As a girl, I was very fascinated with barbie dolls, fairy tales and dragons. The fascination has not yet died and fairly tales still intrigue me, make we want more.
As you readers must have realized that the Mumbai local train is a great teacher. All you need is an observant eye. But my today's story relied more around what I observed outside the station. Daily as I cross the subway, I see a group of beggars placed very strategically in the subway. Previously they used small children, thanks to slumdog millionaire the focus has now shifted to older women. Seeing them daily you realize they are not usual beggar. The way they dress, the way they behave and most importantly their clothes are not soiled. They don't beg but just sit around waiting patiently for that nickle sound to hit their bowl.
These old ladies are employed by someone to beg and they are merely paid a salary. The princess in this story is not born out of royalties, she is rather a normal women who is still probably working for her prince. Not a proud moment for her but life's brutality never left her with an option. She needs this job to take care of her offspring and her husband.
When a girl child is born, its not a proud moment in people's lives. They bring her up as it's their job. All these girls were taught that your prince charming will come on a white horse and will hush you off to his palace. When the time for their marriage arrived, they went with what their heart told them to do and gave it their all. This is when disappointment sets in. The failure of not living like a princess starts killing them inside. Kids grow up, husband's are not worthy of their sacrifice, the poor princess is now forced to beg to make ends meet.
It's a humbling story of every women. I can't change their fate but can express my thoughts. My princess is tired and old, but still putting up a strong front. These women are every princess in their own right. Beautiful from outside and inside. Thier demons are poverty, hunger and society, still they continue fighting. Life is not a fairy tale, but things get really bad when we give up and over think something too much. Specially something that we can't control. Take each day as it comes and smile. It may not resolve the issue but at least help you fight it better.
So next time you see an old lady begging... Don't consider her to be helpless.. but rather a fighter who has not quit living.. A princess in every every true sense.
God bless..
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