The Rickshaw Driver who stunned me!

“Yes?” Said the rickshaw driver whom I had just stopped flashing a hand on a small-time street in Malad (Bombay)! Stunned I looked into a face sporting a clean shaven look with a neat moustache, soft brown eyes and a kind look of a man in his late 30’s, yes he did look like someone who would seem like a decent guy had I seen him in normal circumstances. But English coming from the mouth of a rickshaw driver??!! It was really hard to digest. I ignored it as I sat into the rickshaw thinking anybody can say yes and no! I was just settling down and digging into my bag for my wallet when I suddenly jerked forward and heard him yell “SHIT!! These traffic jams!” I was more shaken by his statement than the sudden jerk!

Still I consoled my confused and shocked mind by thinking maybe he just picked the line from somebody! After some more distance we saw a woman with 2 kids waving a hand in a hope to stop the rickshaw. She immediately left the effort once she saw I was in it. What happened next was something which I had never expected to see in my life! He slowed the rickshaw and offered the lady “Come on, we’ll drop you till the main road”. I was speechless for a long time after that. Upon asking him about this he said he’s just learning English because sometimes he gets only-english-speaking customers. Its hard to believe but all my conversation with him was in English thereafter! He told me where he lived, showed me a college and a school on the way. He was not only a rickshaw driver but also a delightful guide during the journey (however short it was!)

That ride is till date the most remarkable of my life!

Not only his grasping power and the determination of mastering the language greatly impressed me, but also his politeness and chivalry. I wondered if he had got education in a good school and more opportunities in life what heights would he have reached! It made me realize too that maybe I should more appreciate the opportunities that I have got in my life and make something worthwhile out of it. We always complain about the things that we don’t get; the facilities that we don’t have; keep saying “I would have done it if I had this and that”! What did he have? Not even any guidance from anybody. But he still managed to speak the language as good as anybody out of a Convent school! That is something!!

This posting is for you- “Rickshaw-Driver-Who-Speaks-Very-Good-English”; my way of appreciating your efforts. A standing ovation!

Cheers!