The other side of the window
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Sharath Bhat | May 03, 2009
I was at this ice cream parlor with some friends the other day and saw a young, indulgent mother with two little kids – who were going berserk choosing some very exotic looking scoops and toppings. Just the excitement on their faces was an image framed for my photo gallery.
Then something else caught my eye – there were three children outside the large glass window – probably from the construction site next door. It’s so hard to describe the look on their faces, as the kids inside finished cone after cone after cone. Mouths wide open, eyes transfixed and envy that only a child on the other side of the window would know.
I suddenly noticed that the young mother had also seen them; she invited them inside – much to the discomfort of the parlor owner. The young mother then let them take their pick from the magical glass-topped freezer. The look on their totally befuddled faces is another image I’d treasure for life.
The lady saw my amused look and came by our table to chat with us. “I’m not sure if I have done the right thing,” she said. “These kids will probably expect other mothers who come to this parlor to buy them ice cream. I felt so guilty, each time I ordered something for my kids.”
Later in the day, I began to wonder. That lady’s gesture could actually be stretched to a wider canvas. If the children could help clean the interiors of the parlor, there could be little rewards first and then maybe more responsible work – something that could give them an opportunity to earn a little money. Perhaps, go to evening school as well.
I know this will infuriate those who could view this as a perfect case for child labour. I can see them running a yellow highlighter on the paragraph above, with some pretty strong comments.
But I choose to think differently on this.
As long as children are not exploited – not given work that is physically taxing – not abused – not made to work for long hours … it is perfectly okay by me. Especially if you can give them an opportunity to earn a little money and know that there’s something to do in return. And not expect every mother who walks into the parlor to buy ice cream for them – just because they feel bad or guilty.
Just my thoughts on a reward system that can actually open doors – for kids on the street and probably nowhere to go.
Filed Under: Miscellaneous
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I wanted to thank you for that lovely little article about the ice cream parlor. At first, I thought it was going to be the usual tale about the “haves” pitted against the “have-nots”–with a lesson in social justice on the side. Instead, you offered the model of personal responsibility as opposed to entitlement. This is a much better lesson for a child than perpetual dependency. Far from being explotation, the chance to work and see the positive result of one’s efforts opens the door to true equality. This is the best way to get to the “inside” of life’s ice-cream store and enjoy its rewards. For me, this started with earning an allowance as a kid in exchange for certain chores. Seems like a small thing, but a solid work ethic is a priceless gift.
This is a priceless remembering. A number of people do thier social responsibility due to whatever the means. We can’t think at that time what others will think of our do. Someimes we do also although we don’t think otherwise.
I totally agree with you about responsible “exploitation” if you could call it that. Totally impressed by the focus we found in a young boy of 12 who came to us for a job, my father hired him in our family run restaurant initially as a waiter and later as the Manager. We had him attend night school compulsorily. Gave him time to study and leave during his exams. He stayed with us and sent his salary home to supplement his father’s meagre earnings. He is now a hardware engineer employed in the Gulf and lives there with his wife and two children.