The perfect braid

Chanchala’s Ajji, Yamuna Kaki, sat outside her little hut waiting for Chanchala. Every evening after school Chanchala would take her grandmother to the village market. She would gently lead Kaki to her little shop and set up the basket full of small jasmine flowers and the ready gajras (small garlands of flowers worn in the hair by girls and women in India). At the market while Kaki sold her flowers and garlands Chanchala would set up her knick-knack shop where she sold hair-pins, combs, rubber-bands, hair-bands, ribbons, kajal etc. When the sale for the day was done Chanchala would wind up and go back home with Kaki. “God bless you, my dear. I have a failing vision but you are like my eyes.” Yamuna Kaki was gradually losing her vision due to a progressive cataract problem. Having Chanchala around to help her was a blessing indeed. Thus lived this duo of grandma-granddaughter in this little village of Chinchol in rural Maharashtra.

One day while at the market Chanchala heard an announcement being made over the PA system. “The government has organized a drive for Cataract operations. Those who wish to benefit can register and pay a sum of Rs. 5000/- and regain their eye-sight.” “Maybe this could be a golden opportunity for Kaki.” thought Chanchala, “but Rs.5000/-…?!” Suddenly the dearth of a steady income made Chanchala realise the perils of poverty. That evening on the way back home Yamuna Kaki noticed Chanchala’s silence. “God has a plan for all of us.” said the old lady gently as if she’d read Chanchala’s  mind. But the little girl seemed determined to help. The only question though, was ‘how?’

Chanchala spent a sleepless night. Next evening as she was combing her hair Chanchala stopped shot. It was as if she had a brain-wave! Before reaching their little shop Chanchala bought 2 small mirrors. Next, she painted a board ‘Bollywood Hair-styles just for Rs.100/-’. Chanchala chose a Friday evening to start her new business just next to Yamuna Kaki’s shop. Initially, no-one came. But soon an elderly lady stopped by. “I want a special plait.” Chanchala soon set to work. She skillfully started braiding the lady’s hair. Once done, she picked up flowers from Yamuna Kaki’s basket and started decorating the braid. Chanchala’s aesthetic sense was impeccable. As her fingers deftly stitched the jasmine flowers into her hair a small crowd of girls and women began to gather around her. Chanchala gave the lady a small mirror and held the other one behind the lady’s head. “This is so beautiful.” said the lady as she saw the reflection of the hair-do. By now the small crowd of women and girls were all enamored at what they saw. Such a neat, pretty braid stitched with the most delicate Jasmine flowers from Yamuna Kaki’s basket of flowers. Soon every young girl and woman wanted her hair braided! What started on Friday went on for the whole weekend. Soon Chanchala earned more and more money.

A week later Chanchala counted the money and realized she fell short of Rs.100/-. “Let me try my luck. Deva, madad kar mala (‘God, please help me’ – in Marathi language)”. The next day, Chanchala went to register Yamuna Kaki’s name for the Eye surgery. The lady at the desk counted the money. She looked at Chanchala. She saw the pride of an achievement in her eyes, yet, at once a gleam of anxiety. “Whom is this for?” Chanchala told the lady about Yamuna Kaki. “Well, maybe you can braid my hair.” said the lady at the desk with a twinkle in her eye. “Yes!…Yes, I will!!” said Chanchala happily. She was suddenly so excited that God did after all help her! Chanchala plaited the most exquisite braid for the lady. This one braid neither would she forget nor would the lady!

Thus a little girl stood tall to do all and everything she could to restore her grandmother’s eye-sight.

Fortunate are those who have an eye-sight. And blessed are those who have an eye to sight, feel and empathise!

Vaijayanthi