The story of Pappu...

How many of you know Pappu? This guy can sing and dance though!  Our paths have crossed so many times that i know him personally now. Well he also lives near my house. He is almost a friend; at times he even  has the morning cuppa with us. You see, the wife has almost taken a fancy to him.

Surprising that you still do not recognize him. Does the name not ring a bell? Ok..ok let me tell you more about him. Pappu delivers the morning newspaper, brings in the milk, does the odd job, at times even fetches the kids from school. He also works at a tea stall, at times you can also spot him at the railway station as the shoe-shine boy.

Hmm..now i see you beaming. You remember him right, don't you? Yes, yes i know he is the one who deposits your monthly bills, harangues with the local rationwala on the demerits of adulteration, gets the groceries for you, and for a tenner would also give you a hot oil head massage.

But today Pappu is sad. "Coz it is raining outside. It has been pouring since morning and he could not go on his morning errand. Normally Sundays are week offs for him. But such Sundays are far and between. And when he does get one Pappu ensures he lives one to the hilt.

But it does not seem the usual Sunday. The sky has been overcast since morning. While going to bed he had sent a silent prayer heavenwards. But when is it that Pappu's prayers were answered?  He prayed when the local goons forcibly took away his sister. He again prayed when his mother was terminally ill. The last time he prayed was when the local politician's son ran his car over Pappu's sleeping father. The attorney backed by all the expensive education he had acquired asked " but why was the man sleeping on the pavement..?"  The politician's son was racing cars after a night of drunken revelry. He lost control over the car and Pappu lost his father. He had almost stopped praying till the last night. But like they say hope is what makes the world go round!

Yes Pappu hoped that his prayers would be answered this time. If it had not rained Pappu would have got up by 04:30 a.m.(although he is wide awake) and after having a jar of water and the leftovers of last night, would have slung his gunny sack over his shoulder and would have gone to the nearest garbage ground.

Did I see a grimace on your face? The yuck factor. You see these expressions are privy to the nouveau riche; what business do they have with the poor? For Pappu the garbage ground is like second home. Even before he could understand the strange ways of world he understood hunger pangs. This was the same place he would frequent when hunger become unbearable. For some one like Pappu the only place you can least expect a square meal a day is our discards.

Okay so let me tell you Pappu at times is the neighborhood scavenger. He rummages through garbage for plastic, polythene bags, old metal scraps, at times even food. If he is lucky to get a a good haul it might fetch him a  few hundred rupees at the local  kabariwala. 

But are you wondering what will Pappu do with the money? No no he will not gamble or spend it frivolously.  His need his more than anyone else. I am sorry if i make bold on that. Pardon me for my audacity. But the fact of the matter is Pappu badly needs the money. He is saving it for the treatment of his brother who is a paraplegic.

But today Pappu is still tossing in his bed. It is almost 07:00 a.m.and has started to brighten up with the morning light gaining control over the darkness of the night. This play of light over darkness...who know must have something hidden for Pappu. The rain has still not relented. Pappu finally gets out his bed and starts to pace up and down his little shanty. In between he keeps glancing now and then at his brother. He somehow cannot take his eyes off the serene face of his sleeping brother. He loves him more than anyone or anything in the world.

He quickly gets ready, slings the gunny bag over his shoulder and steps out. He remembers something and re-enters the room, bends down and kisses his brother's forehead. He is then out in a jiffy.

Well what is now going to happen is not something extra-ordinary. It is a common sight on Indian roads especially in areas where it rains incessantly. In fact it is so mundane that it hardly merits a dekko! Pappu who by now reaches the streets has in him a new vigor. With his pajamas rolled up to his knees and his sleeves folded he is a busy man. He waves frantically to the passing cars. They seen to be moving with trepidation lest they might get stuck in the water logged streets. 

Pappu has been waiting for this. He rushes to one such car which has got stuck in spite of the best intentions of the driver. You could see him in knee deep water pushing the car out of the puddle. The driver happy to be out of the situation offers him money which Pappu coyly accepts. Well the rain has been a blessing in disguise for Pappu; he is going to have a busy day in office today.

So that is the story of Pappu the man with the indomitable spirit. A man whom circumstances could not cast their ugly shadow. A man whom doubt could not bend.. His spirit, his resilience, his never say die attitude in the face of adversity is the stuff legends are made of.  But Pappu is an unsung legend. No one dare write or talk about him for fear of attracting ridicule. You see he is no news maker. He is just an ordinary guy trying to fathom the inscrutable ways of the world. 

Meanwhile the rains have stopped. 

Seems his prayers have been answered at last!