bookwallah

Ever since Diwali (India’s “Festival of Lights”), the kids at Handmaids of Blessed Trinity were kept busy with various extra curricular activities and the holiday season festivities.  As a result, our visits the last few months were less frequent.

I was so excited to see them after what seemed like a long time.  I stepped into the library, selected the book “Mr. Cheerful” from the little Miss & Mr. series, and was about to select another one when the girls from HBT barged into their little library. The next ten minutes seemed like a typhoon just hit the bookshelves! The kids were frantically jumping over each other, trying to get to the books they wanted to read (or be read to).  Pulling and pushing and a fair amount of acrobatics kept me rooted to my spot! I cautioned, warned, and scolded them lest they hurt themselves. The girls calmed down after each one of them had at least three books in their hands.  They finally settled down to turn the pages and imagine the storyline.

I just sat and watched their expressions. While some pictures made them smile, others made them laugh, and still others left them confused and bewildered.  I was happy they missed the books and our sessions.

Gradually, they looked up and acknowledged my presence.  It was then I began to read. They managed to sit through the story, but as soon as I finished, the floodgates opened! Each one wanted to talk about something that had happened at home or in the various competitions at school while Little Ujjaini just sidled up close to me.

The girls had choreographed a dance and were super excited to perform it for me. Chairs were put away in a jiffy and the space was cleared for the dancers to make their entry! They chose a very popular song from a recent Hindi film called “Chikni Chameli” (or “item number” as we refer to it in Bollywood). Their little bodies began dancing while their lips moved in sync with the music and lyrics. I was astounded. Little Kajal danced in such earnestness that it was difficult to believe she was only five years old!

While all the girls huddled close together to watch them dance, Little Ujjaini quietly reached out and clasped my hand. She obviously had missed the human touch.

By Nikhil Kaweshwar, Guest Author.  Some incidents in the journey of life leave their mark so deep in your heart that they go with you to your grave.  It is rightly said that the feeling of satisfaction is the real earning of life.   Small incidents often leave deep imprints.  During one of my visits to Balgram, where we have a Bookwallah Library, one such incident has been stamped in my memory.

This incident occurred when another non-profit organization visited Balgram to arrange a fun filled day of competitions, events, chocolates, and gifts for the kids.  When we (Bookwallah volunteers) reached Balgram at our regular time, the kids spotted us and immediately ran up to us.  They were eager to show their gifts and wanted us to open them.  They insisted on sharing their chocolates and would not stop until we accepted.  This incident really stunned me. Even kids who have access to life’s many gifts will not easily share, but these kids who had so little were so keen to give what they had just received.   They were so immersed in our company that they did not go back to the fun and games that were being conducted by the other organization.  They wanted us to open the library to start our fun-filled reading session.

The children I’ve come to know get attached to those they love so easily.  Their search for us, their DIDIs and BHAIYAs, every weekend and their love and affection are indications of their pure heart.  While it may take time to see their academic progress, I realized on this particular day that our efforts were well worth it.  Because, ultimately life’s greatest gift, greatest treasure is knowing that what we are providing is something so simple and yet extraordinary.  It is knowing that we have the ability to touch hearts.