The Hitch-hiker

A few weeks back I was riding after 10 pm on a weekday back home. On my way, a boy aged around 10 or 12 asked for a lift. I usually refrain from stopping my bike for anyone after a bad experience couple of years back when I was almost mugged and managed to escape. But the kid was with a school bag and since it was late, I decided to give him a ride. "How come you out so late after school?" I asked him. He wanted to be dropped at the end of the ring road, a 6-7 kms ahead. "After school, I got tuitions and work before I go home.." he replied. Our conversation carried on. I learned he was in his 6th grade and paid for his own tuition fees by working as a delivery boy for a bakery on daily wages. His dad couldn't afford his tuitions so he had to work. I was silent for a while thinking how easy it is for us. Thanks to the Almighty we never have to go through what this poor kid faces everyday.

I stopped the bike where he wanted to get off. I felt like giving him some money and was rummaging through my pockets for some cash. As soon as he got down he removed a 10 rupee note and gave me. "A bus would had costed me the same. Thanks for the ride". I returned his money and gave him a 50 rupee note. He declined saying he didn't do any work for me. I told him take it as a gift and not charity or wages. He smiled and returned it. "If I take this home, my father will buy alcohol. If I keep it, my elder brother will eventually find it from me and use it for himself. Thanks but I can't take it. I have to go now". Summing up things for me, he walked away. I stood there for a little while thinking again before I rode back home..