The berries were back—thick and ripe. The picking was slow because only Julie’s berries found their way into the sack. Ravi ate all he picked.
Can’t blame him for that, she thought.
“How did you learn English?”
“I completed my fifth standard of school. My father was doctor. I was to learn at school to train also as doctor. In my house was enough to eat. My parents were dead in a car crash. All I had were my clothes. Now I am—” he choked.
Living on the street, thought Julie.
Julie stopped picking and grabbed both his shoulders with her hands. Ravi looked embarrassed. Even though he smelled bad, she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a huge hug. He remained mostly stoic, but Julie couldn’t hold back her tears. She held him, like she’d hold Logan, and rocked him back and forth.
Finally she felt his stiff body relax into hers and his arms go around her waist. As she rocked him, she thought of cuddling her son and the myriad multiple hugs she gave him every day. When was the last time Ravi had any physical affection? He’s lived on the defensive, scraping and begging, beginning each day wondering if he’s going to eat and how. Although she felt compassion for him, she couldn’t begin to comprehend the danger, rejection, and fear he’d constantly lived in since the wreck.
She finally released her hold on him and wiped her tears away. She didn’t know what to say; anything she could think of sounded trite. Ravi reached to touch her earrings. She patted his shoulder and they continued picking.
“Before I slept at the dump, I slept here,” said Julie. “Between the bushes and the house.”
For a moment, her mind flashed to her king-size bed with pillow top mattress and expensive damask comforter with matching curtains. Air conditioner in the spring and summer, and heat and electric blanket in the fall and winter. Several sets of matching Egyptian cotton sheets with a high thread count and extra fluffy feather pillows. Now she was back to reality. She was ready for Ravi’s sympathy.
“This looks safe. It’s even behind a fence.”
So much for sympathy.
When Julie’s sack was full, they headed for the shops.
Mr. Shah and one of his henchmen, Adeel, parked at the dump. Before the orphans noticed their presence, Mr. Shah had grabbed Madhu and Adeel had snatched Kumar. The rest of the orphans scattered, screaming as they left.
“Ravi, what is your favorite food?” asked Julie as they walked. His eyes lit up and a hopeful look flitted across his face.
“Bananas,” he said. “Bananas are berry good.”
“Are you a monkey?” she asked, laughing as she reached to tickle him. He laughed, too.
“Well, Mr. Monkey, I’ll let you in on a secret. I’m a monkey, too. I love bananas!”
“Auntie Monkey,” he pointed and laughed.
“Ravi Monkey,” she pointed back.
“Let’s go get some bananas,” she said, as she squatted a little to walk like a monkey and scratched under her arm. Ravi squatted slightly, grabbed her hand, and they shuffled down the street.
They arrived at the grocery store and Ravi grabbed Julie’s hand and dragged her through the store until he located the bananas.
“How many do you want?”
“Four.”
“Four? You’re going to eat with the rest of the kids, too. You won’t only have bananas.” Plus you just ate about a quart of berries.
“Four…pleeease,” pleaded Ravi.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, thought Julie. She broke five bananas off the bunch.
“We need to get food for everyone. What’s good to eat for the other kids?” Ravi slouched, hung his arms by his side like a monkey, and said, “More bananas.”
“Fruit does sound good, but maybe we should get, um….”
“Apples?” suggested Ravi.
“Apples are good.” She handed him a basket and said, “Get 14 apples.” She held up her fingers and motioned for him to do the same. Then she counted ten fingers and four more. “Got it?”
“Yes,” he said, giving her a slightly perturbed look. “Fourteen, I know that, I finished my fifth standard.”
“Yes, I’ll remember that. You’re a smart monkey,” she said, striking the slouching pose again. Ravi grinned.
As the cashier examined the berries, Julie looked up in her dictionary the word for toilet. She had a plan. “Pishab?” she inquired. The cashier pointed to the street. Julie broke out in a cold sweat. I can’t keep using the street. She pointed to the back of the store and the clerk shook his head no.
She turned to Ravi and said, “Tell him I am too shy to use the street. Ask him if I can please, please, please use his toilet. Remind him that I bring his son’s favorite berries.”
The owner looked surprised, but after a moment pointed to the back of the store. She left the two sacks in Ravi’s care and headed for the back.
When she opened the door, her heart sank. There was a hole in the floor with a flat circle of porcelain around it, the same height as the floor. There were imprints for feet on both sides. Next to it was a bucket of water. It’s better than the street. I still have to squat, but at least I squat in private. She hiked her dress extra high and grabbed the fabric to her chest to keep it out of the way.
Kumar wilted into Adeel’s arms, hyperventilating. Madhu put up a fight. Adeel was loading Kumar in the back passenger door so Mr. Shah went to the street side. Madhu’s arms were pinned to his side by Mr. Shah’s arms wrapped around him, but his legs were loose and he kicked frantically while yelling. “Put me down!”
