Life is like selling toys

The train compartment was cattle class with passengers continuously stuffing themselves with junk food pedelled by the railway caterers. Some catching a wink and some finding an uncomfortable shoulder of their neighbour to fall asleep. Vendors walked up and down the passage selling farm fresh vegetables, pirated DVDs, pocket diaries, eucalyptus oil and a near Methuselah potion. They created a cacophony. Not one of them appeared happy. They hated what they were doing. One could sense their utter contempt for the passengers. Some of them could even be bandits looting passengers of the night trains.

I looked at my watch and was wondering at my bad luck of not getting reservation in an upper class air conditioned coach. Then I saw her. She was small, dusky with soft flowing bobbed hair. A little dirty in a cream color frock with a lot of frills, looking confident and cheerful. A child of about 10 years, she was selling toys and rattlers made out of balloons. Plastic toy rifles sticking out of the cloth tied at her back in ninja style.

She enjoyed showing of her toys to the children. Negotiating confidently with difficult parent customers. Quick to move away from troublesome characters. I learnt a lesson from her on the day. Give a good fight to your life. Enjoy every bit of action that is enjoyable. Negotiate difficulties. Look forward to tomorrow.

You could meet her on Chennai - Bangalore day express trains. But you have to travel cattle class.