CABBIE KID

I HAD hailed this cab and as I got in, I noticed the person at the wheel was a kid. Curious, I started a conversation with him.

He said he had completed university and was looking to study further. In the meantime, wanting to do something different, he drove the cab. Yes, he did have a valid driving licence.

His father though, did not approve of his driving and it was not because of his age. His concern was that their folks looked down on his son.

The lad, however, was very clear about what he wanted to do with his life. And what he didn’t want to do too, like subduing his dreams to comply with the false prejudices of people.

Anyway, it would be only a few months more before he got into another phase of serious study. Moreover, his cab-driving was in itself a great learning experience, what with all the various people he came across every day.

So, what did he learn from his observations?

People were insecure, avaricious and, sadly, very egoistic. Loans, real estate, jewellery, best deals and judging people seemed to be the invisible, uncanny web that bound all these strangers.

Friends? Pastime?

Yes, but none he wanted to hang out with. He loved solitary excursions into rustic environments and watch birds.

Was his cab-driving experience making him bitter about the human race?

No, not really. In fact, he actually found human attitudes very amusing.

Such maturity for one so young, I RELECTED.

By then we had reached our destination. He said that it was not every day he came across someone with whom he could have a simple conversation, from one human to another. I said the feeling was mutual.

We thanked each other, bid goodbye and went our different ways.