Me: You are up early
He : This is regular. Everyday.
Me: Do you catch a lot of fish at this time?
He: I do my best. Sometimes I catch. Sometimes I dont.
Me: You are alone here.
He: In this world we all are. It doesnt matter.
Me: How many children do you have ?
He: Three
Me: What do they do ?
He: They go to the municipal school.
Me: Is it a good school ?
He : I dont know. They go. They come. They are happy. I am happy that they are happy.
Me: Have you considered a big boat ?
He: I have thought about it. I am happy with this. On a good day, I make about Rs.200/-. On a bad, its next to nothing.
Me: You could make much more with a big boat !
He: Your educated mind will tell you so. But I am happy this way. No loans. No folding of hands before some money lender. Just about enough to give the family what it needs.
Pause. Reflective pause. Silence.
He: Just about enough of money. I dont understand you educated people. Running behind money.
Saying so, he lowered the boat into the water and went fishing. I kept looking as his steady rowing took him farther away. Aware that in his matter of speaking, he had brought me closer to myself.
Which is when the phone rang. I had to get back and get ready to participate in the conference. We were to discuss ‘Inclusive growth’ !
12 responses
Brilliant post. I wish you reached back 5 minutes late at the conference ad explained to the chaps as to why .
This guy has fitted in so perfectly as a piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is life, that the lines in the puzzle are actually blurred. We continue to revel in our ability to remain a piece doing a favor to the puzzle, as we discuss “inclusive” stuff….
🙂 A sigh! moment.
We reflect and then we are on our toes 🙂
Insightful indeed!
Not only him, his children must be happier than our children…nice dialogue!
Hmmm…no words.
Life has its little ways of giving lessons thru little experiences such as these. A nice post with a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
What a lovely dialogue, Kavi! Really something to ponder on….
What a lovely dialogue, Kavi! Really something to ponder on….
Nice new look of the blog. 🙂
I am satisfied, the boat I am in! 🙂
Nice! Wondering if you did bring it up at the conference? The assumptions we make about peoples aspirations…Thanks for sharing!
Kavi, Congrats! you are my choice for the “versatile blogger” Award…receive it here:-)
http://ashokism.blogspot.com/2011/12/versatile-blogger.html
Is not easy to content with what we have but possible through cognizant. I see it reflecting through him. He Sounds great and thanks for sharing 🙂