THE NUCLEAR FAMILY

It was a beautiful evening.The bus stand was crowded but this family could be easily differentiated from the rest.Their's was a nuclear family, yes, a family which comprises of the head, his wife and seven children,the gifts of god.The rich look on to this family and console themselves,for their problems were far better when compared to that of these poor mortals.The head of this family feels better by comparing his state to that of the rich as he is free from the problem of managing wealth and is releived from the tension of frequent raids.Though their residence is not a permanent one,he is happy with the only fact that he has got atleast an address to name;THE BUS STOP,opp to hanuman temple,besant road,icehouse,chennai-5.

Though child labour is considered to be a social evil that is to be abolished,the members of the family sustain their lives,only with the income of these svelte seven.The problem called unemployment would never affect this family.All the children were employed, four had the privilege of collecting junk,being ragpickers and the rest are decent enough to beg rather than to steal. It was a great occasion to celebrate,for this family of nine.Yes, the birth of the younger sister,the eighth soul which has been saved from the trouble of going to school,carrying a sackful of books which would weigh more than the kid. The family was so concerned about the new one and discussed the kid's future,as to her profession. The head finally arrived at a desicion that the kid can decide from the options whether to be a ragpicker or a beggar.

The mother had her own way to make money, it would not be wrong if it is called as ' sympathy money' . Poor baby failed to realise that it was being used to make money. A mother with a baby can earn more than others,particularly, in india.

One day, the head, being a drunkard,was so happy that their family had more money on that day than any other day,the effort of the kids had been paid for. To celebrate this occassion, the head decided to take the family to beach, the only hang out place for the family,where they could rejoice themselves. In the beach,the kids were free enough to go to water as the parents were busy with their own work.Along with the new born,the children experienced the bliss of their life,playing,cracking jokes. When suddenly a monstrous wave, being so hungry or so,engulfed all the eight.Helpless were the kids,trying to raise their voice in vain.

It was too late when the parents realised the state of their own children,who had drained all their blood and spent their entire life, showering all those pennies to make their parents happy.The parents wept as they had never wept before, not for the lives of their children but for their own fate. On whom will they bank upon for money? How will they sustain their miserable lives on this planet?? FOOD,LIQUOR,MONEY were the words circling their heads!!!