The rusty, worn out cart on four wheels pulled off on the roadside. Couple of grayed out green buckets, a gas stove, a few steel plates, knives and steel glasses found their places quickly on the makeshift diner. The lady lighted the stove and her first cauldron of hot coffee was up in the making. Passers by and auto drivers made short stops and grabbed the idli-vada, and rice-pav combo, washing them down with hot coffee. While the lady dished out the hot dishes one by one, her husband managed the front office, collecting cash and tending out change. The little girl standing beside her mom, was reading out a lesson from her English reader. Closing her book, she dashed out occassionally to do the dishes and filling the wash area with water. She would rush to the nearby primary school when the clock hits a quarter to 9 to be back before the evening rush hours.
The NGO that we are part of ran a connect the dots drive to meet several children in the city's government primary schools and their parents. Prizes were distributed to the top performers in each class and also to those excelled in co-curricular activities. Much to my surprise, the little girl, who am so familiar with, made her presence twice on stage, bagging the topper award for class V and another first prize for water coloring. Her parents clapped in excitement from the front row, misty eyed and beaming with pride.
And BTW, her poem appeared in a popular national daily in their children's section!
Meals on the wheels is still a hit, and the little girl continues to be a brilliant multi-tasker, waiting for her day to come..
Did I say the title of the poem read 'Dreams on the wheels' when translated?
Best
Roy
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