It only takes a Spark

This is the story of Meenakshi, a little 10 year old girl who sold flowers in a small one lane town in Chennai. Little Meenu was slightly deformed as her one leg was shorter than the other. She therefore limped and everyone referred to her as 'nonti'. Meenu didn't mind at all. She greeted all her customers with a smile and even enquired after their health and well being.

Diwali generally saw an increased demand for flowers and Meenu's day started very early. People both young and old rushed to get the best of flowers either for the temple or to wear on their person. "Today I'll be able to earn some more money and my family can have a better meal," she said to herself.

In the same lane very close to her house lived an old man who was a loner. He hardly stepped out and whenever seen was always grumpy. Everyone made an effort to stay away from him including the strays. Little Meenu, however, tried to be friendly with him and always made an effort to leave some flowers at his doorstep before she commenced her trade for the day.

The day being Diwali, she dared to knock at his front door and greet him with a large bouquet of fresh red roses. The roses were bright red as fresh strawberries.

"Good morning mama, Happy Diwali" "Shoo, go away" said the old grumpy.

"Mama, see what I brought you' she handed out the bouquet of roses. "Go away girl, I don't want them".

"Mama, please take them I made them especially for you, it's Diwali" "No go away, I don't want them".

Brokenhearted little Meenu walked away promising herself to try again later in the day.

Business was brisk that day but somehow she couldn't keep grumpy mama out of her mind. Many people who visited her small outlet set their eyes on the strawberry coloured roses. However, no amount of cajoling or even offering larger sums of money, could make her part with the beautiful bouquet. "This is for my Mama" she said.

Later in the day when all her flowers were sold out, she picked up the bouquet and her basket and reached mama's house. The front door was slightly ajar and from within she heard crying sounds. Meenu quietly went in and saw him sobbing.

He looked up with tear-filled eyes and saw little Meenu with the bouquet of roses.

He reached out and took the bouquet and clutched her hands in his.

"I didn't think you'd come back " saying this he took the bouquet and her tiny hands in his.

Sobbing he told her, "It was Diwali, the day I lost my wife and my daughter years ago. I returned home with similar roses". "My daughter was your age".

"Mama your daughter is here, I am your daughter" she said sobbing. The small spark of love from little Meenu changed Mr. Grumpy

It only takes a spark to keep the fire of love glowing.