Bringing Sunshine to the needy lives (882 words)

Amrutha Joseph was on her way home after her usual grocery routine. She preferred shopping daily for three simple reasons: she couldn’t carry heavy loads, she liked buying fresh produce, and most importantly, she combined it with her afternoon walk. A smart and independent woman in her fifties, Amrutha lived alone and enjoyed her quiet routines.

As she strolled under the soft afternoon sun, a sudden jolt broke her rhythm. A boy, no older than nine, dashed into her, nearly knocking her over. She stumbled, but quickly regained her balance. In that split second of chaos, the boy snatched her grocery bag and tried to run away. But Amrutha, alert and quick, caught him by the collar before he could escape.

The boy immediately broke down, his defiance crumbling into desperation. Dirty, thin, and clad in an oversized, torn shirt, he looked like he hadn’t bathed in days. His matted hair had never seen scissors. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he pleaded, “Please, forgive me. My mom and little sister haven’t eaten for two days. I couldn’t watch them starve. I know it’s wrong, but I didn’t know what else to do. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this.”

A few passersby had begun to gather, curious about the commotion. One of them asked, “Did he do something to you, madam?”

Amrutha looked around and said firmly, “No, he’s a relative of mine. Everything is fine.” Then, without waiting for more questions, she took the reluctant boy by the hand and led him to her home.

Once there, she directed him to wash up at the backyard tap. When he returned, cleaner but still visibly shaken, she served him a hot, hearty lunch, whatever she had cooked for herself.

As the boy ate, she asked gently, “What is your name? Why can’t your mother or sister work? And honestly, you don’t seem like someone starving the way you ran from me. What’s your real story?”

The boy wiped his mouth and said, “My name is Rajni. What I said is true.

“Wow! A great name," Amrutha laughed.

“My mom is too sick to work, and my sister is just five. Dad has deserted us. I try to survive by picking up scraps from roadside stalls. Sometimes, people give me leftovers or biscuits. I know what I did was not right, but hunger makes you do things you never imagined.”

Amrutha looked at him, her heart softening. “From tomorrow, come here early in the morning. You can help me with the chores. I’ll enrol you in school and pay you a small salary for your help. You can go home by six every evening. Agreed?”

The boy’s eyes widened in disbelief. He nodded silently, his mouth still full.

That night, Amrutha felt a sense of purpose she hadn’t felt in years. She had perhaps saved someone from a path of darkness.

True to his word, Rajni arrived at 7 a.m. sharp the next morning. Amrutha had a barber give him a haircut and gave him new clothes to wear. She enrolled him in a nearby school, and Rajni helped her with the chores before heading to class. Everything seemed to be falling into place.

But on the third day, a commotion stirred outside her home. A few people stood arguing, and a police constable knocked on her door. “Ma’am,” he said respectfully, “this woman claims you’ve kept her neighbour’s son here forcibly and aren’t letting him come home.”

Amrutha was stunned. “What nonsense is this? The boy leaves every evening at six. Ask him yourself.”

The constable turned to the boy, who stood beside her. “Is that true? Do you go home every evening?”

Rajni looked down and replied quietly, “I leave here at six, but I don’t go home. I sleep in the marketplace.”

Amrutha’s face tightened with confusion. “Why didn’t you go home like I told you? Have you lied to me all along?”

“No, ma’am,” Rajni said, trembling. “If I go home without money, I’ll be forced to steal, snatch, or worse. I can’t bear to see my mom and sister hungry. But I promised you I wouldn’t do those things again. So, I didn’t go home. I thought… maybe when you give me my salary, I can take it to them. Then I’ll go back.”

Tears welled up in Amrutha’s eyes. She cupped his cheek and said, “You sweet boy. You kept your promise at such a young age. I have failed in overlooking this problem.” She turned to the police and the woman and told them, “He’s been helping me, studying in school, and eating here. No force. Only kindness.”

She handed Rajni his wages in advance. “Go give this to your mother. Go home with pride that you are honest, earning and studying too.”

On second thought, she chose to accompany Rajni. His mother broke down in tears upon seeing him, hugging him tightly. When Rajni narrated the happenings, Amrutha saw the relief and gratitude in her eyes and the sparkle of hope kindled again.

As Rajni and his mom embraced, the church bell rang loud and clear across the town, as if its chimes echoed a divine approval.

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”