I have an intriguing and inspirational story that I will share with you because the story is not from my class or school but from the slums. This story didn't come from a children's transformation; it's different from that, which intrigued me even more. It's a tale of unexpected inspiration, one that makes me glad, thankful, and inspired.
Our little school, Kanchanpur, had very few students in April and May. With the upcoming election and hot Summer season, many of the children returned to their hometowns. Sonu Sir and I used to call the kids regularly and tried to meet some new families during our house visits in the morning.
During one of our morning trips, I had the opportunity to see some exquisite artwork. What initially astounded me was not the art itself but rather its creator and his inventiveness. This heroic creator is the brother of Almeena, one of our young students. Her brother is an unusual person who acts and thinks like a child.
At first glance, something seems a little off with Almeena's brother. He's somewhere between 25 and 28 years old but doesn't act that age. He can be considered abnormal by others because he has the mind of a child; he also acts like that. When you look at him, you notice that his eyes are crossed. That's because he has a disability called Strabismus. Strabismus (eye misalignment) is a condition in which one eye is turned in a different direction from the other. Five of Almeena's siblings and family members also have this same disability, including her dad. Most of them live back in Assam in their home village. This disability doesn't effect their opportunity for work or to continue in their education.
Our inventive creator constructed a cart using scraps. He found some old, broken tricycle wheels and an old rectangular fruit basket. He uses the cart to carry old newspapers around. When I saw how he made it, I was stunned. That was original inventiveness. When asked why he made it, he stated, "I want to help my family." I observed that "people with disabilities have a unique ability not to give up." This ability motivates me even more.
The lesson 'To Give Up On None' is a powerful one that we all should learn. If this young man, knowing he has a disability, is unable to give up on himself, how can we possibly give up on anyone? It's a beautiful lesson to learn, that should motivate us all. In this one simple moment admiring the inventive artwork and its creator, I discovered how to offer everyone justice, dignity, and beauty by viewing them from various viewpoints. Moreover, it teaches us never to judge a book by its cover.
Written by Sameeksha Thapa
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