A copy of 17th century painter Velazquez painting of Pope Innocent painted as Pope John Paul 2

The boy and his angel (true story)

Today I was going on foot to have a bit of lunch. I sometimes see this 3 or 5-year-old boy on the streets on my way. He talks to everyone in cute little voice.. he seems to be a son of a street vendor or so but is always alone in the streets. Today I saw a western Lady talking to him, holding his hand and then buying him a juice and hugging him and at least for a few minutes, he would have experienced a mother's love and care. there seemed to be a lot of love. the boy seemed to be so happy in her presence and all the passersby were looking bit amused. I was touched by her warmth and kindness towards the boy.

The girl with the pearl earring with different model (study of Johannes Vermeer's painting")

The pen sellers of Madiwala (true life story)

Madiwala is a busy section of Bengaluru City, India. It is infamous for the heavy traffic blocks, Traffic could be blocked for 30 to 45 minutes sometimes.

What strikes me the most is the pen sellers of Madiwala. it is not their immensely long ball pens almost 30cms in length, which is remarkable. But the pen sellers are little kids, kids less than 10 years old, mostly 8 or 7 years old. Kids who should be in primary schools, in second or third grade.

These kids are in sun at 12 pm, or all day in the scorching heat, without any shade, they wander around the blocked traffic. Going around cars and autorickshaws pleading to people to buy their ball pens. They say 3 for twenty rupees

One or two girls are fiery entrepreneurs, One immensely aggressive with her marketing and sales skills. She has all the techniques to make you buy the pen. These little kids can sense someone who has a soft corner for them and persist with them. They seem to have good time management skills too, and don't waste their time if they sense the person isn't going to buy their pens.

I feel sorry for these children who have such a tough time in the sun all day, being made use of by some cruel cold-hearted adults. But I can't but admire their skills and courage and fight in them to survive.

And even though I resolve every time, not to buy from them again, I find myself yielding to their look in their eyes and pleas, " Please Sir Please," and " Buy one more too please, we didn't have food ". The Pen sellers of Madiwala have won again . or have they really?