Going Home

School is over. Children are leaving. Teachers are leaving. Everyone is going home.

I come out of the gate. I am in a hurry. I do not have time to play. I do not have time to talk. I want to get home fast.

I walk down the lane. It is a narrow lane. I can see crowds up ahead. There is a big road there.

The big road has lots of traffic. Cars, trucks and cycles, motorcycles, scooters and auto rickshaws. Some are going this way. Some are going that way. I know how to find the gap and run to the other side.

I have reached the divider. There is traffic in front. There is traffic behind. I must be careful.

I am on the other side. I almost crash into the chanawallah. He growls. I say, “Sorry,” and run along.

I walk faster and faster. Now there are fish shops. Big fish, small fish, long fish, flat fish. Shiny fish, dull fish. So many fish in every shop.

I walk faster and faster. Now there are fish shops. Big fish, small fish, long fish, flat fish. Shiny fish, dull fish, So many fish in every shop.

Now I must run. Past the video shops, past the barber shop, past the cloth shop, past the pan shop. Running, running, running down the lane.

Finally I reach home. Oh good! I am not late. My father goes to work in the afternoon. He has not left as yet. His cycle is still here.

My father comes outside, my mother is behind him. I give my father a big hug. My father gives me a big hug. Then he goes to work. Now there is no hurry. I have lots of time.