The Rag Picker

A little boy with dark brown eyes born into a life of privilege.
One day he will become a doctor and live in America.
Such promise and hope for the future.

A little boy with dark brown eyes born into a life of poverty.
One day he will become a rag picker and never leave Mumbai.
Such misery, with no hope for the future.

Or is there…?

Born into the Dalit community in Mumbai, India, the little boy with dark brown eyes was given an English name - Thomas. When he turned five years old he began working as a rag picker. Everyday he would go to the local dump to pick up cloths and cans and other items of little value. At the end of each day he would turn his gatherings over to Rajeem, also a former rag picker, and would be given some change to cover his meager rations for the day.

When he turned ten years old, Thomas, who was an avid reader, began to dream. He had read about lives full of adventure, as if they had occurred on another world altogether and he dreamt that one day his life might be different than what it presently was. His greatest dream was that one day he would become a doctor and live in Amreeka (America).

When he was twelve years old, in order to feel closer to his dream, he would recite these same words over and over: “One day I will be a doctor and live in Amreeka.” With each step he took while working, he would say one word. Step - one, step - day, step - I, and so on. One particularly bright and sunny morning as he was going about his usual business and reciting his mantra so loud that anyone walking by might hear it, it just so happened that a wealthy businessman was passing by. The businessman heard a voice, but had to stop to see which child it was actually coming from, as there were many rag pickers working that day. Finally, he called out to Thomas: “Young man, come over here please.”

Thomas approached the well-dressed man and with eyes downcast and reeking of garbage he asked: “Can I help you sir?” The man answered: “Just what is this that I hear you shouting at the top of your voice, something about wanting to be a doctor? How foolish! You are nothing but a lowly rag picker.” The young boy looked up at him with restless brown eyes as tears streamed down his dirty cheeks. He replied: “Yes sir, I am lowly, to be sure. But if God made me, and God is great, then perhaps one day I too may be great.”

At that precise moment something happened to the businessman that changed him forever. For the first time in many years he felt genuine compassion. He took the little boy to his home and ordered one of the servants to clean him up. Colorful, expensive-looking clothes were placed upon him. All in the household agreed that he was a handsome fellow indeed! That night he was included for the evening meal. Food like he had never tasted before! Life for Thomas seemed to be looking up. Was it possible that good fortune had smiled down upon him?

As it was, the businessman and his wife had lost a son, their only child, to pneumonia when he was just ten years old. It caused his wife to sink into a deep depression, but him it made bitter. Making money, that was his only goal in life now, his only solace. Somehow it seemed to validate his pathetic existence, as he saw it, and kept him moving, kept him alive. But now, this odd little creature with the forward-looking mantra had given him something to live for again, someone to love. Both of them, he and his wife, began to feel alive for the first time since the death of their son. After securing permission from Thomas’ parents, they took the boy into their home and gave him, well, everything!

Oh, and he eventually became a doctor and now lives in Chicago, Amreeka.

As for the little boy born into privilege? Sadly, he became a worthless drunk and never amounted to much of anything.