The pancake boy
View(s):There’s was a little boy we used to see at the grocery shop near our house. He is usually there in the evenings holding a red plastic bowl on the top of his head. When you turn his way , he looks at you pleadingly and begs you to buy the pancakes in his bowl. He must have been about 8 or 9.
My mother and I once spoke to him. He said his mother made the pancakes. There were scars on the top of his head. He said his father and grandfather hit him when they got drunk.
When I saw him, I was reminded of my childhood, we used to pluck ambaralla from our grandmother’s tree and then make achcharu and sell it to my uncle who used to live next door. My uncle used to give us the money and then say “you eat it , I know you would enjoy it much more than I would.”
But with the pancake boy it was different. He didn’t have the childhood I had. I wanted to take him home and give him a hearty meal. He looked so skinny, like he had been skipping meals. I wanted to buy him toys , because that’s what boys his age do – play with toys, ride bicycles , go to school.
One day when I walked out of the supermarket , a group of boys were standing next to the pancake boy provoking him , showing him which customers he should target.
More than wanting to take him home and giving him to eat, the right thing would have been to call the Child Line on 1929. But my mother argued otherwise, she said it would be best not to get involved, that we would be asking for trouble.
I wish I knew what happened to the pancake boy, because I have not seen him for a while now. Ammi said she once saw him near a school all dressed up and ready to go to school. I hope it was him. It would be good to know that he is making his way to what children his age do. It would be good to know someone had the courage to take a stance. To make sure his rights as a child were protected.
Everyday each of us have a calling and I wish we are all granted with the courage to champion the change and make a difference. Thiscolumn was written by a volunteer who recently became part of the the Stitch Movement. Learn more at www.stitchmovement.com
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