The Limping Teacher

I was riding back home after a hectic day at work. Work has been hectic to say the least and today it was no better. Was frustrated with what was happening in life, and to add to that I was getting Red signals. The shrieking horns, the over crowded bus infront, the smoke laden air were all making me mad now. To add to the miseries I had skipped my lunch as I was stuck with some issue at work.
I decided to stop over at an eating joint to have something. As it was too late, the menu had only Dosa, and Dosas find the lowest rank in my priority list. I did not have the patience to look for another place and I reluctantly ordered for the same. It seemed the entire world was against me.
I was still grumping until something took my attention.
There was this old man. He must be in his sixties, bald, wrapped by a layer of hanging skin over a skeletal frame. He looked feeble. Eyes sockets barely managing to hold his eyes. He was standing on the other side of the road. His face was filled with anticipation. I wondered- What would be this man getting from his life? What could the hope be?
Constant gazing helped me reconcile to the fact that he was looking for traffic to slow down, so that he could cross. His legs were shaking.
I wondered. He must have had a fight at home and he would be trembling with rage. Or may be he had the fear of being run down by a speeding vehicle or may be his age must have taken a toll of him.
I looked.
And then finally the moment came. He limped through those ten feet. Those ten feet looked like miles to him.
And then he made it. The tension was flushed out with expressions of victory. He had won over his situation. He turned around with head held high to measure his victory lap.
I then realized - Such petty things become a challenge in life and there are people fighting against it, each day, each minute. Life is how you make it out to be.
I cursed myself - for cursing my situation.