Lil' things - II

(Part 2)

"Kitne run chahiye?” (How much runs do we need?)I asked.

"8 runs in 3 balls."

That is easy enough. But there was a cache. We had only 1 wicket left.

I did some quick calculations and said "Okay." I was confident we would win. I took strike and became ready to bat.

Ball one goes for a straight four.

Ball two: I made a single and ran to make another one just when.... Out! The opponents screamed.

I felt bad that I was out. But I felt worse because it was due to me that we lost. I felt dejected.

I saw the little kids jumping with joy when I was busy thinking things like if only had I played wise, if only had I ran a bit faster....? A tug to my t shirt interrupted my chain of 'ifs' and ‘don’ts’. It was the same kid who had pleaded me to play. I expected him to be mad at me but all he said was, "Thank you Didi, humare game complete hogaya.”

I was dumbstruck. This tiny kid was thanking me for helping them complete their game. I was extremely loss at words. He wasn’t the least sad for losing the game; in fact he seemed quite happy and he ran towards his friends and started jumping along them.

Today, a petit kid unknowingly taught me a valuable life lesson; never be disheartened by your losses but instead appreciate the opportunities you receive. We are so occupied in trying to be successful that we completely forget to be grateful for each and every chance that life offers us. Remember it's always the lil' things that matters the most in life

I realised that if I had not agreed to play today, I might have just skipped an important class in the school of life. I went to the kid, gave a peck on his cheek to say ‘thank you’, smiled to him and started to climb the stairs to my home.

We had lost the game that day, but someone had won my heart.