A Piece of Smile

Ethan was a rickshaw puller in the bustling streets of Mumbai. Every morning, before the city awoke, he would set out with his rickshaw, hoping to earn enough to feed his wife and two children. Life was tough, but he never complained. Instead, the sweet words of a fellow passenger, the crisp morning air, and the giggling of his children when he got home brought him joy. One day, as he navigated through the crowded streets, he noticed a little girl standing near a school gate, looking around nervously. She wore a plain blue dress and two neat braids for her hair. Something about her innocent face caught Ethan’s attention.

He came to a stop close to her and gently inquired, "Are you lost, little one?" With big, concerned eyes, the girl looked up at him. “No, Uncle. I missed my school van. My mother will be so worried if I don’t reach school on time.”

Ethan smiled warmly. “Come, I will take you.”

The girl hesitated for a moment but then nodded. She climbed onto the rickshaw, and Ethan carefully started pedaling toward the school. As they moved, he spoke to her kindly.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Sophia,” she replied. “I study in third grade.”

Ethan nodded. “That’s wonderful! You must study well and make your parents proud.”

Sophia smiled shyly. “I love going to school, but today I woke up late, and my van left without me. I was so scared.”

Ethan chuckled. “That happens sometimes. But don’t worry, you’ll reach school safely now.”

When they reached the school gate, Sophia quickly got down. A five-rupee note was pulled out of her small bag. "Uncle, I don't have any more money, but take this," I said. Ethan shook his head. “No, little one. Keep it. Your smile is my payment.”

Sophia’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Thank you, Uncle! I will tell my mother about you.”

With that, she ran inside, waving as she disappeared into the school.
Ethan let out a sigh and pedaled off, his heart warming. The day continued as usual—he carried passengers, worked hard under the scorching sun, and earned just enough for his family’s needs.
That evening, as he was about to return home, he heard someone calling him.

“Uncle! Uncle!”

He turned to see Sophia running toward him, holding her mother’s hand. Her mother was a well-dressed woman, elegant yet kind.
“This is the kind rickshaw uncle I told you about, Mama!” Sophia said excitedly.

The woman gave Ethan a warm smile. “Thank you for helping my daughter today. I was so worried when I heard she missed her school van.”

Ethan smiled humbly. “She is a brave little girl. I was pleased to assist." The woman looked at him thoughtfully and then said, “Would you like to work as our driver? My husband and I were looking for someone trustworthy to take Sophia to school every day.”

Ethan was taken aback. A stable job meant security for his family. He hesitated before nodding. “That would be an honor, ma’am.”

Sophia clapped her hands. “Yay! I can now safely attend school each day! The woman handed Ethan her contact number. “Come to our home tomorrow morning. We’ll discuss everything.”

That night, as Ethan returned home, he had a bright smile on his face. His life had been transformed by a small act of kindness. The next morning, he arrived at Sophia’s home—a beautiful house in a peaceful neighborhood. He was greeted warmly by Sophia's father, who also offered him a fair compensation for his work. For the first time in years, Ethan felt a sense of stability.

As the days passed, Sophia and Ethan became good friends. She loved telling him about her school, her favorite subjects, and her dreams of becoming a doctor. Ethan, in return, shared stories of his own childhood, teaching her about resilience and hard work.
Sometimes, a single smile can open the doors to happiness.

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