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as the train entered the station, he quickly boarded one of those compartments which
were full of regular passengers going to their places of work.
“Boot polish, boot polish,” he said.
“Heh, boot polish!” they called and put their feet forward.
“Yes, saheb,” he said and set to work on the shoes with his nimble fingers. He polished
them forward and backward with his brush. When the shoes got that shiny, glossy look,
he smiled with satisfaction and said “Saheb, your shoes are ready. One rupee please.”
Birju carefully put all the coins he got into the small pouch his mother had given him.
At 1 o’clock, Birju returned home and gave his mother all the earnings for the day. His
mother lovingly served him roti and dal. After lunch, Birju went out and played with
his friends.
One day, Birju got into the local train as usual. But there were not many passengers on
the train. Birju occupied one of the seats.
“Will I earn enough for today’s meal?” he wondered. He looked out of the window, lost
in his thoughts. Then he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder. “Will you polish my shoes?”
said a man.
“Yes, saheb,” he said with a smile.
With his yellow cloth Birju wiped away the dust on the shoes. Then he opened a tin,
took out some polish and spread it on the shoes with his brush. He worked fast. He
rubbed in the polish and started shining the shoes.
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