Week 58: The Little Boy Selling Balloons
It was my Birthday this weekend. I just don't know what it is about birthdays? Can’t quite put my finger on it, makes me reflect and not in a good way. I spent the entire morning weeping and sobbing in bed. Can you relate to this? Don’t get me wrong I’m all up for the party as long as it's not mine. Anyway, after I threw myself the best pity party in town of which I was the chief guest I finally decided enough of the cry-baby. So how do you flip that switch? Simple you think about someone or something that is worse off than you. A beautiful narrative shared to me by my mother.
There was this boy who was only 5 (or there about) the sole breadwinner of his house. Breadwinner! What on earth are you going on about, he is a child?? This little boy was fending for his family, poverty stricken but hold on; definitely an entrepreneur in the making. He would go to town everyday and stand in his usual spot at the mall blowing up balloons and then selling these to passer byers when he got noticed by a journalist who was doing a story in the area. This journalist had watched him for some time and how this little boy would greet and smile to the passing public. The journalist walked over and introduced himself and the two got talking. He asked him why he wasn't at school like other children to which he replied the obvious of having to look after his family etc. This really touched the journalist. He asked the boy if he would like to join him for lunch in the caffe up the street. The little boy was delighted.
When asked what he would like the boy spending a few moments glancing at the menu and trying to converse like a big man, “I would like that Biryani sir if you don't mind” (just too cute). “Biryani it is,” the journalist called for the waiter and asked “can we have two of those please.” After a few brief moments their food finally arrived and whilst tucking into his meal the man noticed the little boy wasn’t eating his. He asked him; “What’s the matter? Don’t you like it? I can order you something else?” To which the boy replied, “no its fine its just i'd rather have it later at home, I can then share this with my mum.” The man was touched once again “oh if that's the case silly I will just order another one for your mum to take home.” Little boy was so happy. Upon walking out and saying goodbye he noticed the boy heading back to sell the balloons again. This startled the man and he went over to say “your food will get cold why don’t you go home?”
He told him he had a goal to sell X amount of balloons that day and if he hadn't met his target then he would fall behind. He explained, he would go home once he had sold all the balloons. This brought a tear to the man's eye and he asked how much does he charge? The little entrepreneur said he buys a couple of packs then re-sells these individual balloons for 1 rupee. He asked could he buy all of these? “Well of course Sir you can.” The journalist was then giving the balloons away to kids (for free) that were passing by until he had no more to give. The kid then thanked the man for his kindness and said; “right I'm off home, I am starving and can’t wait to show this to my mum.” The man cupping his mouth to ask him “What about your balloons?” Kid running along…”oh don’t bother about those I've hit my target for the day. I will be back tomorrow to sell some more.”
How amazing was that little boy? How entrepreneurial at that age? And that energy and work ethic! I mean where does he muster up the courage and become so huge of a person? How does this little boy whom I've never met become my teacher? Easy...be a lifelong student and have the willingness to learn. Needless to say, how ashamed I felt at my throwing a pity party.
No blue/red superhero costume as portrayed in the West but a real life superhero as far as I was concerned.
Moral of the story, when you can’t conjure up the will to get out of bed for whatever reason you may have, believe me we all get those days. Always think about those that have got it worse. Forget about yourself for a minute, for heaven sake, no five year old should be out there selling balloons to make ends meet. Make that person your point of admiration and thrive on his or her strength.
Any fool can run a simple business/enterprise but let's not forget humanity and the bigger picture.