Boot Polish

Boot Polish

Sunil reached Mumbai Kurla railway station to board the evening train back home. He was early and was waiting for the train to arrive in the platform. He looked around and saw an old cobbler sitting beside a steel pole on the platform, religiously polishing shoes for his customer, and full of smiles.

Sunil observed that the cobbler was doing his work methodically. He also keenly observed that the cobbler had a very infectious smile.

Observing people is an art.

The cobbler sat on a small cushion on the floor and in front of him was the working table which had the metal shoe stand mounted to hold the shoe while repairing and polishing. On the side of the working table was written “Rs.15 for “cream” and Rs.10 for sada” polish. Besides him, were a variety of shoe polishes, shoe soles, sandals, and other shoe accessories.

Sunil noticed that within minutes, the shoes were transformed to sparkling black and the cobbler gave back the shoes to the customer with happiness and smiles at his own good work.

Sunil’s train arrived and after getting into the compartment, his eyes turned again towards the cobbler. His keen observations led his mind to explore the distinct behaviour of the cobbler and the reasons behind the cobbler’s happiness.

Sunil’s mind got into a rational exploratory mode - to find answers to the many questions spinning in his mind about the cobbler –

“How can an individual be so happy and ever smiling when people around are clouded in their own thoughts, continuously thinking about something or the other, some with stress and most in pensive moods?”

“Here was a man, a cobbler, who was using his skills to perform his work diligently. Many would say that these skills are “low level” skills. But the cobbler was not bothered about anyone’s opinion. The cobbler was also a professional, earning a living by using his skills.”

Sunil wondered about himself, “He was an engineer and a management graduate, using his business skills to manage his business. But what is the difference between the cobbler’s and his outlook towards life?”

“The answer lies in very simple facts of life – Everyone is running after something or trying to achieve something in life, leading to stress, fear of the unknown and not realising that there is more to life. Many people have forgotten the meaning of “contentment.”

Contentment is a virtue and people who are contended with what they have, see life differently and have no regrets.

We have made life so complicated that we do not have time for experiencing happiness in small things in life and enjoy life as it comes.”

On the other hand, Sunil felt that the cobbler was also working hard for his living but at the same time, enjoyed his work and was definitely not thinking about success, creating wealth or wanting for more.

In reality, most of us have forgotten the question to ask ourselves – what are we trying to achieve in life and whom are we trying to satisfy in life? Tough questions with no answers. 

Sunil questioned himself “Should one not be ambitious?”

“Nothing wrong in being ambitious and working towards a defined goal in life. The point being missed by many is that, there is much more to life than just a materialistic outlook.”

God has destined everyone’s life. You always go on in life living fully in the present and facing challenges which life throws at you.

The cobbler’s happy smiles made Sunil recollect one of his favourite songs from an old Raj Kapoor movie and started singing in his mind -  “किसी की मुस्कुराहटों पे हो निसार…………जीना इसी का नाम है… (Offer yourself to bring a smile to someone..………….This is what life is all about…..!!!). The lyrics of the song teaches a simple life philosophy!!

In Sunil’s sub conscious mind, he felt the cobbler saying, “Contentment leads to happiness. Happiness makes one smile by seeing the positive side of life. To me, smiling is my way of life and it does not cost anything. And, it makes others feel happy!”

- Venkatesh

Click below to watch the short video -

Boot Polish Short Video

(Short Video credit - Sreenidhi H.K.)