The Boy with Sad Eyes

quoted: “Yes… for me, the lies are a lot closer to the truth”, he said, a faint smile on his face. “And if it helps my mother get her medicine, I would not mind lying my entire life. Would you?”

I looked at him. The eyes still had the same posture. “Are you lying right now?”

He stood up, getting ready to leave, looked at me and said, “Even if I am lying, it is because people like you are moved more by my lies than by my truth. So, does it matter??”
unquote.

well hunger makes u lie, cheat, steal, lose self respect and so on but most importantly it makes u think... think about life, the issues and everything .. however the faction of the poor highlighted here dont have just about enough exposure to be so philosophical.. their thoughts in all sincereity are ( more always than usually) circling around the empty stomach and weak bodies...

this is only a review of the expressions (not the idea behind the story)... a poor hungry boy or simply ur main character could never be able to express its ideas in such philosophical style and clean/refined words... make it a bit rougher and it would be simply gut wrenching.... ( on a personal note i have had a hell lot of similar expereinces and most from outside of a car. :( )...
for once the boy could have expressed his desire for a simple 1 rupee toffee that he couldn`t buy and the fact that he had a one year brother who needed daily milk ( despite the fact that he had lost his father :if there ever was a legitimate one: and add to it the way his mom kept reminded him, it was due to the little brother that he had survived life-threatening typhoid bukhaar 1 and a half years earlier :there`s no need to tell where the little brother came from, let the reader conclude:)...
ofcourse i respect ur thoughts and ideas and do not wish to turn the story to my liking... but i like to interact with people having such good thoughts :keeps me on the sane side:,... gives me hope...
_`B`alach

Poignant and touching.Makes you search your soul and ponder at the realities of life.

Do you intend to go out and look for that kid?

Thanx Wajahat and MQMPower.

The story is a work of fiction. However, it has been inspired by a similar event that i saw. I assert, therefore, that i strictly believe in whatever i have written... that needy children should be helped PRACTICALLY. Good to hear from Wajahat that such deeds are certainly present in our society. Every change, every revolution has always started from a few good men. The purpose writing of this story was, infact, to propell the idea.

Regards.

Salaam Alaikum

Allah ap ko is karey khair ka ajr dey.

This topic has always been a point of concern for me and you have addressed it in a proper way. However, unfortunately you are one of a few people who have actually listened to their conscience and have been compelled to take action.

Islam has always emphasized taking care of the poor and ensuring their proper upbringing. However, the Islam we preach and practice today has a different outcome. For instance, in the oil rich country of Saudi Arabia why do we often see lines of beggers in some districts of that nation? There are enough resources in the world to feed everyone, yet we see people dying from starvation, malnutrition, and lack of basic vaccination. Why? The simple answer is that the haves do not share with the have nots from that which Allah gave them.

I would like to highlight a few points that come to mind:

1. There are many forces that restrain our hands from giving. Spouses, children, friends, one`s wealth, material possession, etc. they all stop one`s hand from giving forth alms in charity. This is one of the main challenges to overcome.

2. Allah says in the quran to the effect that charity begins at home. However, unfortunately many of us do that and then stop there. Money is then due to the needy, the poor, and the traveling. [17:26] ``You shall give the due alms to the relatives, the needy, the poor, and the traveling alien, but do not be excessive, extravagant.``

3. In karachi in particular, poverty alleviation is essential for ensuring law and order and stability in this emerging regional powerhouse. Your actions clearly indicate that you have listened to the inner voice inside of you that called for action and that had sympathy for this unfortunate lad. However, again we think that by simply providing employment we can alleviate their woes. I disagree with this approach fundamentally. I believe that what is needed is a structured poverty alleviation program which would comprise of :

a. For at least one child in such families, educational and household expenses should be subsidized for by one middle class or above family. This would comprise of taking care of that families day to day expenses, and any tuition related expenses for that child.

b. Second, we should provide proper housing schemes for such people in areas away from the city. This way, they can afford reasonable accomodations at lower prices, and not clog up the work of the inner cities. This would inturn attract foreign visitors and investors who can further contribute towards poverty alleviation.

c. We must bring a stop to this indentured servitude culture where we treat servants and laborers as second-class or even third-class citizens with reduced rights and privileges. It is quite pathetic, that in the 21st century our country is continuing with degratory customs that date back to the post-colonial days.

May allah give our people the courage and determination to see such poverty alleviation initiatives to fruition, and once again I salute and laud your kind efforts.

Sincerely,

Shabber

Great stuff Xoheb!

Was this based on reality at all, because I know numerous examples like the one you described. Infact such a child lives with us as well and he is very much a member of our family, he obviously goes to school and is a high acheiver. I think he has a bright future ahead of him....

Simple, touching and well written.

Hey... thanx guys... turpintine,cipram,mrinal,jibbe,rozaiba and hamid_81... thanx aplenty for the encouragement!!!

Thanx alot guys... !!! turpintine, cipram, mrinal, jibbe, rozaiba and hamid_81... I really appreciate the encouragement!!

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straightforward and engrossing, without being overly patronizing or preachy. cool.

Xehob Sheikh,
delightful read, well written....very moving.
Even though I am one of those political and religous freaks here on chowk, i have to agree with hamid_81, its good to read something meaningful, heartfelt and has a good ending!
Nice one mate.

That was nice!!

Good piece. Enjoyable read.

Brilliant yarn! A very nice story. Some time ago I went to Pakistan and was confronted by these small boys and girls. After that experience I wrote an article. It is called Broken-Hearts, Dream-Filled Eyes and it was published here at Chowk. Please read that if you get time. Thank you for writing about something much more valuable than religious and political bashing that is going on left and right at Chowk.