A Game of Hide-and-Seek

As I approached a stack of bricks during my morning walk, I noticed a little boy hiding behind it. He peeped out, looked at me, and quickly hid his face again, as though he were feeling shy. A moment later, he peeped out once more.

I smiled inwardly. Was this little stranger inviting me to play a game of hide-and-seek?

He kept looking at me, waiting for a response, but I pretended not to notice his playful gestures and continued walking.

A little further ahead, I saw the scene more clearly. The boy was enjoying chips from a freshly opened packet. His young mother stood nearby, smiling, while two labourers were busy repairing the society's boundary wall, which had collapsed after the heavy rainfall a few days earlier.

I had not been particularly enthusiastic about going for a walk that morning. Air pollution in Delhi NCR had risen, and my health was not at its best. Nevertheless, I had pushed myself to step out.

Usually, before Diwali, I look around for people who might need a little help. It has become a small personal tradition of mine. This year, however, my health had made me reluctant to undertake any such activity. I had even prayed that if God wished me to help someone, He would send the right person my way.

And there he was!

Perhaps the little boy had nothing more in mind than playing hide-and-seek with a stranger. Yet, his innocent gestures and eagerness to connect touched me. He seemed to be a child who wanted to share his happiness with whoever happened to cross his path.

I decided to bring something for him. Since nutritious food can be expensive for a labourer's family, I thought of buying some fresh fruits. I also wanted to give him a toy with a string that he could pull along and enjoy playing with.

When I returned and handed over the gifts, the little boy and his mother were equally delighted. His playful curiosity had brought me to them, and now a small gesture had brought smiles to both their faces.

I had stepped out reluctantly that morning, but returned with a heart full of joy. I had prayed for an opportunity to help someone, and perhaps God answered my prayer in the most unexpected way—not through a stranger's plea, but through a little boy's playful smile.

Pic : AI Generated