Mr. Shah managed to restrain Madhu with one arm and open the door with the other. Madhu’s dog rounded the corner and chomped Mr. Shah’s leg. He screamed in pain and Madhu, taking advantage of the distraction, squirmed free and bolted across the street and down the sidewalk.
Mr. Shah gave a mighty kick and flung the dog into the street.
When Julie arrived at the front of the store, Ravi and the food were missing. That little thief. I can’t believe I trusted him. She looked at the clerk, who indicated he’d turned left out of the shop. She picked up her pace.
How fast can he run carrying two big sacks? Fast enough to leave me in the dust. What am I going to do now to feed everyone?
To her relief, she saw him standing on the small space on the dirty sidewalk between a woman selling live goldfish in plastic bags and a man selling something deep fried that Julie couldn’t identify. He was eating his first banana. He could see by the look on her face that she was relieved.
“I only stole once when I had nothing. I would not steal the other children’s food.” Julie bent down and hugged him. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I remember you were so generous that you saved your food to rescue others.”
Ravi beamed.
“Where shall we eat our bananas?”
“Anywhere is good place to eat bananas!” said Ravi, sitting down. He broke one banana off and dropped it by Julie’s side. Then he pulled the other three apart and cradled them in his crossed legs for safekeeping. He peeled the banana all the way, threw the skin on the ground, and took a first bite that encompassed a full third of the banana.
“Slow down, slow down. First we have to say a prayer of thanks for our food.” Julie bowed her head and spoke, “Dear Jesus, thanks for creating bananas so we can enjoy them, and thank You for providing these for us to eat. And thanks for letting Ravi sleep well last night.”
Ravi didn’t bow his head or close his eyes. He continued eating and kept a watch on his precious bananas. After he finished gobbling the second banana, he grabbed the third.
“Wait and watch me. Do what I do.” She peeled her banana halfway down and explained how keeping the peel on helped keep the germs and dirt off the bananas. For Ravi, dirt had become a fact of daily life.
“Now take a small bite and chew and enjoy. Taste it. Feel the smooth texture. It’s your favorite. Make it last as long as possible. When you’re done, put the peels in a pile, and we’ll throw them away.” Ravi looked at her skeptically.
“It’s OK. I won’t let anyone take your bananas—just enjoy them. They are my gift to you, and Jesus’ gift to you.”
“Who is Jesus again?”
“Jesus is the real, true God.”
“Hindus have millions of gods. Everything is a god.”
“Jesus is the One who brought me here to help you. Have any of your gods helped you?” He shook his head no as he savored the taste and texture of the banana.
“I will tell you more about Jesus later. All you need to know now is that He loves you more than your mom and dad loved you, and that’s a lot.”
Julie finished her banana as she watched the crowds hurry past. Most of the Indian men dressed in western style pants and shirts, but most of the ladies still wore the Punjabis—pants with matching tunic—or the beautifully colored traditional saris. Women who were shopping in the market and running errands were dressed and wrapped in luxurious fabrics. They looked exotic, and many were just gorgeous. India’s beauty is definitely in her people.
As Ravi finished his last banana, a cream-colored cow with 12-inch-long horns and saggy skin wandered down the street and then on to the sidewalk.
“Someone’s cow escaped its pen.”
“What is pen?”
“A fence.”
This caused Ravi to laugh.
“Cows go wherever they want and do whatever they want.”
“Why?”
“We don’t hurt them because they are people came back from the dead. It is good Karma to feed and place the flowered necklaces on the cow.”1
Julie had heard of sacred cows before, but seeing them amble lazily wherever they wanted and the belief that they were people reincarnated made her sad. So much of India is starving, and the cow is preferred over the people. Guess I won’t get a hamburger here.
Julie had Ravi add his four banana peels to hers in the sack to throw away at the dump.
The taxi braked, but not in time. Madhu didn’t stop running when he heard the tires squeal, but the yelp stopped him in his tracks.
Mr. Shah and Adeel were driving away as Madhu ran back. The taxi driver was gone and the dog was lying still on the side of the road, blood dripping from its mouth. In a last herculean effort, it wagged its tail when it saw Madhu kneel beside it, then died.
“Nooooooo! You can’t leave me. Don’t go!” Madhu buried his face in the dog’s side and wept.
Julie questioned Ravi as they walked.
“I have an uncle who lives in another city, but I don’t know his name or what city. He probably wouldn’t want me anyway,” said Ravi, looking down at the sidewalk and shoving his hands in his pockets.
“He’s missing out on having a great nephew.”
“I don’t know if he knows my parents are dead.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Julie.”
“Tell me that again.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“No, the nephew part.”
“He’s missing out on a great nephew,” said Julie, as she laid her hand on Ravi’s shoulder.
“What’s it like, Ravi, to live on the streets?”
