Valliammal

"As soon as I married I moved  to Chennai with my husband from my village near Ginjee" Valliammal paused to look up after she deftly poked the slipper with a long needle to stitch the torn part.

"we rented a small house where we began our life in this big city." She stopped as a customer dropped by and collected his mended shoes. " How much" he queried, '70 rupees" she said and after the payment she carefully put the money in a small pouch and tucked it.

" Well we had four children three daughters and a son. I have married off all of them"

" We got this bunk made" as she showed her bunk behind her, a small rectangular roughly 6 ft to 3 ft.made with tin sheets,”The corporation tried to remove it but we went to court and got it stayed" she added.

And  Munusamy

" He passed away a few years back. I used to watch him closely for years as he worked so I decided to continue" No second thoughts she has to go on working to sustain her big family. Lesson 1 life has to go on no matter it takes downside all of a sudden.

How many hours do you work.

" I come by  10 in the morning and leave by 6 in the eve."

" Earn, well rs.150 or even 200. But due to corona it was tough for almost a year" she added but without a tinge of disappointment.

 Lesson 2, leave the past and move along.

How old are you now V.

She smiled looking up briefly from her work , " 70" I added helpfully. " Keep it that way" she shot back and added "I’m working isn't that enough" and went back to work.

Lesson 3, yes when your body is fit and you keep yourself engaged does it matter your old.

Can I take a pic of you I'm so happy that I met you maa.

" Really ok do " first time she appeared a bit shy.

" Here Valliammal your pic" she took a look at it and gave a broad toothless smile.

As she finished the job she took a brush and began to polish " No no ma no need" I said gently. She looked at me and as if to chide added " you can't wear a dirty looking slippers" and after polishing gave it to me.

Lesson 4 Dignity is important no matter what your status is.

I thanked Valliammal after settling her fee, very meager to the valuable lesson She taught me in course of twenty minutes.