I was a spoilt brat(still am) , adamant and rebellious! Just like almost any, to-be teenager. I used to be very fussy about many things, especially the lunch my mom packed for school. Being a working woman, she found it hard to meet my end of demands of a proper lunch which would meet my liking. One fine day, I decided I would not eat if my lunch was the same old curd rice with pickle. I though, "What the hell? My friend's mom managed to cook fried rice and noodles for her almost everyday and I get just curd rice or sambar rice?"
We all know that curd, once kept out for a long time, has the tendency to turn sour and not so good to eat or even smell. I just got down from the school bus and had to walk a few meters to reach home when suddenly my mom's words popped into my head. "Come home one more time without eating your lunch, I'll make sure you will starve for two days." I used to think "Oh my god! Why does she have to make a big fuss out of this? It's just food and that too curd rice which is turned out all sour and smelly!" I ran to the nearby dustbin (Yes I'm environment friendly) to clear the box so that I don't get shouted at by mom. I was almost about to throw it when I heard a voice, loud and crystal clear "AKKA!" A boy even younger than me with torn clothes, came running as fast as he could and said "No don't throw it away. Please let me eat it." I said "It's spoilt. It wont taste good." What he said and did just made my heart skip a beat. "It's okay even of its spoilt. Its still food. I have not eaten for two days. Can I please have it?" I handed over the lunch box very hesitantly to that kid. He ate like he was seeing food for the first time. I had so much of guilt and there was this lump in my throat that i found hard to swallow. In two minutes he had eaten it all. I flashed him a teary smile and the smile he returned, it can still be picturised clearly in my mind. Happy, innocent and content. They say when you smile from your heart, it will be shown on your face. That moment, I realised what it truly meant.
What I promised to myself was, I would never waste food no matter I like it or not. I was fortunate enough to have a mother who made sure I was well fed and NEVER starved. As for the boy, I handed him out a bar of chocolate which I had saved for myself. He flashed that amazing smile again and left me spell bound. I still at times get reminded about that boy when I eat curd rice. (something that I relish now) I always wonder, what he'd be doing right now. From waking up each day to a comfortable place to sleep at night, I say thanks for all those little things that enable me to have a good life.
