The "Milky way" man, Saravanan

A young boy delivers cow milk to our house, every single day; He is always a busy man, holding the milk-can as his baton, running door to door with lightening speed; Wearing a big, humble and genuine smile while he pours milk. 

It is such a welcoming and innocent smile that we got quickly acquatinted and bonded with him in a matter of a month.

On a leisurely Friday evening, while my Amma was busy searching for a milk container, I casually started engaging him with small talks.

That young boy who looked like a school kid, I asked him, "Are you studying pa, is this a part time job?"

He replied as a matter of fact, "No Akka (sister), I stopped studying after 10th and have been delivering milk from my school days"

He enlisted a big list of apartments he delivers. He naughtily says, "Even if I go late, they won't scold me as am delivering them for a very long time from my 8th std."

I ask him curiously, "Very long time and from 8th std?"

That is when his story got unfolded. Not just a story, but a story that kept me pondering with an inspiring urge to share it with many through this blog.

"When I was in 8th std, me and my father used to partner with our relatives to extract milk from cows and deliver them for our livelihood. 

All of a sudden, they abandoned us saying they would take care of their cows by themselves. We were heartbroken not knowing what to do for money"

By that time, my Amma had the milk container ready at hand and joined us at the entrance.

Inferring that Amma was also showing interest in his story, I prompted him to continue his story, "ok, then?"

After fondingly pouring the milk, he continued his story. "However poor or challenging the situation was, we never begged or borrowed even a single rupee from anyone.

We took up a rented cow and started delivering milk at a small scale initially."

I was reminded of my Appa's principle of not borrowing even a single rupee even during his challenging times. I continued to listen to him with even more rapt attention.

The boy continued, "At those challenging times, eating meal even once a day would be a big deal. We just drink tea in the morning, and only at night, we have some food.."

Sensing an inspiring story, I asked him, "For how many years did this challenging times continue?"

"For 3 long years, Akka. With the hard earned income and savings, we finally managed to buy one cow and continued delivering milk, day and night."

"Wow, Day and night? When do you sleep at all?", I asked him out of concern.

He replied very casually, "I wake up at 4am sharp, extract and deliver milk roaming all areas around, having just a cup of tea in the morning.

I come back home by 12pm, sleep for a couple of hours, have Amma's lunch and continue the routine from 4pm until 12am. 

Sometimes, my hand used to pain very badly while milking and lifting the milk can, probably becos of low food intake."

That is when motherly love pours out of my Amma and she says, "Do not skip morning meals pa, Aleast eat twice a day whenever you can to gain strength."

He smiles and says, "Yes maa, I now have money, but couldn't get time as I keep roaming"

He continues his story enthusiastically,

"With God's blessings, now we own around 50 cows, earning upto 20k monthly and I am very contended and peaceful. God has given us enough, akka!"

How elegantly has the young boy conveyed every person's biggest wantings in life - Contentment and peace - through simple ways!

Wanting to hear more, I ask him, "Where do you keep the cows?"

"We keep them in our home shed itself. As a principle, we never ever beat them!

And you know what, whether WE have comfort or not, we provide them all the comfort through fan, shed, good food, bathing them twice a day especially before extracting milk. 

They are the reason for our livelihood and we are ever grateful to them!"

I was wonderstruck with his simple yet powerful way of exhibiting his "Gratitude" through compassion and warmth to his source of livelihood.

I convey the same to him dearly and I ask, "It is good to see you being the strong pillar of your family. Are you the only child?"

A mild little worry spreads across his smiling face and he opens up, 

"No Akka, I have one younger brother who is specially abled with mental retardation. 

We take care of him as a child though he's 24 now. What to do Akka, God has given us such another challenge!"

Tears welled up my eyes and I was at a loss of words. 

 

"It's ok Akka, God has blessed us in someway or the other through cows. 

I am also blessed with an able wife who is also working. 

Those relatives who once abandoned us for money, are now at envy seeing our growth."

We interchange few more words and 

my Amma genuinely interrupts me saying he's getting late for his work and he smilingly says not to worry as he's early today and signs off with his trademark smile.

My mind kept pondering over that young gentleman's story. Though there are so many struggles, he has remained hard working, persevering, loving; Above all, he has exhibited gratitude and compassion towards life in his own way. 

Genuine, heartening conversations & stories like this, are my boost of faith and hope towards life and humanity.

 

Inspirations are all around us; If our eyes and minds are open enough, isn't it?

What are your takeaways from the life story of this ever smiling milkman?

     Saravanan, that milk delivery boy, posing for my blog request, with his trademark innocent smile

Eagerly awaiting thoughtful comments in this post's comments section!

P.S on the title of blog:

Milky way is known to be " a broad band of light that is caused by the light of a very large number of faint stars". In a similar sense and in my perception, this young chap shines brightly and exhibits light of hope and faith.

Yours Soulfully,

Gargi SMARam🌟