Money to see a doctor

Prakash wiped the sweat from his forehead. The auto-rickshaw was stifling, but he couldn’t afford to rest. His son was burning with fever, and Prakash needed to make enough money to see a doctor.

“Sion station,” said the passenger as he climbed into the seat.

Half an hour later, Prakash pulled up at the station. “Fifty rupees,” he said. The man handed over the money and hurried away, lost in the crowd.

As Prakash reached for his water bottle, his eyes caught sight of a wallet on the back seat. It was thick, heavy with currency notes. His heart raced. He jumped out, scanning the bustling station for the man, but he was nowhere to be found.

Prakash’s gaze returned to the wad of cash. He thought of his son, pale and weak at home. After a long pause, he made a decision and sped home.

“Token fifteen,” called the nurse at the clinic. Prakash’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the doctorit was the passenger whose wallet now sat in his pocket. Panic surged, and he started to rise from his seat.

But the doctor looked him in the eye and said quietly, “I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll treat your son.”