She must not have been more than 6 years old. Frail and tiny, with unkempt clothes , you would know she shared her space in a shanty, along with the teeming millions who seem to make the footpath their lifelong dwelling !
It was surprising to see her board a ladies first class compartment which was already jostling with people - some reading, some whispering sweet nothings to their boyfriend / husband / ex - whatever.Some more tired office goers on a meditation spree. More looking for that 4th seat (if u know what it means-that end seat on that train seat made for three- or even two depending on the 'volume' occupied). And many of them sleeping with their mouths open - their heads swung back on the seat. And many more yet looking forward to the rest of the night... you see, I told you, the compartment was packed to capacity :)
Yes. But back to this girl. Loads of plastic covers hung from her frail arms, but there was a twinkle in her eyes that shone - something that made most of us take notice. Deftly putting down the bags, and tearing open the covers with her nimble teeth, she opened her wares to us.
The brightest of clips, ribbons, bindis, hair bands - all fit for a princess lay opened in the cardboard boxes and peeped out of the plastic covers.
Swiftly making her way through the crowd, she let the passengers haggle with her. A fleeting glance in the adjoining compartment to make sure her mom was around. And she was ready to bargain, sell and make quick bucks to light the evening fire at home.
Having made purchases for my little one (after bargaining , of course - haggling should be a constitutional birth right for every Indian!!), I quickly got off the train. And as I reached home and opened up the treats, my thoughts kept going back-that girl was a princess herself ! Who would plait her hair, adorn it with clips, and make her look like a princess> her mother? most probably not. She has too many mouths to feed.
And this little one was feeding most of them!
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