My Little Car

My Little Car is a short story narrating the little dreams and happiness of a small kid living in a village in the 70s. The story provides a little glimpse of the world around him through his eyes. 

Thank you, readers, for taking out time to read a little story.

Picture credit source: Image by DreamDigitalArtist from Pixabay 

 

My Little Car

In 1975, my village had most houses built of mud with thatched roofs. Dusty paths connected the streets. 

Most people lived in poverty. Small desires and events made them happy, and minor issues irritated them. 

It was a small village but too big to walk with my tiny steps.

“Lala (son), where are you?” grandma enquired. My grandma was in her early sixties, sometimes talking to herself. She had affection towards me. For hours, she used to play with me. I used to listen eagerly to her stories.

My house was built with muddy walls and husk and had a beautiful small lawn. There was a well nearby my house. My mother used to walk up to the well to fetch water for our family. I accompanied my mother one evening earlier and saw the water very deep. 

Visit to Local Market

“Lala, are you there! Your grandpa is looking for you,” a voice buzzed my ears again. I remained busy in one corner of the house lawn. My grandfather saw me on the lawn, quietly walked up to me from behind, and lifted me in his lap.

“Why were you digging the soil?” he enquired, cleaning my hands.
“Water is deep in the well and is far. I am digging the water here.”
“Oh! Don’t worry about the water. Let’s go to market. Many colourful toys out there!”
“Will you give me a car and tasty sweet?” I enquired curiously.
He nodded smilingly.

In the market, many children wearing colourful dresses with their mothers were buying toys, some were eating ice-creams, while few were enjoying a merry-go-round. Few children were playing hide-and-seek games in the noisy market. 

Different hawkers were busy selling different items of daily needs.

“Control your children!” shouted one hawker suddenly. One child had jumped over his vegetables from behind, spilling a few, and ran across the road to hide in the crowd opposite. 

Another child chasing him was caught by the people for doing mischief and handed to his mother. Later pulled his ears and yelled, “You didn’t go to school today, now doing mischief here. Go home!”

I smiled but became cold-faced when grandpa looked at me. I also didn’t go to my kindergarten today. I feared grandpa would ask me, but he didn’t.

Finally Got a Toy Car

My grandpa got busy buying household items. I kept looking at him curiously, “now he will buy me a sweet.” He passed by the toy and sweet shops having tempting fragrances. And look, nothing happened!
I asked eagerly, “you promised me a sweet!”
“Oh, I forgot,” said grandpa, carrying me in his lap.
“You forgot!”
“You promised me a car too. You always forget my toy!”
Grandpa finished shopping, then, “Ah! Here is your ice cream and a small car.” He offered. I was thrilled and put my little arms around him.
“What did you do today?” He kept me engaged on the way back home.

At home, I rushed to show my car to everyone and got busy with my car in a dreamy little world.