The Little Shoe-polisher And Other Stories For Kids

 The Little Shoe-shiner 

A certain elderly gentleman was on his way to his office along a busy pavement in Colombo. The gentleman stopped for a while to buy a newspaper when a small boy of school going age approached him and said timidly, "Sir! Shall I polish your shoes?" 

The gentleman looked at the child from head to toe. He felt pity to see the child in a tattered shirt and a pair of shorts. It appeared that the little child had not taken haircut for ages. The old gentleman automatically remembered his grandson who was also around the same age as the child standing in front of him. 

"Alright, polish them quickly. I'm in a hurry to attend some important meeting," said the gentleman. The child pointed to a stool by the side of the pavement. The old gentleman made himself comfortable on the stool and allowed the boy to do the polishing. The child started his work. However, the old gentleman found that the child was slow at work.

The gentleman said, "Child! you are too slow. Hurry up! Why don't you move your hands quickly?"

The child neither replied nor seemed to speed up his work. 

Just then another little child of around the same age, arrived. He moved his friend aside and quickly started polishing the shoes. The first child stood up and watched his friend at work quietly. The second child finished his work in a short time. 

The gentleman could not understand as to who should be paid. He thought that the child who actually finished the work deserved to be paid. So, he handed the money to the second child. The child collected the money without any hesitation, placed it in the first child's hand and walked away. 

The old gentleman was puzzled and immediately called the second child back. He asked him why he had done it.

The child went on to say, "Sir! He is suffering from illness. Due to the illness, he cannot work fast. He has a problem in his eyes, too. He has a sick mother at home. He is the sole breadwinner of the family. So, those who live on this street help him earn some money."

The old gentleman was shocked to hear these words. The second child's behaviour reminded him of the value of top human qualities like empathy, unity , cooperation and love. These street children may not go to school. But they are rich in human qualities. 

(Adapted from a story on Internet - Sajendra Kumara)