The Balloon man!!!

On my way back from a movie theater today, I crossed a balloon seller... there he was, a 50 something year old pulling along a large helium tank, old dirty clothes, and a hopeful eye on everyone passing by. This was not the first time I saw him and this will not be the last one.

I have never bought a balloon from him, because I considered it a waste of money. This after I just spent Rs. 200 on a movie ticket and another Rs. 250 for popcorn and coke. The balloon costs Rs. 10.

Each time I see him I wonder how much he must earn. Is it enough for him to feed his family? Does he have a family? How far does he travel to sell these balloons? Where does he stay? And many more such questions that my relative economic comfort gives me the luxury of.

And then wonder how much of what I spent on the movie would be enough for the balloon man's monthly expenses. And how much would my spending Rs. 10 help him. What can I do to help him out? Can I alone make a difference in his life?

At the same time I wonder about my last weekend's expenditure. The expense on the latest whim. Why can't I lead a simpler life? Why whatever I earn is only just enough?

I don't have the answer to all these questions. And what worries me more is that these questions only come to my mind when I see the balloon man. Maybe next time I will stop and ask these to him. Maybe he will have all the answers.