The little one

 That was one fine evening for Rohan. He hit a six and took his team home. Everyone was praising him and even in his school, that day, he answered most of his 5th grade Maths questions asked by the teacher and earned a chocolate, which, by the way, he ate totally by himself. He was dancing all the way to the home and he could see a little boy sitting alone by the swing. The mood carried him to the boy sitting on the swing. The setting sun made a silhouette of the person and so were no resemblances to Rohan. He got near to him.

‘Hai,’ Rohan waved his hand. The boy lifted his bearded, wrinkled and annoyed head up and had a quick glance at Rohan. He turned his head down and suggested him to go away. Rohan shook his head.

Rohan was annoyed and surprised by the looks of the boy.

‘How did you grow that thing on your face?’ He asked.

Go home and ask you’re Dad and do not disturb me or I’ll hit you.’

‘But my Dad’s is so tall and you’re so short. How can you do it? Please tell me. My friend Tanya loves her Dad's beard. If I have that she’ll like me too'

‘Enough of your foolishness.’ The boy stood and raised his hand to hit him but went back with same speed on to the swing realising he was as short as Rohan. He felt guilty of raising his hand on a kid.

‘What happened? Are you alright?’

‘Yes. Go away.’ He yelled.

‘I will. But tell me how to grow that thing.’

The boy, irritated, took hold of Rohan's arms so tight, they began to ache already, and took Rohan by surprise. Rohan started yelling.

‘Do not yell,’ the boy shouted and listen, ‘you ever heard of a dwarf before?’ He asked. There was nothing but sobbing from Rohan. ‘Say yes or no.’ He shouted again. Rohan looked around and there was no one to help him out. ‘Yes, in the Lord of the rings.’ He said.

‘That’s what I’m. I’m not a kid like you. I'm 20 and that’s the reason for people to hate me.’ He pushed Rohan away who eventually fell on his buttocks.

‘But I don’t hate you. I like you.’ Rohan said wiping his cheeks and dusting his back.

‘What?’

‘Yes. You’re cute. How can people hate you.’

‘No. People hate me. They bully me everyday. There’s no girl to love me and no parents to look after me.’

‘People bully me everyday too and Tanya doesn’t like me. That’s why I’m asking you about your beard so that she’d like me. But today everyone liked me because I won the game and answered the questions. You answer them and they will love you, too.’

The dwarf smiled at the kid’s innocence and cursed his arrogance.

‘You want this beard, kid?’

‘Yes’

‘Ask Tanya to wait for 10 years and if she waits there won’t be any reason with her to no not love you, okay?’

‘Are you sure?’

The dwarf smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.

‘What’s your name, kid?’

‘Rohan.’ He smiled.

‘Rohan, go home for now and answer all the question Tanya asks. And my name's Anthony, if you wonder.’ He gave a push to him and Rohan ran away yelling ‘Bye, Anthony.’

Anthony realized that was one of the most peaceful evenings he had in a long while. He was dwelling in the negativity all his life and forgot to embrace those special positives only few could have. Since that day, Anthony and Rohan met almost everyday and now Anthony is pursuing his career in comedy. Who but the person who can crack jokes on himself can become a good comedian. And Rohan was all the time with him.