Father

Several sunbeams peeped through his huge shabby umbrella that was adorned with numerous holes here and there. Underneath, a stature bent forward, putting the weight on two feeble legs, all sweaty and grimy. His hands stained with black shoe polish, constantly rubbing a boot pompously placed on the wooden slope. His practiced fingers motioned swiftly from one side to the other without a pause. As soon as the job was done, the owner of the shoes handed him over a crumpled ten-rupee note, slightly damp with sweat. His eyes sparkled- few more tens and he could buy a new pair of chappals for his little 5-year-old.