The Monster forced him to do those things. Endure the scorching heat of the sun and the sudden drops of the rains. Sleep by the sidewalks just to be able to reserve a spot in the line. The borrowed money was just enough for a one way ride. No extra cash for food. He just had to feed on what was left of him. Hope. Hope that he would win the game of chances. The probability was close to nil. What with the thousands of people just like him also waiting in line. Everyone hoping and hanging on to their dreams.
It is the same Monster which has been repeatedly playing with his fortune. His and of the millions of others who are just like him. Their stories are different, yet very much the same. The Monster owns them all.
This same Monster chose to get even crueler with his fate. It decides to push him. Push him harder even if he can’t move on any further. And when he couldn’t move on a step further, he stumbles. Down on the ground, the Monster pins him down. He cries. But it doesn’t heed his call. It continues by planting its ugly feet on his back. The weight crushes him. His shriek of pain dissolves into a whimper of submission. With unbearable pain of the repeated blows squashing his already beaten up body, he surrenders. His frail body can only take so much.
The Monster leaves him. Lifeless.
Crushed not only was his body, but also his dreams. His family’s hope and fortune remains dim, if not darker with his death. Another story of unthinkable misfortune. Another tale of human tragedy.
The Monster continues to claim lives. Many more lives of people like him who cannot break away from its clutches.
The Monster has a name. And it is called Poverty.
No comments:
Post a Comment