The Sticker-Seller

This young chap earned my immense respect for all he has been doing to make his mother happy.

The Sticker-Seller

I am grateful to have those stickers that would always remind me how blessed I am, and how much I learnt from a young chap that night.

Meet my friend, Jevan from Singapore! 

I was searching for a restaurant for dinner and it was already 9 PM. As I was walking briskly towards the market side, I noticed one boy in orange t-shirt. 

As I came closer to him, he very respectfully asked me to buy a pack of stickers from him. At first, I thought of ignoring him as my attention was more on something else than his stickers. 

But then I quickly realized that there was this humble boy with earnest voice and very ordinary looks, looking at me with hope in his eyes; and all this sight of him caught my attention completely. 

For a moment, I forgot the purpose of my visit to the market and got more interested in knowing him a little bit more. 

I asked him if he studies. He politely replied in positive in fluent English. I further asked him if his parents are OK with his idea of selling stickers late night away from his home. He further replied in positive. 

Now, my curiosity was a little heightened and I made a deal with him as I was interacting with him during his 'Business Hours'. In return, I promised him to buy his pack of stickers given he answers my queries (if he is OK with it). 

He readily agreed. Now the interviewer in me made a quick mental list of questions and we started, 

Me: Tell me something about your family. 

He: Few years ago, my father divorced my mother. Since then, I have never seen him. I am the only son. 

Me: How does your family (I mean your mother) manage? 

He: She works as a maid and I also do part-time work in a restaurant after school hours. 

Me: Don't you think you should study at this time rather selling stickers? 

He: Yes Sir, you are right. But my school is closed these days due to vacation and I come here to sell stickers after my part time restaurant job. And I do manage my studies at home during the school hours as school is not open during that time. 

Me: Don't you think your school friends might make fun of yours, if they ever come across you as a sticker-seller. 

He: No Sir, I don't think so. I deliberately come this far from my place and also they might be sleeping by this time. If in case, they ever get to know this; it will actually help me in knowing them better as my friends. 

Me: How? 

He: (with a poise on his face) The way they would treat me after this. 

Me: (quite impressed with his such thoughtful answer) OK. How many stickers do you have in order to sell? And from where did you get the money? 

He: I have 100 packs of stickers that I bought from a shopkeeper. I bought them from my savings that I made during my part time job. 

Me: Don't you think you took a big risk? 

He: (with a smile on his face) Yes Sir. I did. But there is no gain without any risk. 

Me: I am very much impressed by you. You are a great example of hard work, sincerity and dedication. I am sure you will make your parents proud of you one day. 

He: Thank You, Sir. 

Me: All right. One last question. What do you want to do in your life? 

He: I want to make my mother happy. (took a long pause and looked sideways). 

Me: OK friend. Can we have a selfie together? Would you mind if I request your contact detail. 

He: Sure Sir (with a little smile and somewhat wet eyes)! I give you my email address. 

Me: Great! Would love to be in touch with you. 

Thank You, my Singaporean friend!

And then, I realized the market was going to be closed. I hugged him, handed him money after buying a bunch of stickers for my 3 year old son. Though this interaction with him was full of valuable insights for me personally, this young chap earned my immense respect for all he has been doing to make his mother happy. 

Today, if you think your life is full of issues and difficulties; I would rather say to you to give a little pause and reflect over what you already have in life. Sometimes, we tend to forget our blessings and take things for granted. 

I am grateful to have those stickers that would always remind me how blessed I am, and how much I learnt from a young chap that night. 

Thank You, my Singaporean friend!

******

*If you like this blog post and wish to share your experiences/ remarks/ views with me, you are most welcome to write to me at pdpbygauravmisra@gmail.com. Thanks!