Maalik!: Conclusion

 

Last year, I wrote about a small kid whom I came across in our village and I was touched by the way he greeted me with so much respect. After that, I came across him 2-3 more times and now I have finally found the secret behind the kid!

A few months ago, the kid came visiting our home again and he brought two of his other friends with him. All were so small; and kids of this age always secretly remind me of my son. So, he was showing “me” to his friend and telling him something while looking at me. As soon as I caught their eye, they would try to run away. I could not understand what was happening and why they were so curious about me. So, the mystery which started last year, continued.

For once, I flattered myself with the imagination that perhaps he was baby Bhagwan Krishna checking up on me!

Next time again, he came with two of his friends. This time, my father saw then wandering around our home and asked what they wanted. He replied that they had come just to greet us! Well, that seemed to be their “formula” and it was again so sweet.

Next time, the mystery was finally solved. This time, I was sitting at our verandah alone and I saw the same kid slowly walking up to me. He came near the door and said something. I asked him what it was about; he answered again and I still could not understand him. So, I went near him and asked again. “Chocolate”, he said. So, for all these days, he wanted chocolates from me?! I asked him to wait, went inside our home and brought few pieces of Cadbury Gems and gave those to him. He collected all pieces in his hand and I noticed that he had such tiny hands!

One of my uncles saw this episode and asked what was happening and I told him that it was some random village kid asking for chocolate, so I have just given him some.

He came back after a week or so, in a hot summer afternoon. He again caught me sitting in the verandah; and asked me the same as last time and I brought remaining pieces of Gems again for him which he collected in his tiny hand. He went away quickly after getting it.

So, how did I feel? On one hand, I was a bit disappointed that he was just “using me” to get chocolates. But given the sweet little boy he was, I did not mind being used like that. On the other hand, again there was a bit of disappointment that he was not baby Krishna after all! That I can’t be sure about, since all kids are godly. Just like we can’t have real two-way conversation with God and all we can do is to feel and hope, we can also not have a real conversation with small kids and all we can do is to feel the bundle of love and affection they are made of and reciprocate. I also wondered if he would keep coming back to look for me even after I am gone and would be disappointed at not finding me.  

Thus concludes a mysterious encounter with a curious little angel boy.  

- Rahul Tiwary