IT WOULD have been a normal check-in for me the other day, except for the occurrence of a rare incident at the security check-in, this time. It so happened that a young lad of about twelve years of age was standing just ahead of me, with his mother in the queue adjacent to ours. We will refer to them as Maasoom and Shreya for ease of understanding. As we waited, I saw another boy, who would have been a little older than Shreya, approach us from the other side. Both of them waved out to each other, so I assume that they must have been siblings. Let’s call this elder one Ekam, for the same reasons.

It’s always nice for a family to be together, even if for those brief moments, while awaiting their turn, so I naturally stepped back a little, and allowed him to take his place beside his affectionate younger brother. There was still some time left for boarding, and I was in no tearing hurry to reach the departure gate. I therefore felt quite smug at having done a good deed so early in the morning. It would surely contribute to my positivity during the day. Both of them smiled at me, and clasped each other’s hands, as if meeting after a long semester overseas. And then, my gaze fell upon Maasoom, the young mother, who was also observing these actions of her little ones. Without moving an inch, she just waved out to Ekam, and requested him to leave his brother’s side, and take his rightful place behind me. “Don’t jump the queue, Beta.”

The words were simple, and Ekam’s reaction was an expected one; that of a feeble resistance. But a firm look from Maasoom was enough to tell him that she meant business, and that they jolly well agree to toe her line, and adapt to the societal norms that would make fine gentlemen of them in the years to come. There was a twinge of slight despair on both their faces, but the action was swift. Ekam had no choice to obey his mother’s directive, as it was clear that she practised what she preached. It was the look of someone who had always walked her talk, and spoke with the authority of truly knowing the right from the wrong, even if it were for such a seemingly trivial incident.

I am also not sure if any of the other co-passengers even noticed what had occurred, for this episode was over in less than half a minute. In any case, many persons today, are quite content in looking at their phones, or speaking on them, to ever observe random physicalities of other people, unless of course, it is a cause of concern, or disturbance to them.

But, it was a gesture that moved me quite a bit. It was a rare display of parenting of the highest order. One, which brought about both a tear and a smile of approval on my face, with a firm belief that there is still loads of hope for humanity, while we have people like these around, to take our next generation forward in the right direction.

“A rare quality in these days, dear Maasoom. May your tribe increase.” Amen.