Yesterday, I went to a cake shop, and while waiting there, I noticed a small boy, around 8 or 9 years old, selling balloons. His innocent face and the bright colors of the balloons caught my attention, so I casually walked up to him and asked, "How long have you been standing here?"
With a soft smile, he replied, "It’s been around 4 hours."
Surprised, I asked again, "How much have you earned so far?"
He grinned and said, "120 rupees."
Curiosity got the better of me, so I continued, "Don’t you go to school?"
He quickly responded, "I do! I go to school in the morning and sell balloons in the evening."
His words made me pause. I hesitated, but I asked one more question, "What do your parents say about you selling balloons for such a long time?"
The little boy's response left me speechless:
"If I don’t work, they won’t let me go to school."
Hearing this, a wave of emotions overwhelmed me. It struck me how unfair life can sometimes be for children like him, yet his innocent smile showed no signs of frustration or resentment. Without a second thought, I bought three balloons from him—not because I needed them, but because I wanted to see that pure joy on his face.
As I paid him and watched his wide smile brighten up, I realized something profound: childhood is not always beautiful or easy for everyone. This boy had challenges far bigger than his age, yet his cheerful smile and kind words made it seem as if those struggles didn’t exist.
They say “maturity doesn’t always come with age,” and that day, I truly understood what it meant. Life had taught him responsibilities and hardships at an age when most children are carefree and playful. Despite that, he wore his struggles lightly and smiled as if to say, "Everything will be okay."
WE often measure happiness by what we have, but this little boy taught me that true strength lies in facing challenges with a smile. Life will always have its share of struggles, but it’s our attitude that defines our journey. Sometimes, the smallest individuals teach us the biggest lessons: to work hard, to smile despite hardships, and to appreciate every moment of life.
- Little Angle
