Ponni’s flower stall was always a sight to behold with mounds of freshly stringed flowers of jasmine, mogra, lilies and roses neatly arranged, ready to be sold. Ponni, the flower seller’s daughter, loved helping her mother string the flowers.
Ponni was in Std. IX, in the nearby government school. She would come home after school, finish her homework and help her mother. Shruti and Rupini were of the same age as Ponni, and as her stall was near their homes, their mothers bought flowers from her frequently. In the evenings, they would see Ponni helping her mother. She looked as cheerful as the flowers. The lovely fragrance of the flowers wafted through the air and it was sold in no time.
But today the children saw Ponni sitting alone. Her mother was down with fever and Ponni had to sell the flowers. Days passed and there was no sign of Ponni or her mother. Her friends wondered what had happened to her. Shruti’s maid, whose daughter studied in the same class as Ponni, told them that Ponni’s mother was very sick and was in hospital. The children decided to pay her a visit.
Bringing cheer
It was a dingy, two-room house, comprising a kitchen and a small living room. The children wondered how Ponni managed to study and be cheerful. Ponni was surprised to see her visitors. She was taking care of her siblings, in their mother’s absence. She was even preparing food to be taken to her mother. Ponni’s father was unemployed and her mother was the sole earning member. Ponni was missing school and her term fees had not been paid. She feared she might not be able to sit for the half-yearly exams.
The children felt sorry for Ponni. The flower stall had never looked so forlorn before. The friends had each bought a rose from Ponni for Children’s Day just a few days ago. They would finish their half-yearly exams, enjoy their vacations and later celebrate New Year as well. But what about Ponni? Was there nothing for her to cheer about? They had to help Ponni somehow.
“The school fees would not be a problem. We can request our parents and friends in the neighbourhood to help Ponni. Everyone knows that she is a hardworking girl, and will gladly assist her,” said Shruti.
“But Ponni has missed school, and she doesn’t have the time or money for coaching classes,” said Rupini. The friends hit upon a plan. “Why don’t we teach Ponni ourselves? We are in the same grade as she is,” said Shruti. Shruti and Rupini always competed with one another in their studies and this idea was something new to them.
“That’s the best way to help her,” agreed Rupini.
“We could visit her in the evening for an hour or two, and help her out,” said Shruti.
Ponni learned her lessons fast. With their coaching, Shruti and Rupini also understood the concepts well, and revisions became easy. The school authorities having understood the reason for Ponni’s absence permitted her to write the exams. Ponni surprised everyone and did well.
Soon, Ponni’s mother got better and was discharged from hospital. Ponni returned to school and in a couple of days, the flower stall was open as well. Ponni was back at her usual place helping her mother. She was cheerful again and as a token of gratitude, she gave the best roses to Shruti and Rupini.
