Walk to a Wall

You meet this cutie this morning and suddenly ask " ये स्कूल कहां है तुम्हारा?"
And he just responds in excitement," साथ चल के ही देख लो"।

खैर उत्सुकतावश मैने पूछ तो लिया पर इस आमंत्रण की उम्मीद न थी ।

I followed him to a path less trodden and mostly surrounded with majestic Mango trees. The dry leaves would crumble beneath each feet and I was afraid of a snake or an insect popping out at each step. He flowed like a river that is oblivious of its own depth but sure of its destination. He moved seamlessly like a guide taking through a trekk he has tramped million times and he know details of every stone, curve, tree, bird on that way. We headed to an open area crowded with dozens of kids who have walked through similar paths from different directions of the village. Kids jumping, hopping, chirping around, probably telling tales of what happened in their neighborhood or what they saw this morning while walking to school.
The space was not only filled with bright colours of their clothes but also with love and joy. Excitement and hope was evident in the air.

While I was engrossing the space in me, the kid shouted "ये लो देखो हमारा स्कूल".

And I wondered where are the walls boy ?

:Written from an experience in Kelavani (a tribal village in South Gujarat).