KATHMANDU TALE- Kanchha and his dreams ----------------------------------------------------- He came to my room and said, " Daai, will you teach me this problem?" I was just overwhelmed by his thirst for knowledge. I could clearly see his eyes very eager to know. Though his real name was Som Bahadur everyone calls him " Kanchha" an easy identification. He is innocent and tender of just 12, has been here in my house owner's house as a servant for last six months. Quite often, I wonder how efficient and hardworking he is. He never puts off anything for tomorrow. Dhiraj, the son of house owner, an equally aged of Kanchha comes to me for tuition. He likes more to talk and play than studying, talks about Bob Marley and Eminem. He has painted his school bag written " No fear" and " Kill me"and often spends time playing games on computers, watching wrestling on TV and playing cricket. He studies in one of the famous schools in Kathmandu. Famous in a sense it charges more tuition fee. Only the thing he has to do his to take food in time and to complete his homework and that is more difficult than climbing Mt Everest for him. On the other hand, Kanchha gets up early in the morning, fills up the water, mops the floor, sweeps, makes breakfast, and carries the five KG's bag of Dhiraj up to his school bus stop. After washing dishes and finishing all the works he goes to school. Last week he was admitted to a government school at Tangal Ma Vi, Tangal. The government schools in Kathmandu are famous for the servant schools. He likes to study and shares his dream to be a THULO MANCHHE ( Great Man). When I asked what is THULO MANCHHE he flushed "Thaha chhaina tara Motorcycle chadhen ani taai lagaune". After school he comes back and his work starts again. Washing plates, preparing supper, watering the plants, going to market, again making dinner, cleaning the house, washing clothes and so on. Hi finds no time to get rest. He sleeps very late. He sleeps at storeroom which is just opposite from mine. The light of his room will be on till late night. There is always one sided and unspoken competition between him and me. Every night I challenge him I would wake up earlier than him but next morning when I will be ready for college he would be sweeping the courtyard. He greets me a with pleasant smile. Kanchha loves folk songs. When I play " Wari Jamuna…." Or "Sasuralima…" he erects his ears and tries to come to my room if he is free. He sounds romantic and cheerful by listening such type of songs. He looks lovely if he smiles so often I find a time to play songs just for him. Once I asked about him. He said that he is from a remote village of Gorkha. His father left for India last year. His only elder brother of 16 is " Maobadi" and lives in jungle. Once he also joined his brother but he ran away after 2 days. He has only a mother in village. ---------------- To be contd.... ---------------- Thanks for reading Please leave ur comments :-)