this or that?

while travelling by a bus this morning, i saw a mentally challenged boy. he was sitting with his mother and perhaps travelling to some place which....did he even know where?

i was sitting just opposite to him and hence got to observe him for a long time. and though it was a bit disturbing to see such a cute young boy challenged, it was also a wonderful experience observing him.

he seemed so happy, so carefree. he laughed at everything, smiled at everyone and just did what his heart pleased. it made me wonder if he lived in a better world. while on one hand, he surely has to go through a lot of hardships, he also has been blessed to remain ignorant of the worldly worries that plague the rest of us. he is so oblivious to the stares, the whispers and (unfortunately, or annoyingly so) the taunts that always accompany him. it made me wonder if he was happier than all of us were?

and that was when it struck me...who decides what's good and what's bad? what if we are just accustomed to believing that we are the best. who has ever told us that the mentally challenged world isnt perfect and ours is? what if its the other way round?

i dont have answers to these questions, but just sitting there and looking at the boy and occassionally reciprocating his smiles and waves made my day. it was such a beautiful thing. sad that he is different, but great that he is - it gives him a life that we only read of in fairytales. god bless him forever and ever :)