Little girl by the signal

Oh gosh! Am late!
And the red lights after red lights!
Frowning heavily,
I wait at the signal

"5 rupees, please take one",
little hand pokes mine.
a small girl, wearing school uniform
lost behind the load of garlands
"just 5 rupees, please do take one",
She pleads…

"Where are your parents?"
"near the roadside"
she points excitedly,
"see, there… "
A smile comes on my face
"do you go to school?"
"Yes :) everyday"
"What about your homework?
When you do it?"
"Sitting by amma,
when the lights are green…"

I take two garlands,
she moves to next vehicle…
green lights flashes
Honks and honks rushes forth
I too move on.

Something makes me
look back at the roadside…
little girl standing by her mother,
a book in her small hands.

Just in 10 rupees,
I bought a wonderful smile.
determination so strong,
Little girl by the signal taught…