Wise Boy in Punjab
A day of March 2016, I was walking along a very busy and noisy commercial street in Punjab, India. In the middle of that bustle, a young boy, about 12 years old, dressed in a plaid shirt, approached me and in perfect English he asked me many questions as if he was a reporter. He followed me, curious to know where I was going. We had a pleasant conversation. He was a very mature boy for his age.
We arrived at a sort of a wasteland surrounded by houses and an abandoned van in the center. I was suddenly circled by far too loud girls but with amazing hair styles. They begged to be photographed and stood in front of the camera to pose.
Meanwhile, the little boy rested quiet and observant. He looked at the scene as if he wanted to be oblivious to all this shameful display. I wanted to keep a memory of him and I took his photo trying to avoid the girls who fought for stardom. He soon said goodbye with the excuse he had an appointment.
When I was leaving the place I bumped into him again. He was wearing the same shirt but this time he was carrying a leather bag across his chest. The bag, that was open, showed a few notebooks. He was on his way to math tuition. I offered to walk with him but he was in such a hurry that my long steps couldn’t follow his fast pace. He realized that if he waited for me he wasn’t going to make it on time, so he made me understand that he had to say goodbye. He ran off.
I am happy to have this photo that reminds me of him.
