The sky was filled with clouds scattered here and there, the sun was still in some other part of the world, moving slowly to grace the new skies. The light began its embrace and wherever the eyes could see a soft whiteness touched everything. The clouds, the faraway mountains, the tress and grass fields. A white mist moistened the eyes of those who already started for work, hanging in the air just a little longer. And without the gold of the sun it still had the slight coldness which brushed off any lingering sleep in the early risers.
It was still early and the chaos of humanity had not started yet. The stillness was broken occasionally by the song of birds, the flapping of the wings in the sky. They already started their play of the day, circling the skies, flying here and there for no apparent reason. This group of birds formed myriad shapes and gracefully twisted and turned making mysterious patterns of flight. Maybe being with friends was good enough reason for their joy or the lovely morning was too good to waste sitting idly. A crow voiced its concerned at being alone, watching the group, maybe with longing. A couple of sparrows flew around a tree collecting small fragments of grass. But all this play of nature didn't disturbed the pleasantness of the morning. Rather it made it all the more charming.
Khwab was fast asleep. The pleasant wind of the morning and the mild light makes sleep all the more savoury to those who like to linger a little longer on their pillows. Kabir was already awake reciting his morning prayer. His white cap shone in the first rays of the sun and an expression of melancholy serenity poised his person. Kabir liked the quietude of the morning when he could sit peacefully for a moment, the burdens of yesterday still in slumber and the labour of the day still to start. For Kabir this prayer was like taking a piece of strength from God for the day ahead. Sometimes he would wonder whether the almighty always calculated before giving his alms as the piece always lasted for that single day and no more. No matter how hard or how easy the day was Kabir felt exhausted at the end of it and would go back to the same well for renewal in the morning.
Finishing his prayer, Kabir touched his forehead at the plain, spotless white cloth in front of him. The daily chores beckoned and Kabir with his habitual punctuality started his work. He folded the sleeves of his robe picked up a handful of coals from a ragbag. With blackened hands he started making fire near the wooden bench on which Khwab was fast asleep. Khwab liked the assuaging warmth of coals and the smell of thick chapatis Kabir cooked on it.
"Khwab, Khwab...it's morning chote sahab." - Kabir couldn't shake him as his hands were all black with coal.
"Wake up...we have to leave for city."
Khwab let go of his ragged blanket. Going to city was his favorite pastime. Every few weeks Kabir would go to the city to buy leather and took Khwab with him. He tried to make Khwab acquinted with the people he did business with but the boy was always in some other world. Looking here and there, marvelling at something which didn't concerned him, or so Kabir thought.
Khwab woke up and after taking a bath and saying his prayers sat down with Kabir for breakfast. The thick chapati, onion and some salt - not many would consider them as a delicious but on a hungry stomach it tasted like a delicacy.
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