From last fifteen minutes I was waiting,sitting on a stiff chair at McDonald's. On Saturdays it is most crowded during the lunch time. But today I had no choice. I came directly from office,starving from morning and irritated after a hectic schedule. It was hard to get a table,so I adjusted at one corner where a sitting arrangement for 6 people was only left. On the other side of that table sat a family of 3. One chair was carrying their bags and two were left. I asked them very politely if I can occupy the remaining area. After confirmation from the man and a disapproving look from his wife I managed to grab those seats.I left my bag on one chair for my hubby who went to get the orders. As it was fully crowded with college students and families,it was taking longer than usual. My stomach was cursing me silently,so I started watching people around me to keep myself distracted.
The family sitting opposite to me was quite entertaining. Posh attires and classy gadgets,I don't need to tell much about how they looked. The behaviour,however didn't match much with the outlook.The main attraction,the preschooler boy was fidgeting on his seat continuously. I heard one phrase in my childhood about "no balance in pampering and punishment"....this boy was a living example of that. His parents ordered food sufficing some 10 people and this boy was throwing it at every direction. He father had an helpless expression,he failed to control him,it was clear. But most surprisingly,his mother was watching the whole episode with an amused look on her face,not a single time she resisted the whole action.Once the kid threw his hand ,as a result the glass of coke toppled over and started dripping at my side. Before I could jump back,my bag was drenched. I gritted my teeth and called for a cleaning staff. No response or apology came from the other end,they looked like as if it's quite normal. My hubby still didn't come,I started feeling irritate. I was looking for a vacant seat nearby,when this family got up. The amount of food left behind just surprised me. The boy stamped on a full packet of French fries,the floor was strewn with that under the table. Two half eaten burgers,a mashed chicken wrap,discarded dessert and wasted coke which would feed a whole family left unattended. The cleaning boy,who was standing nearby came to clean the table. He sighed,had a scathing look at the disappeared family and cleaned the remaining and said in Kannada,"Some people......"! So I was not alone!
Soon the table was occupied with 3 kids,aged around 8-12. Their dresses and the surprised look on their face made it clear that this is a special privilege to them. They were constantly chatting in the local language from which I came to know that it's the boy's B'day and his sisters saved their pocket money to give him a taste of burger! My eyes moistened. Now a days these old values are disappearing fast,I am happy to see that it still remained in those kids. One sister stayed with the boy and the other one went to get the burger. My hubby came by them,with a tray loaded with two burgers and coke. The boy looked at it with interest. I whispered to my hubby that we will have it after the boy gets his burger. I wanted to see his expression when his share arrives.
It was a shock when the little girl came back,almost in tears. She managed to get a aloo tikki meal with that money,but the coke toppled over when somebody in the crowd knocked it down occidentally.The kids were so disappointed,the boy was repeatedly asking if he could get another one. But now that wasn't possible any more,the money got over. The elder-looking girl got up and went to see if anything could be managed. She set the tray on the table,from which the boy was busily fishing out the remaining fries and burger. I was feeling so sad for the boy. I could buy him a meal if I wanted,but I wanted to save it for the last moment. The table became messy,so they shifted to the adjacent table. I didn't feel like eating,so just kept watching what happens next.
The girl returned with a winning smile on her face. A kind server provided her a free coke when she told him about the incident. Seeing the new glass of coke,a smile flashed on that boy's face that made my day. The irritation,the long wait,everything washed away instantly. My appetite which I lost observing the previous boy,came back again. I turned my look from those kids who were happily watching their brother eating the burger.
Now you may ask why didn't I buy a meal to each of those sisters. I could do that,but somehow I decided against it. They earned their happiness through sacrifice,which is becoming rare now a days. Kids get everything they want from their parents,before the need grows in them. It doesn't give them the feel or "Earning",so they learn that everything is easily accessible if they want. It's creating a generation which knows only to take,not to give. That's why I didn't help these kids. Let the values remain at least in those who are deprived. Being materialistic is leading the young generation towards selfishness,it's my small attempt to save few from that.
So,which side do you want to see your kids? That's my last question. Please answer.....
