Thursday, August 20, 2009

Relentless Worker

This gentleman sits opposite my building and mends and polishes footwear. I watch him at work everyday from my window sill and appreciate his relentless toil. Since he sits exactly opposite my entrance, his alternate vocation is also to guard the building when our watchman is away. He executes this task as well with great élan.

His day begins around 9 am and ends around 730 pm. He has a very keen eye and would often mention to me the visitors that came to my building or any unusual incident that happened during the day. I keenly observe him on my holidays and seen him very intent at work. His focus is on everybody’s feet ( I like to call it 'legs' since this is what I also observe apart from his work). His workmanship is of the highest order and rarely have I seen an unsatisfied customer or observed anybody complaining. He regales his customers with the latest updates on cricket which for him is a passion. Humble and down to earth is how I would describe him, who ensures others’ feet are placed comfortably on the ground. I have often seen him drawing customers into long conversations while tending to them, and also indulging in uncontrollable bouts of laughter. I again wonder at such times whether he is pulling their legs or their footwear.

Coming to other interesting observations, I have often watched the fairer sex bare their shapely legs and well formed feet in front of him. Is it a source of distraction or motivation for him, I often wonder? There are, of course, times when the legs are also rotund, fleshy and not very great to look at, and I turn my stare away from these. Can he afford such choices of selection as I do? I think he cares any less, and probably this happens when certain things become profession for some, and ‘eye soothing’ for folks like me.

Regardless of caste, creed, religion, haves and have nots, he goes about his daily chores to ensure people are on their feet. What would the world be without such sincere and hardworking souls who play their roles to perfection, and that too without much ado and a frown in their faces? Kudos to him for upholding the dignity of labour and planting people’s feet firmly on terra firma.

18 comments:

Kavi said...

The choices that you excercise come forth clearly sir !

:)

On another note, it is awesome to note that you have been looking at this ordinary man and thinking extraordinary thoughts.

It is in the ordinariness of lives that rest the extraordinary ability to weave a tale, touch a soul or walk the path.

You have done all of that eloquently here !

Sucharita Sarkar said...

I guess that man is almost like a doctor, who is used to seeing beautiful patients, and does not see the beauty but only the distress that beauty is in.

But I saw and admired the beauty of your post.

Amit said...

well, great observation i must say...but i guess education corrupts mind at a level...the more you know, more is your IQ, more the chances of having any pervert thoughts at seeing a naked feet !

Amit

nsiyer said...

hi Kavi! Very well written. I got it.

Hi Sucharita , your comparison was good. Yes, things look different .

nsiyer said...

hi Kavi! Very well written. I got it.

Hi Sucharita , your comparison was good. Yes, things look different .

nsiyer said...

it's all in the mind, Amit. I am unable to see connect to education.

Urmi said...

Very beautiful post. I enjoyed reading it as you have presented it very nicely. You have a great observation power and you are also an excellent writer.

Aparna said...

A simple man's life, described in simple words.

I think he sees feet of the people and thinks about the job he has to do. I do not think he has any time to waste thinking about the beauty or ugliness of the feet.

He also seems to be pretty happy soul.

Sylvia K said...

A lovely post, indeed! There are extraordinary people who do so much for others above and beyond their actual job and how great it is to be able to see and appreciate them. Thanks!

Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

sujata sengupta said...

What he sees daily is just a job for him, I dont think he notices the beauty anymore than the ugliness of the feet, each pair of feet would mean a few more coins for him. But am sure he would have a few friends who would sit by him admiring the leggy lasses who come to his shop!!

June Saville said...

Hello again Nsiyer
So often we don't seem to notice the most important cogs in the wheels of our lives. However, you have done so here I think ...
June in Oz

nsiyer said...

Great Babli, am happy you enjoyed the post.

Aparna , thanks, you were right.


SYLVIA, YOU ARE RIGHT.

nsiyer said...

SUJATA, THAT'S WHAT I MEANT BY WRITING THAT THINGS CHANGE WHEN THEY BECOME OUR PROFESSION.

Thanks June for coming over and give your inspiring comments.

betty-NZ said...

Interesting perceptions.

Anu...:) said...

Sometimes the most common things or most common people often teach us the common sense required to live life without whining about anything! :)

Unknown said...

Sorry about not commenting earlier. I was for sometime totally self absorbed. Thanks for shaking me out of my reverie!!!

The industriousness of Mumbai people never cease to amaze me. The gentleman in question multitasks so efficiently. I should say it is just another day in the life of a simple mumbaikar.

My friend is an eye doctor and is also a total about for eyes. I ask him if beautiful ones distracts him. He says that eyes are his job.

Saritha said...

Sorry its been long i didnt come here.

I know a cobbler whoes daughter got 9th rank in the state 10th board and scored 90% in twelth class.

♥ Braja said...

I love the last paragraph...