Goplu's Train Ride

Every Wednesday, my Thammi picks me up from school. Thammi says that trains are the fastest way to travel in this city.

Thammi smiles at everyone. Even strangers. She says if you smile at people, they smile back.

Sunil Uncle is Thammi’s friend. He always gives me a toffee through the holes in the grille.

Trains have grilles too. I put each finger in one square and hold on tight as the train sets off.

Inside the train, aunties do all kinds of things. They cut vegetables. They knit sweaters.

They put on make-up. Some even sleep, sitting up straight.

There seem to be fewer people on our side of the grille. More and more aunties get into the other side.

I see a little girl on the other side of the grille. Will she be my friend? I give her a shy smile…

…And she smiles back! Thammi was right. I turn to tell Thammi about my new smile friend.

But Thammi is busy. She’s taking out my snack from a box. Today, there’s luchi-jam roll. My favourite.

I turn to show it to my friend. She has a packet of chips. We smile as she passes me one tiny chip.

Thammi tears a piece of the luchi-jam roll. But it doesn’t go through the squares of the grille.

Our station is here. I am sad that I could not share anything with my new friend. Just then, Thammi taps my pocket. I remember Sunil uncle’s gift.

I fish out my favourite toffee… And I quickly give it to my friend. She smiles. I smile back and get off the train.