Birthday

i woke up that day.. it wasn't any different from other days..sun had already risen and its almost 7 .Ahan today is my birthday.So what ?? i have been living here in this world for 17 years..and yet did the world got anything from me.Whether i live or not will there be a difference? i looked through my mails and sms .There was even a packet from dad and mom and many many birthday cards,Of all colors ,Of all varieties and those sweet messages.. made me smile.. yet ...

As usuall am late to reach school.Some one had already spread the word that it was my birthday.So i was greated with many wishes again.Even the teacher didn't even bothered to scold me for being late.Even while the song "happy birthday to you" filled in classroom, the clouds in my heart didn't got drifted away.Whats so special about this day.I can't see anything unusual... people are celebrating.. but why ?? i can't even understand what good i have done to them ...

The school day went like all other days and i played the football in evening as usual.. dunno why i play ..for fun ??My legs hurt me as i walked back to my home..walking 2 kilometers after an hour and a half of tiring football match is not such a great idea for relief.Thoughts clustered in my mind..Yet even i wasn't sure about what all i was thinking..

Then something just caught attention of my eyes.Quite unnoticed from the crowd a man was searching in a litter box.Out of curiosity i watched what he was doing. A regular rag picker i suppose.well his looks were frightening.he looked dirty and wore a cloth of dirt's color .I stood there watching what he was doing. he don't seem to notice any one..as he was not taking any glass bottles, but was just throwing them aside i was confused... cause rag pickers usually take them..Then i saw a gleam on his face. i was curious to see what it was.. i looked closely.. a packet of half eaten food thrown away by some one.might have been there for days.even the smell of the garbage would make me close my nose with fingers..the thought of he going to eat it made me feel to vomit..

Another regular picture of poverty. i started walking but something made me stop.what can i do ? some force made me put my hands into my pocket and grab the rupee notes there, father's gift for my birthday.i have already planned to buy the new game disc.. but...some unknown force made me get into the near by hotel and order a parcel.i took it and started towards the man.. my footsteps made him notice me. he looked back..i froze..but when i saw his eyes all i could see

was fright .. he gazed at me.i offered the package..he came to me in slow steps looking closely at me.at last he was in a hand reach..suddenly he grabbed the package and started to run .i watched him vanishing in the distance and then i started walking back to my home..

At home it was unusually silent..i opened the door..and then there was a happy birthday wish in unison.. i smiled. birthday surprise!!!.i could see the smiling faces of my parents ,brother and my friends. i was guided to the cake..while i was blowing off the candles i made my wish, "may the suffery in the world decreases and people start to understand and help each other so no one have to live in poverty".That day, The birthday the cake tasted extra sweet even though it was all same as last year's and that night for once i slept peacefully, satisfied with thought that

finally i did one useful thing to the world..

"it's not that you have to do many things.. but the mind and the situation that make your help valuable to the world.."

disclaimer:- this is not a true story though it resembles some parts of my life.