A Tough Ask??

As i walk along the crowded pavement towards the market, i cannot help but notice a man sitting by the lamp-post. He is shabbily dressed to say the least. Every now and then he waves his hands in an attempt to shoo off the flies that seem to be feasting on his legs. His clothes are tattered and his face looks sullen like he has been suffering from some disease for a long long time.

This isn't the first time i am seeing him here. Nor is it that his condition today is worse than what it has been before. Just that today, there is a burning desire within me, to find out what drives this man and what it is that he wants from his life.

Is it money??? But how long will a few dollars last? That won't change his life forever. He ll be found here again, once he has wasted his cash on a few drinks in the city bar.

Is it education??? Does education guarantee success? or peace or freedom? What do you teach a guy who has spent more than half his life watching educated people run around desperate to earn more money, happiness.

Is it health then??? I think not. Health must have come to him in plenty till a few years ago. Besides, what value would health have for a man as unconcerned about his surroundings as he is??

Or cud it be fame??? Where does fame stand in the list of most important things? Fame these days, lasts only as long as the soul. He can't be running after something so short-lived.

May be security??? When everyone is talking about security, why not he? But he isn't ready to give up on his freedom to be more secure. nor is he going to be chained down or jailed to save an insignificant life.

Or did he really care for all these things???
Alas...what he wanted was to live happily and die peacefully. A tough ask??

Comments

bhai...a lot of thought and pain in this post of yours...i love it...i am trying to find an answer to your question. What is it that I want and is it that tough a task to live and die peacefully...
Anonymous said…
ya...and i lov myself for writing this one :D
Unknown said…
What makes you think that the soul is short lived??
Anshuman said…
For me, The soul dies when when u stop influencing lives, bringing in change and dat generally happens much before our cells die...
Unknown said…
You leave me without answers. Completely lajawab!!

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