One click of my wooden cane, and the buffalo moved forward. I guided them along the road’s edge, through the heart of the village. We strolled past mud homes and villagers bent over tending to their crops. We eyed the green fields, where the buffalo could graze. This was life in a small village in Sindh, Pakistan. We had little, but I had big dreams.
Up ahead laughter diverted my attention. A group of students came into view, their uniforms a stark contrast to my faded trousers, and worn-out sandals. Fingers wrapped tight around my cane, I stepped forward, “Stop! You can’t pass without showing me your books.”
The students glanced from my face to my cane, to their books. They quickly opened their bags and showed me their books. Illustrations of people and places captured my imagination.
“Someday, I’ll go to school too,” I declared, returning their books. They looked at each other with a taunting smile and left me to my buffalo.
It May Take Some Time, But Never Give Up!
Months passed. Every day I rose to my chores and buffalo. Until, one day I got my chance. Uncle came to visit. He and Father sat, sipping chai outside.
“Brother, you must send Rasool Bux to school. Herding buffalo is not in his future,” Uncle convinced my parents that all children should go to school. The following week, I enrolled in primary school. Now, armed with my own books, I set out to learn everything. I read textbooks, asked questions, and even read newspapers for my father and his companions.
By the end of the year, I proved to be one of the best students in the school. I resolved to study at college or University in Karachi, a big city over 150 kilometers away. Everyone laughed and made jokes.
“Look at this fellow! He will go to study in Karachi?” ridiculed our class monitor. The teacher also smirked when he learned about my resolve.
Laughter wasn’t the only taunt I had to endure.
