This is the story of Toru and his brother. We met them last year in a village in Mandi region in India. We were on a family vacation and were driving some 30 kms. from where we stayed, just to shop. That's when we spotted a small boy in a blue shirt and a red sweater, asking for lift. We were just 4 adults in a big, fancy car, so it was easy to accommodate two little boys.
We stopped, they hopped-in happily and smiled shyly. The next 15 minutes spent with them were entertaining and enlightening at the same time.
I ask- 'Aapka naam kya hai?' (What is your name?)
He says- Toru
I smile, It is an unusual name that I have never heard before and sounds like a vegetable that I love-Tori
He says (pointing to the other boy sitting next to him)- 'mere bhai ka naam Ramprasad hai, acha hai na?' (My brother's name is Ramprasad, Isn't it nice?)
(I couldn't stop my laughter. His question was so pure and so innocent, he was so proud of his brother and his brother's name. I envied him for a moment. I didn't even have the guts to ask anyone if my name was nice, let alone my brother or sister.)
I smile and say- "Bahut acha hai" (It is very nice)
He is delighted. Next I ask Toru- 'Kaunsi class mein padhte ho?' (Which class are you in?)
Toru- "Main doosri mein aur mera bhai teesri mein" (I am in 2nd standard and my brother is in the 3rd)
Ramprasad is just smiling shyly in the background.
Me-- "Do you like going to school?"
Toru- Yes, I like studying. We both walk to school everyday and sometimes take a lift too.
Me- What do you want to be when you grow up?
Toru- I want to be a business man just like my father. He owns a shop. He sells sweets, chips and cigarettes.
Me- Thats sounds nice.
Toru- Yes, but my shop would be bigger. I would make more money and I would buy a car.
Me- Which car do you want to buy?
Toru- A van or a Maruti, Red one.
(I thought of all the children around me, how many of them had such clear goals? How many actually realised the value of education? Would even one child that I know personally, be willing to walk several miles to school everyday? In fact, how many of us are half as proud of our families as this little boy is, may it be his brother or his father?) A short meeting with a young village boy had raised so many questions in my head. And I am still seeking the answers..
Me- That sounds really nice. Can I take a picture of the two of you?
Toru (all excited)- Mobile sey? (Will you take it with your mobile phone?)
Me- Yes.
Toru- Le lo didi (Please take it)
And he gave me the cutest smile and so did the otherwise shy Ramprasad :) :D :)
