Tender Coconut and tender heart

I was walking with my eight-year-old son in the street. My son wanted to have tender coconut as it was a very hot day. As there is no one best time to have coconut water, I agreed. A person was selling fresh tender coconuts in a rickety cart. I asked one with full water and was curiously observing how he effortlessly cuts the coconut with a sickle. While he was speaking incessantly to the neighbouring vendor while chopping, he had a minor cut in his finger and immediately blood was dripping. He was least bothered about it and wiped in his lungi.  For him, the sale of the tender coconut counted rather than the minor cut. He then handed us a straw. As soon as I paid, my son was ready to drink it. I told him to have it later. My son was puzzled about my firmness in having it later.

After moving far away from the cart selling the coconut, I saw a poor man begging on the streets and I gave the tender coconut to him. He was happy to have it and blessed us. My son was about to throw tantrums. I explained to him about the slit in the coconut seller’s finger and by any chance if the blood had mixed in the coconut water, there is a serious risk of incurable disease. I promised him to get another one later that day. Having done my job as a responsible mother, I continued walking. My son after a while asked me, why will the disease affect only us? will it not affect the beggar? If it affects him, how will he get cured without a penny in hand? Are beggars let to die with diseases? I did not have answers for the plethora of questions thrown at me. Kids teach us life’s lessons with their tender hearts and noble thoughts.