moments of colours

Last Friday, October 26th, we had a parade for the celebration of United Nations. Kids from the preschool, aged 4-6, were all dressed up with the national costumes of different countries. The graders and high school students had their banners and flags.
As I was following the parade, taking pictures here and there, I noticed a small boy come out from one of the corners. He was carrying a sack almost 3/4 his size with pieces of wood in it. I got interested of following him and watched him as he walked just in front of me carrying the big sack on his back. I got curious where he was going so I walked side by side with him and asked him. He was a bit surprised that a stranger bothered him in his journey. He said he was going to bring the sack’s contents there.
I walked pass him a few steps to get a front view angle shot. He got a bit conscious this time, trying to avoid me. What made me more curious to inquire about him was his focus on his task at the moment to deliver his goods to that “there” that he was saying. I happen to know that he was just seven years old.
I got a bit nervous when big buses, jeepneys and cars passed him too close as he continued walking in front of me. I offered to carry his sack and he readily gave it. Although it was lite for me, for a seven year old of his size, it was a bit heavy.
Earlier, I was trying to catch the pupils in their colorful clothes, proud of their achievements parading with their parents without tantrums. But here was a kid, older than a year but smaller in frame and size who was working after school hours… I later learned from a co-worker from that town that it has been a practice there by some parents. Child labor at that age? Hmmm…
I do share the belief that we should teach kids to do their share of responsibility at home according to what they can do at a certain age in preparation for life. But I hope, kids of that age can still enjoy their childhood, playing and spending time with their playmates and siblings as much as they can before they grow up and face the life meant for them.
Anyway, “Hapon”, aged 7, might just be a little kid, but he’s a hero in his own right.