PASSION: POWERED BY VEGGIE SOUP

Peace and Trust were the eyes of the Land of Animela. It was yet another pleasant day. The Bazaar was crowded with all natives and refugees who seek peace in this wonderful settlement. Suddenly, little Kanha was running down the streets of the Bazaar who was being chased by Ms. Scarlett, the most efficient medical practitioner in the town. The little Kanha found no place to run as he reached Mr. Nelson’s fast food center. Mr. Nelson was a very kind-hearted generous man. People loved to visit his center every day. As a result little Kanha got caught by the gory looking Ms. Scarlett with big glasses in her face. Generous Nelson’s heart sank as he heard the Doctor pouring slaps after slaps on the boy’s face. He ran to the raged women and brought her down to a halt. Though she stopped slapping, she continued with her scolding. “Ms. Scarlett, please!” said Generous Nelson. She turned towards the soup vendor with her breath panting with rage. She was fuming. “Don’t interfere in this Nelson, you don’t know what he did.” shouted the doctor. “I can’t take this Ms. Scarlett, wait let me talk to him” he pleaded and bent down to the boy. “Son. Is your mother sick?” asked the soup vendor in his most pleasing voice. Little Kanha was looking down all the time. He didn’t respond to any of the slaps or scolding. If I didn’t get this medicine my sweetest mother will not be able to play or feed or sing with me. Don’t worry MA I will somehow get it. But how? Little Kanha’s inner conscious cried with pain and fear of losing his dear MA. He needed the medicine but he couldn’t afford the cost of it. Now after this shameful deed he couldn’t afford himself with enough courage to look at the kind man near him. Guilt enveloped his little big heart. “Answer now, you little swine!” exploded Ms. Scarlett again. “I know these refugees are cruel hearted thieves. And you are the same you cunning little criminal. Look at the man near you; he is a refugee but with generous heart as we natives have. Learn from him you little…” “Enough Ms. Scarlett!” snarled Generous Nelson. “Enough!” He got up and took 3 currency notes and paid it to the Doctor. Ms. Scarlett and the other people around the scene was astonished by the soup vendor’s act. They started to mumble within themselves. Some appreciated and some discouraged Mr. Nelson.

But the ever Generous Nelson waved off the crowd and gestured Ms. Scarlett to leave the boy alone. “Little Angel”, he called his little daughter and gestured her to bring a soup along. The little girl who was perplexed by the sudden chaos acted immediately with a frown put up in her face. Nelson got the soup bag from her little Angel and took the medicine and bundled it up in the bag. Little Kanha didn’t notice the soup and started to sob thinking that he has lost the medicine. MA. I think I am not worthy to be your son as I failed to get the medicine for you. He saw his Mother’s kind face in the little puddle of water welled up in his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a hand rubbing the tears off. Little Kanha’s head finally rose. “Here you go my boy.” He said as he handed over the bag to the little Kanha. Feeling of Gratitude, joy and uncountable number of happiest feelings lightened up his innocent little soul. He rubbed the tears off his face and grabbed the bag putting up a smile on his sweet rosy lips. He forgot about the chaos totally. Ms. Scarlett suddenly seemed to be a pleasant women, the crowd around him suddenly took the shape of his father feeling proud at his son. Little Kanha ran off to his mother. Generous Nelson watched him go with contented feeling. Little Chris who had been clinging to her father followed the little boy with her eyes until he turned to the next street.

30 years later…

“Dad”, called Little Chris and gestured him to notice the beggar in the reception of their shop. Generous Nelson heard her little girl calling to him. Her voice has changed from a little girl’s voice to a mature women. He gave a gentle smile to her daughter and turned to watch the beggar. Generous Nelson took a bag of soup and gave it to him. The beggar thanked the soup vendor and went to open his soup bag. Suddenly the cups holding the spoons and forks came to the ground with a thud. Chris was stunned by the sound of the spoons clinging in the ground as the fall. She turned towards the sound. A scream tore out the silence in the shop. It was Little Chris. Generous Nelson has gone to the ground. She ran to her father and took him in her lap. The customers crowded around the father and daughter. One of them called for an ambulance. Chris’s scream equaled the ambulance’s siren. At the hospital the doctors hurried with their emergency protocol. Diagnosis of the old man’s sudden faint started. Chris waited outside impatiently with tears fighting the eyelids to escape down her rosy cheeks.

After two dreadful hours the doctors came out. They comforted Chris saying that her father was alive. The chief doctor called Chris to her room and explained about the seriousness of the situation to the confused Chris. One thing became clear to her. 7, 50,000/- Rs. was what needed to save her Generous Dad. She sat near her lively motionless father with confused tears pouring from her eyes. She collected every single paisa but couldn’t equal it with the huge amount levied for her father’s treatment. Chris’s tired heart needed a rest and had found it near her father. She slept for a while near her father. Dreadful dreams garrisoned her mind. After three sour hours of sleep she woke up. Something flew from her hand which has been tucked there. It was a paper. She got shocked to find the indigestible things on the paper. The total expenses had been reduced with not just a rupee or two but to zero. She couldn’t believe her eyes. She found yet another paper beneath the bill. It said, The total expenses has been paid thirty years before. And this is the opportunity which I should utilize to repay the unaffordable debt which your father has levied upon me. I am the small boy who ran off with your father’s delicious soup to feed it to my MA. I was driven by his generosity. I was enlightened up with his words. I started to chase my little big passion and now I saved your father’s life. Yours Sincerely, Chief Doctor Kanha.