Genre: Random/ Non-Fiction ?

"Get up! Get up!" my mother shouted. I forced my eyelids open. I saw my mother's smiling face and managed a smile myself. 'Happy Birthday, Kannappa', she said, 'Get Dressed fast. We have to visit the temple before school'. I pulled out the bed covers and jumped out of bed. I rushed through my daily routine. I packed my books into my bag and also added a box of chocolates that I bought yesterday. I carried my packed bag out to the living room.

My mother was packing something into few tiny parcels. The smile I wore till now vanished as I glanced at my lunch – rice and vegetables – the same as ever. 'Mom, Can't you do something special at-least on my birthday?' I grumbled. 'What will I do Kannappa. This is what I can manage in the morning. Even I have to leave to work. But don't worry, today evening call your friends we'll have a good time', she said. I pretended not to pay heed to her as I shoved my lunch box into my bag.

I followed my mother to the temple nearby. The streets were crowded with shabby houses with equally shabby people. I barely paid attention as the priest performed the archana. When we left back, my mother pulled out the parcels she had made and started giving it to the poor people. As they opened their parcels their emotionless faces broke into smiles. Their sad eyes lit up at the sight of food. A little boy came out, poked his mother and asked, 'Ma, I am very hungry. Can I eat something before I go to school?' His mother smiled and gave him the parcel. She pointed at us and said something to him. The boy gave a smile and said 'Thank you for the food', and put something in my hand. It was a picture of God. I was dumbstruck. Even in dire poverty, the boy gave us something in return for food. I looked at them as they ate greedily. I thought then how I grumbled to take the same routine lunch everyday. That day, I decided never to complain about my lunch and to think of the boy and his mother if ever I want to complain. Till, this day I have adhered to that decision.