Car Wash Boy

Location: Bari Imam, Islamabad, Pakistan

When you park your car outside the shrine, without a doubt, one or another of the many children who make a living there washing visitors cars will pester you to let him wash your car.  As I was walking past the rows of cars a busted up umbrella landed at my feet.  It had fallen from the hands of a small boy who was trying to clamber up onto the boot of a car (to wash it).  I held it for him while he clambered up .. I told him he shouldn't climb onto the car as he might put a dent in it and the owner would be very displeased.  He said "Sir I am a small boy, I cant reach on top, I used to work with a team and I washed the tires, but now I'm going into business for myself"

I smiled at his entrepreneurial spirit,  I then handed him his umbrella, curious to see what he would do with it and he just used it as a sunshade.  I asked why are you using the umbrella, and he says "Mom says the sun is too hot and I will get sick !"

Just one long sigh .. amazed at his spirit and yet very saddened by his circumstances