide his ambitions. Am I correct??", asked Priya.

"Yes, even I once wrote my ambition to be a princess", she smiled.

"Oh my god, lets leave we are already late for show...", said Priya as the wall clock behind Shruti came to her sight. Shruti and Priya finished off their coffee and went for the movie show they already planned, paying the bill & leaving few bucks as a tip to the waiter. 

Everyday, every coffee table witnesses such conversations and debates. Some are sweet, while some are bitter. Everyone have their role models in life. Ravi's hero was his father. No profession is big or small. Every other profession adapted to support one's family is respectable. But, why aim low... was Shruti's question. Priya recognized the innocence in Ravi. Time is the game changer in every situation...Time changes caterpillar into butterfly... Don't make life complicated by thinking too much... Just...
"KISS YOUR LIFE BEFORE DEATH HUGS YOU......"

P.S.:- BMC- Brihan Mumbai Corporation.

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