The Power of Hope
It was late at night. Lakshman lay awake staring at the ceiling. He was worried about the mounting expenditures. Selling tea at the nearby park did not fetch him much money. It merely helped him put food on the table for his family. Lakshman looked at the sleeping form of his little son and sighed ‘’ Never mind, tomorrow is another day!’’
Next morning, Lakshman woke up to heavy rains. As he started getting ready for work, his wife stopped him, “How can you go out in this rain?”
“Well, I can’t sit at home. I need to earn.”, snapped Lakshman. He then gathered his tea equipment and stepped outside. There was no use going to the park. Instead, he went in the direction of the few office buildings located at a distance, only to find them closed. His heart sank. He was about to retrace his steps when he heard a loud explosion.
Surprised, Lakshman turned around and saw a black SUV smashed into a tree on the opposite side of the road. He ran fast and found the lone driver slumped over the steering wheel with blood gushing out from the side of his face. Lakshman quickly located the man’s phone and dialled 100.
Within minutes, a police car and an ambulance arrived at the spot.
“He is breathing”, said one of the paramedics and rushed the injured driver to the hospital.
One of the policemen approached Lakshman, “We need to take your statement.” The other one pointed towards his canister, “Is that green tea?”
Lakshman nodded.
“Two cups of tea for us then! We could surely do with a hot cup in this damn weather.”
Lakshman was only too happy to oblige.
Next day, the sun came out and brought with it a visitor. Lakshman was astonished to find an old gentleman standing at his doorstep with a big packet in his hands.
“Hello! My name is Dr Suketu Agarwal. I am the father of the young man you saved yesterday. The police gave me your address. I have come here to express my gratitude. Here, this is a small gift for your son.”
Lakshman was dumbfounded. Mutely, he accepted the packet. Never in his dreams had he expected someone like him to come to his shanty. The doctor entered inside and looked around. He then asked, “ What do you do for a living ?”
Lakshman finally found his voice.
“Sir, I sell tea at a children’s park.”
The doctor looked at him kindly and said,
“Well, I have a proposal for you. I run a private nursing home and we are thinking of setting up a tea counter there. Would you like to take up the job? The wages will be much more than what you are earning now.”
Lakshman couldn’t believe his ears. Hadn’t he always wished for such an opportunity? He felt euphoric. It was indeed a new day! A day of new beginnings and dreams!
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