But, for one of my colleagues - lets call him TBP - I made an exception. Initially, I was cautious in my responses, what with him being the client and me being just an external consultant. Later on, as I worked more with him, I realized he is a gem of a person. Unlike most people I know, he wasn’t ashamed to say ‘I don’t know’ when he didn’t.
On a personal level, he helped me a lot. When I was staying in the same town as he did, he insisted on dropping me home everyday, though he stayed at the other end of the town. He did the groundwork for finding me an accommodation near to the office, which I did, staying with an excellent family (more on them later). When I wanted to visit someplace, TBP was my first point of reference. He was quick to make fun of me and even quicker to ridicule himself.
All in all, a great guy.
Just before the start of Easter holiday, he asked if I would like to see Møns Clint, the famous chalk cliffs in Denmark. Of course, I could not pass up an opportunity like this. We asked another colleague and he was ready too. On the day of travel, TBP came to pick me from my home. Along with him was his angelic five year old daughter, Tilda. The other colleague informed us at the last moment that he wont be able to make it, so it was just three of us.
Tilda speaks only Danish but understands some English. She was scared of me, all kids are, nothing new. Whenever I tried to address her, she hid behind her daddy. TBP strapped her to the child seat while I rode shotgun.
On the highway, we were having a free-wheeling chat about everything and laughing loudly when Tilda said something in Danish. TBP said, with no one to talk to, she was feeling lonely and she did not want the guys to have fun. So, we sat silent for some time and then started the talking/laughing again. Once again, we were admonished by Tilda. This time, we were silent for a longer duration. She found a coloring book and was occupied with it, so the guys were allowed to have fun. After two hours of driving, we reached Møns Clint. During these two hours, my numerous attempts to talk to the child produced zero results. But she was no longer trying to hide from me, which showed that I was definitely progressing.
After a snack, we set ourselves to the monstrous task of descending the 400 odd steps to the shore and pick up some natural chalk for Tilda and her brother. With a huge burger inside, TBP was hardly spry while Tilda was on a sugar high due to pancakes and orange marmalade. I had a protein bar, so I was feeling light and full.
I tried to match Tilda step for step and, though it is difficult to match the energy level of a five year old on a sugar high, I was fairly successful. It also warmed her up towards me. After a couple of hundred steps, she was as uninhibited with me as she might have been with other children. Sometimes she outran me, at times she insisted I carry her and at times, she wanted to carry me on her shoulders and I let her think she did. By the time we reached the bottom, we were buddies.
When we reached the shore, she was talking to me in Danish, I could not understand a word but I was making the right noises at what I thought were the right times. A five year old would hardly bear grudges if you don’t understand all she says. TBP was translating her words to English and mine to Danish, serving as a bridge between us.
At one point, she said something which made him pause. It was apparent he was struggling for words. Then he said, “You wont believe what she just said!”
“And what was that?”
“Never knew my daughter is a philosopher. She said, ‘though he does not speak my language, he can still be my friend. Tell him that’”
It was my turn to be awestruck. I had never expected this level of wisdom from a child.
I bowed to her and said, “I am honored to have you as my friend.”
Once again, TBP was struggling, but for a different reason. He said, “For God’s sake, Anant, she is five. She does not know the concept of honor. Give her something simpler.”
“Just tell her, I am happy to have her as my friend.”
This he did and I got a wide smile from her. Then she said something which, translated by her father meant, “It is so cold here. Hurry, we have to fill this bag with chalk.”
Which I did.
Anything for a friend.
1 comment:
Beautiful!
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