Old Beggar

Fatima and her kids were excited and were getting ready for the movie. They did not want to get late even by a moment as such opportunities seldom came in this family.

Fatima lived with her husband Salim and their 6 children in a small village. The family had limited resources as Salim, a government school teacher, was the only earning member in the family. In the household with 8 members and meagre income, watching a movie was a big deal. Naturally, everyone was getting ready on ‘war-footing’. However, with 5 females, the party was running slightly late.

Salim had called two cycle-rickshaws. Four elder kids ran and boarded one of the rickshaws. Fatima was busy in ensuring that the house was properly locked. With every passing moment, the group was becoming increasingly anxious and agitated.

Finally, Fatima stepped out of the house, much to the delight of the advance party. Just when she was busy in locking the front door, someone came and stood near her. Fatima turned and looked at a pale-looking, old beggar. The old man looked extremely helpless. He was wearing dirty, torn and smelly cloths. He was obviously homeless and it seemed that he had not eaten in days. Yet, he had a smile on his face.

He asked in a soft voice, “kucch khane ko dengi? Do din se kucch khaye nahi hain(would you give something to eat. I have not eaten in two days)”. Fatima was really agitated and she angrily said, “arre abhi to hum sab cinema dekhne jaa rahe hain (we are all going to watch a movie)”

The old man did not show any disappointment on hearing this. He just shook his head in a manner to say he is sorry for disturbing them at a wrong time. He looked concerned that the group may miss some precious minutes of the movie because of him. He stepped back a little as if to give way to Fatima. Just when Fatima was crossing him, he managed a smile and said “hum yahin intezaar karte hain, aap log cinema dekh aaiye (I will wait here, you all go and watch the movie)”

Fatima kept walking but these words had hit her like a thunderbolt. Confused, she boarded the rickshaw. The two rickshaws started to crawl. Fatima looked at the old man, who was getting ready to lie down on the verandah. He was barely able to walk properly and was struggling to get down. Fatima kept looking at the old man till it was possible.

His words kept haunting Fatima. She closed her eyes and started to think that here is an old man who is hungry and is waiting on her doorsteps for her to return from the movie and give him something to eat!!! Would it not be cruel on her part to keep him waiting for another 3-4 hours? What has made the old man to wait on her doorsteps? After all, she gave him an agitated response. Yet he sensed that he will get something from this door. What if he cannot wait any longer and goes away to try somewhere else? Will she be able to ever overcome that guilt? What if the old man does not survive? She opened her eyes and decided that she must give the old man something to eat right away. She ordered the rickshaw-pullers to return to the house. The children could not believe their ears!!!

As soon as they reached the house, Fatima got down and went running to the old man. He was lying still. Worried, she bent and shook him. The old man opened his eyes and smiled. He asked “cinema khatam ho gaya (Is the movie over)”? Fatima smiled and said “haan, cinema khatam ho gaya (yes, the movie is over)".