MR. NOBODY, MR. SOMEBODY AND EVERYBODY 

CHAPTER 3 - EVERYBODY  

       Warding off the flies buzzing in front of his face, The boy set down his plate, took out the water bottle that was stuffed in the side pouch of his backpack, washed his hands near a shrub, drank some and stashed it back in the side pouch. He stood up stretching his hands and legs to ease out the numbness caused due to the napping. Resting both hands on his waist, he inhaled deeply and exhaled out slowly, making a soft whistling sound. The boy started picking up the strewn plates and disposed of them in the big green corporation bin placed about 20 feet away, across the street. 

      At the far end of the street the medium built man was busy giving away food, as he was doing so, he noticed the boy engrossed in the cleanup. Delegating his work to his colleague, a short man, the medium built man walked towards the boy picking up the trash along and gingerly joined the boy to give him a hand. The man asked why he was doing this while no one else cared about it. The boy said “ when every individual practices self discipline and is responsible about his own well being; naturally paves way to a society of sustainable and respectful living.”

      “Who are you?” Asked the man, and the boy replied “I am Mr. Nobody “.

       “Good to meet you Mr. Nobody,” said the man.

       “And you’re, sir? Mr. Nobody asked.

       “I am Mr. Somebody“ replied the medium built man.

       The boy smiling thanked Mr. Somebody for the meal and both Mr. Nobody and Mr. Somebody continued doing the cleaning work. 

       A little further, three men were sitting on the platform and engrossed in their cellphones, another fourth man was resting his back on his companion with his legs stretched out on the platform. He had covered his face with a yellow hard hat worn by construction workers. They were migrants working on a construction site, which is right opposite to the place where they were having a lunch break. Lying around them were the finished food plates. 

       One of them got up, still enthusiastically conversing in Odia on the mobile whilst crossing the road towards the construction site. He noticed the man who had given them food earnestly clearing the litter. He looked back at the plates he and his mates had left behind and was struck with guilt and shame, he then promptly called his friends. 

       Everybody joined Mr. Somebody and Mr. Nobody, helping themselves to restore the avenue back to its original beauty.

Pleased to introduce Mr. Nobody, Mr. Somebody, Everybody and myself 

Uma Maheswari.