On a recent trip by train, a couple asked if I would switch my side lower berth for one of theirs as they wanted to be together, and I obliged. There were two children – a small boy, and his slightly older brother, probably studying in class IV or V.

At some point their mother got up from her seat and screamed out loudly. She shook awake her husband sleeping on the upper berth and said, “Chotu (the younger kid) nearly pulled the chain!” The man growled and asked the boy not do it. “Why not?” said the boy. The older one explained “A fine has to be paid, and the chain puller will be put in jail.” The little one went into deep thought. “What will happen in jail?” he asked. “There will be hard labor, and only one or two meals will be served” in a day said his elder brother. “No snacks?” asked the little tyke with horror in his voice. “No.” “Will they give alu-ki-sabji?” He asked this three times, to which the older one wisely retorted “They make food of their choice, not yours.” The little one seemed to think it futile to pull the chain on the train if the food scene in prison would be bleak – no aloo ki sabji!”

On another journey – A little girl seemed to light up at an idea that came to her. She said to her mother “I know what I want for my birthday – a train”. The girl’s brother approved and the mother agreed. The girl then told her mother, “Not a toy train for him to play with. I want a real train – a long train on real tracks, with real people coming and going, stations and platforms with real people and vendors selling things.”

On yet another train journey – A genial traveller chose to open a conversation with a boy sitting next to him. “What class are you in?” he asked casually. “Why should I tell you?” said the boy. “Oh my god! Which school do you go to?” “Why should I tell you?” “Well, at least tell me you name” said the slightly embarrassed man. “Why should I?” retorted the boy. The man switched to speaking to another child sitting across from them. “What is your name, son?” The boy told his name politely. And which class are you in?” The boy replied. “And which school?” Once again, the boy replied politely. The man turned back to the first boy and remarked. “See how he is responding, and how you are.” ”Why should I?” said the boy. “I think you are rude” said the man. “That’s your opinion” replied the boy promptly

The rude boy’s father, sitting alongside us, chose not to interfere and buried his head further in his newspaper.

BHANUMURTHY KOTA is a former Deputy General Manager (HRD), Steel Authority of India Ltd., Bhilai Steel Plant.
Bhanu is a Professional Member of ISABS.