Explore The Magic Of Timeless Tales, Vibrant Cultures, Intelligent Animals And Funny Characters

This is a narrative of hope, initiative and generosity. The story expands our assumptions about the lives of the poor on the urban streets of India. Despite the young boy Ramu’s seemingly ‘impoverished’ state, he is ‘affluent’ in his cheerfulness, resourcefulness and positive thinking. Despite lack of wealth, Ramu is generous and giving. The story emphasises earning money through hard work, not just for one’s own pleasure but to share with others. Ramu’s beautiful gift to his sibling is a story of purpose and affection that will inspire and resonate with young readers.

 Hai Ram! It is so hot today! This season of loo, the unbearably hot and gusty wind, is the most difficult, especially when one has to stand on the pavement and wait for the traffic light to turn red.

The tar is melting under my feet, and I feel like sitting under the shade of that neem tree. But no, I must persist. It will be so special to buy that beautiful doll, so new and lovely in the shiny red sari, for my sister’s birthday.

Gunjan will be so excited. It’s really a prize of a doll—with the bright bindi glinting on her forehead, shimmering bangles and the sparkling jewelled slippers on her feet. I must sell six more cloth dusters soon. If I sell a few more, I’ll have enough money. That clever doll-maker with her nimble fingers has said it will be mine soon.

I am so pleased that I was able to give her one rupee yesterday instead of fifty paise. She’s told me that it will be mine for another two rupees. That doll is so special. I know that Gunjan has been dreaming of a doll for a while now.

Yay! There’s a Maruti car! I like Maruti cars. It’s so much easier to get my hand in through the window since the car is small and the windows are low. Otherwise, I have to bounce up and down to be seen, and then, I could drop my dusters.

Arre! I must stop this daydreaming. That quick- footed fellow Arun has already reached the car.

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Like the saanp in the basket, I’m going to make sure to weave my head back and forth and keep my eyes fastened on the road for a potential customer. I can feel it—today will be my lucky day!

The cars have stopped again. Let me dodge quickly between them. But this time, I must be careful not to trip on a rickshaw’s handlebars. Else, the dusters will touch the grimy metal and become dirty. Who will buy them then?

And when the winds start blowing, there will be a different kind of problem on the roads. All that dust will get in my eyes and stick to the cloth.

‘Memsaab, you buy dusters for car? Very good dusters, Memsaab. They clean so well. Eight rupees a dozen! Clean car well, Memsaab. You buy?’

Oh no! The traffic light is green again! I only have a few hours. I can feel it. Rain is coming, and when it does, it will pour and reduce the flow of vehicles on the street.

But I do like the rain. It washes the dust off my body. I love the feel of the falling water that cools me from this heat; and that fresh smell of the earth ... and the trees during the monsoons are really nice.

Yesterday, I played in the puddles and danced and twirled like a peacock in the rain. But today, I’m not going to splash and spray water from the hydrant on the other kids. Fun can wait. I’m on a mission! Today is for Gunjan. I hope it doesn’t rain again soon.

Here’s a new car with children! It’s good when the car has children in it. They don’t start rolling up the window as soon as they see me running across the road to them.

And they also say, ‘Buy some dusters, Ma!’ or ‘Look Ma, he’s so young and eager!’ And they stare kindly at my sweaty face. Of course, I can run after them, but some drivers speed up so soon that it becomes dangerous chasing cars in the traffic.

Oh, there I go, day dreaming again... and the traffic light has changed!

I better move near the bhutta-wallah on the other side of the road. There definitely seems to be more action on that side. Maybe he’ll give me a cob of corn? Yum. He says that the thin bhuttas that are already drying out at the ends and without too many kernels are not really worth selling. The memsaabs haggle with him too much to lower the price.

I’d better hurry to that side of the street or he’ll throw that corn to the cows. Or to that stray dog that’s always poking around. I hope he’ll let me use his lemon wedge to layer the spicy masala. Corn is so delicious with the salt and chilli powder! My mouth is watering already.

Hey! Why are all the cars slowing down? These car horns make such a deafening sound. People can be so impatient. I think that traffic light is acting up again. Great! A traffic jam! This is my chance to be a clever salesman!

‘Saab! Good dusters for sale! Big dusters! Wipe car well, Saab! Buy now. Good price! Memsaab will be happy, Saab!’

He won’t even look at me. I can’t believe people can be so wooden and stern. It doesn’t matter. Here’s a woman driver. Women are easier. They find it hard to ignore a child.

Memsaab! Dusters. Good cloth dusters! Eight rupees a dozen. For you, six rupees, Memsaab. Buy dusters, Memsaab?’

No change? Now that is an excuse I am familiar with.

Excerpted with permission from 'A Treasure Trove of Timeless Tales’ by Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan; illustrations by Mistunee and published by Red Panda (Westland Books)

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