A Heartwarming Encounter
In the bustling streets of Anar Kali Bazaar, nestled among a myriad of shops, there stood a toy store – a treasure trove of toys from all corners of the world. The store owner, a shrewd businessman, meticulously assessed each customer’s pocket and their outward appearance to gauge their purchasing power. From toys costing a mere hundred rupees to those worth thousands, his store boasted a diverse collection.
For several days, an observant individual had been closely monitoring the operations of this store. Suspicion grew within the owner that perhaps a thief was eyeing his beloved shop.
Then, one fateful day, he decided to confront the observer. To his surprise, it was not a nefarious character but a young girl, barely seven years old, clad in tattered pink and blue clothes. Her appearance revealed her destitute status.
With a stern tone, he asked, “When did you start visiting my shop?”
Her cheeks turned pale, and she trembled with fear. Despite her timidity, there was no malice in her demeanor. She was just another victim of poverty, resorting to begging to feed her family.
“All these beggars pretend to be impoverished,” he thought, but something about her innocence touched him deeply.
“D’you steal anything from my store?” he inquired again, softer this time.
She nervously shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes, reflecting a world of hardship.
“Are you sure you didn’t take anything?” he insisted.
“Never, sir,” she replied meekly, her eyes brimming with tears.
Feeling compassion, he warned her, “If you ever set foot here again, I’ll make sure you regret it. Run along now.”
The presence of customers in the store prevented him from taking more drastic measures, and the fragile girl fled the scene.
The Intriguing Return
The next day, when he opened his shop, she was there again, absorbed in playing with the toys displayed on the shelves. He couldn’t help but ask, “You’re back?”
She replied with a shy smile, “Yes, sir.”
“What’s your name?” he inquired.
She hesitated for a moment, then responded, “Sabhjee.”
“Pardon me?” he questioned, unable to comprehend her Punjabi dialect.
She repeated, “Sabhjee, sir.”
“Is this where you come from?” he probed further.
Again, she remained silent. This time, she gestured instead.
He grabbed her arm gently, guiding her away from the glass figurines. “Don’t touch the glass, it’s fragile,” he cautioned.
Startled, she stumbled but remained weak. “Oye khadona kine da ae?” she finally asked, her Punjabi pronunciation amusingly foreign to him.
He chose not to answer, instead gently pushing her towards the exit. “Don’t come here again, or I’ll call the police. Run along.”
Fearful of the customers in the shop, he refrained from using force. The innocent girl darted out.
The Mysterious Absence
Days turned into weeks, and she did not return. Either he had ignored her presence, or she had finally heeded his warning. However, a passing comment from one of his employees caught his attention.
“Sometimes, when I go home for a short break in the afternoon, I see a girl sitting outside the toy store. She plays with the dolls from the shop window, and when she notices me, she quickly runs away,” the employee mentioned.
“Interesting,” he mused, intrigued by the revelation.
“Shall I chase her away next time?” the employee asked.
He pondered for a moment and replied, “No, just observe.”
The Unlikely Friendship
True to the employee’s account, she returned at the designated hour. She meticulously rearranged the toys, placing the dolls back in their positions.
“You’ve returned,” he remarked, standing at the entrance.
She nodded, her face revealing a sense of accomplishment.
“What are you doing here?” he inquired with a hint of curiosity.
She gestured towards the dolls and said, “Sabhjee.”
“You want these dolls?” he asked.
“Haan, sabhjee,” she replied.
He was torn between his admiration for her tenacity and his reluctance to give away an expensive toy to a destitute child.
For days, he battled this internal conflict. Customers offered generous sums for the dolls, but he couldn’t bring himself to part with them.
One day, when he looked for her, she was gone. Perhaps she had finally outgrown her fascination with the store.
A Regret That Lingers
Years passed, and he often wondered about the girl. Regret gnawed at him for not giving her the dollhouse. His son suggested they remove the dollhouse from the shop, but he refused.
Time, however, had changed everything. The young girl had grown into a woman, and she had matured beyond the dollhouse.
The feeling of remorse never left him. He wished he had given her the dollhouse when he had the chance.
Conclusion: The Lesson of Generosity
In the end, the tale of the generous toy store owner in Anar Kali Bazaar teaches us about the impact of small acts of kindness. The destitute girl, despite her impoverished state, had touched his heart with her innocence and perseverance.