Whether you agree or not, all of us "fortunate" people of this world go about with the least care and we aren't concerned about the millions of people out there starving and getting sucked by the amplified black hole of poverty. I'm no different. I admit that I take my privileged life for granted, and I'm one of the pickiest eaters that exist in the world. However, I'm well aware of the world's reality, and I have always tried to control myself before it could be too late.One fine day recently, I was eating burger from a street stall in New Road along with my mother. As I was happily eating, I felt someone pulling my t-shirt. When I looked down, I saw a girl almost half my age, with a curious calmness settled in her brown eyes. When our eyes met, she meekly requested, "Didi, malai bhok lagyo. Tyo tapaile khairako dinu na."
That voice echoes in my ears even today. I couldn't say anything to the little girl right away. I remember feeling deep sympathy towards her while wondering how there could still be such destitute people in the world. I was lost in the calmness of her eyes, the sound of her voice, and the fairness of her skin. That little girl was beautiful.
When I finally broke my gaze from her eyes and looked around, I saw more children like her all around New Road overshadowed by the crowd of people like us. I glanced at people around me—nicely dressed, eating good food, and laughing. Then I looked back at that girl—half-naked, hungry, and so skinny that one could trace each and every bone constituting the small frame of her body. This made me deeply sad.
The little girl was still looking at me hopefully, because unlike other people, I hadn't yet shooed her away. I wondered about the kind of life she leads, her dreams, her family, her idea of happiness and future.
I asked my mother to buy her a burger. My mother did that happily, and as I offered her that burger, our eyes met again. This time I saw happiness shine through her eyes. Or maybe it was the reflection of my own happy heart. As she started eating, I saw happiness and hope light up her face. That made me experience a bliss I hadn't felt in a long while.
That day I realized how happiness lies in giving selflessly. Most people are far from getting this realization because they're busy running the race of their lives. They don't know how a simple gesture can light up so many hearts and spread hope.
Sometimes in life you come across certain moments that change the way you see things. That moment of for me was that brief encounter with the little girl and her smile. Even today, that smile reminds me of hope and miracle that still exist in this world.
Aishwarya is an A-Level graduate from Chelsea International Academy in New Baneshwar, Kathmandu.
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