A Sweet Burden

“Urgh! So many books to carry….” Kate said as her mother drove her along
with her twin sister, Jess, to school. “Yes, mom! My shoulders are almost sore!”
Jess added on. “Now there dears, don’t grumble.” said her mom in a gentle but firm voice. “I will make you both your favorite chocolate cakes when you are home!” her mother replied. Kate looked around, a school-going child was
sitting in almost every car or on a two-wheeler. ‘All of them have to carry such
a heavy load! Oww!’ Kate thought to herself.

Six hours flew by. Soon, it was time for the children to return home. “Bye
Tessy!” “Shirley’s not coming tomorrow!” “Hey, Joe, wait for me!!” there was
complete chaos.

Kate looked through the gate. Suddenly, her gaze fell on a girl, almost her
age, walking on the footpath. She had a huge bag slung over her
shoulders, dragging a heavy sack full of plastic bottles. She wore old tattered
dirty ragged clothes and looked around the footpath, with a grim face. Then,
she bent down and pulled a crushed plastic bottle from under a bush, with a
broad smile and twinkle in her eyes.

Kate was observing this. ‘She has to carry a heavier weight than me. She
doesn’t even know when she will find enough bottles to sell and earn money.
Yet, she is so content and focused on searching for bottles…’ Kate thought.

She felt the poor girl would be happy to carry the weight of books instead of
lifting the weight of plastic. She felt upset about how she had previously hated
studying and carrying a heavy bag.

Now, She started feeling thankful for the bag of books she had. Kate felt that
she should feel great about studying in a good school, has a home, and need
not worry about getting food. She felt sorry about complaining about her books and studies always.

“Kate, Jess, get off! We’ve arrived!” her mother said. She and Jess ran
towards the lift. Her mother followed them. Soon three of them went up to the
floors. Just as their mother opened the door, Jess ran in “Finally! Tomorrow is
no school! Holidays!” Jess yelled in joy as she flung her bag on the sofa and
sat down tiringly on a chair nearby. Kate gently placed her bag, instead of
flinging it, the way she would have done before. “Jess! Kate! Finish your
studies quickly! Then you will get the most awaited chocolate cake!” their
mother added cheerfully. “MOM! I would do anything but study” Jess added
groaning. ‘When would she understand? How lucky we are…’ Kate thought to
herself.