“Before you came, sometimes I don’t eat for days. When I find food, it’s not enough. I’m always hungry. Hungry a lot; I hurt, too.”
“Do you see a doctor?”
“When I was so hurt from the wreck, I try to find a quiet place to lie down, and I pray to Ganesh for several days until I get up and walk.”
Julie shivered. When Logan was sick, she rarely prayed, knowing that a doctor’s office was merely a phone call away. In the night, an emergency room and a prescription pad could provide unlimited medicines. The thought of Ravi in pain, curled up under a bush with no one to help him and nothing to eat, calling for help to a “god” that was really a demon, brought tears to her eyes.
She wanted to promise him that she’d take care of him and that it wouldn’t happen again, but she didn’t have the faith. She put her arm around his shoulder, pulled him tight, and held him there as they walked. His body and skin craved physical affection. How long can a little boy go between hugs?
“How’d you sleep last night?” she asked.
“I didn’t wake up one time, and my monsters in my mind did not visit.” Julie gave him a high five.
“Remember to thank Jesus for that.”
As they neared the dump Julie warned Ravi, “Get ready to get mobbed.”
Ravi looked ahead.
“Where is everyone?”
They ran to the dump; it was deserted.
“Kumar, Sammy!” yelled Ravi.
“Sashi, Chavvi, Sapna, where are you?” yelled Julie.
“Mr. Shah took them!” screamed Ravi.
“Jesus, no!” shouted Julie, collapsing on the ground. Ravi fell into her arms, and they sobbed together. Devastation overwhelmed him, and Julie felt his body tremble. After several minutes of agonizing grief, Julie ran her fingers through Ravi’s hair. Indescribable agony was etched on her face. “I couldn’t lose you; you’re like my son.” Ravi pulled back slightly, looked at her earrings, and hugged her again. She rocked him.
When she looked up she saw Madhu, his face wet from tears, standing over her.
“What happened?” Julie took him into her arms. He began to sob.
“What happened?” she asked again. Ravi translated for her.
“He came back. He got Kumar.”
“Did he get anyone else?”
Madhu nodded. “He had me, my dog attacked, I got away. Then…my dog… killed.” He broke down sobbing again. “Oh, Mahdu. I’m so sorry.” Ravi patted him on the back and silently prayed for him.
“Jesus, will You protect Your littlest lambs? Thank You for keeping Mahdu safe and heal his broken heart. Please keep Kumar safe. Will You bring the others back—?”
“—Yes, Jesus,” interrupted Ravi. “You helped me sleep at night. Please hear my prayers.” Ravi and Julie continued praying as Julie held and rocked Madhu. Finally Julie lay Madhu on the ground where he went fetal. Ravi continued praying for him. Julie stood and paced, praying under her breath.
Julie prayed louder and finally yelled. “I renounce and resist the lie that Kumar will perish, in Jesus’ name. I replace it with the truth that You are responsible for him, and You are able to protect him! Thank You, Lord, You are in control. Not me. You are the miracle-working God, and nothing is impossible with You!”
A tangible peace fell. Ravi looked at her.
“What’s that?”
“That’s Jesus helping us to not be sad.”
“It feels better. And look, Madhu is asleep!”
This is what You meant about choosing to look at You instead of looking to our situation.
“I asked Jesus what we should do,” Ravi said, “and He said to wait here and eat our lunch.”
“Ravi, that’s wonderful. You heard His voice.”
“He talked to me before, but I didn’t know who He was. He told me two times that I should walk, and now He told me to wait.”
“You can trust Him. Always do what He tells you.” Julie and Ravi sat beside Madhu, praying for him as they ate their sandwiches. Wilson peeked around the hedge.
“Wilson,” cried Ravi, giving him a hug. Wilson took a deep breath, paused, and looked all around.
“It’s Jesus, He’s helping us not to be sad!” said Ravi.
Wilson smiled. Julie handed him a sandwich. After several bites he said, “After you left this morning Mr. Shah came. Everyone ran. I don’t know what happened to—.”
“Sammy,” shouted Ravi, jumping up and giving him a hug. The stress dissolved from Sammy’s face.
“Can you feel Jesus?” asked Ravi.
“He’s helping us to not be sad,” said Wilson, grinning. Sammy smiled.
After several hours, Sashi arrived with all the girls. Madhu woke and ate with them. Although the orphans were all distraught about the dog, they listened as Julie taught what she knew about peace in the middle of the storm.
Surprisingly, many were able to relax. Some smiled and a few even giggled. By evening, everyone had returned and eaten except Kumar.
“Let’s pray for Kumar,” said Julie. Each child prayed earnestly.
“Jesus just spoke to me,” said Julie. “He said Mr. Shah has Kumar, but if we continue to pray, He will bring His peace to Kumar just like He did here.” The children prayed and played until it was bedtime. Julie led the group to pray for Kumar before they fell asleep.