Touched by magic

When was the last time I sought out a cobbler? It must have been really long ago because I thought the rate was Re 1 per stitch. “Five ...

When was the last time I sought out a cobbler? It must have been really long ago because I thought the rate was Re 1 per stitch. “Five rupees,” the boy said, barely glancing at my Hawaii slipper.

I looked around to see if the man and woman who I normally saw sitting at that spot were around. The boy must be their son. His dishevelled appearance told me he hadn’t gone to school. I snapped out of the uncomfortable thought with an attempt at conversation. “Make it strong” I said.

The boy ignored me and called out to his grease-splattered friend at the nearby shop. Even as he worked swiftly, he chattered away. The language was alien to me.

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When the job was done, I handed him the change and was about to say something when the two boys ran out of the kiosk, leaving me gaping.

I followed them with my eyes even as my mind raced. How many beedis would they get for Rs 5? I regretted not having waited till the cobbler or his wife returned. Regret turned to concern when I noticed the two had split the change and parted in a rush. One went across the road while the other ran to occupy the spot by the yellow phone booth. I was convinced the boys were upto no good. Could they be making threatening or obscene calls?

I couldn’t rest without knowing more. So, later in the day, I went to the sweet shop outside which the yellow phone box hung. I made a token purchase and plunged into conversation. “That coin box must be getting full everyday!” I said. “I even saw the cobbler’s son on the phone this morning!” And added, “Wonder who he was calling.” “Who else!” the man said with an indulgent smile, “He must have been talking to the other fellow!”

The man clarified, “The two boys are crazy about talking over the phone. They know this number. One of them stands here and the other goes to some other phone booth and calls. The two talk to each other! They do this everyday and waste whatever money they get on this game!” I felt suddenly humbled. Had technology ever charmed me so, I wondered wistfully. Then I recalled the day, almost half a century ago, when a group of kids stood reverentially in front of the neighbour’s new radio. It felt good to remember that I too had tasted a similar joy, sometime in my life!