I had to return home after my holiday, and the journey was a long one, so I booked a seat in a train compartment. My place was on the top bunk, which suited me just fine as I planned to sleep through most of the trip.
My travel companions turned out to be a mother and her four-year-old son. I assumed the boy would be restless and noisy, possibly making sleep difficult, but surprisingly, he was quiet and composed the whole time. Once her son drifted off, the mother and I chatted a little, brewed some tea, and then settled in for the night.
The next morning, I was startled awake by a knock on the door. Two uniformed policemen stepped into the compartment. Have you seen the child? they inquired. Hes right there, I replied, gesturing towards the top bunk where the little lad was curled up, fast asleepclearly chilly, but peaceful.
We need to ask you a few questions, one officer said.
Apparently, my travelling companion had indulged heavily the previous evening. At some point, she got off at the wrong station. When she woke up the following morning, she somehow believed her son had been abducted, prompting the police to search the train. In reality, shed simply forgotten that shed left him safely in the compartment overnight.
Its unsettling to think what goes on in the mind of such a parent, so lacking in self-control. Thankfully, she forgot about her child, allowing him to sleep undisturbed until morning; otherwise, she might have wandered off with him to some remote village, and in her confusion, perhaps fallen asleep under a treeleaving the boy lost, maybe even wandering a wood.
I dont know what became of the boy afterwards, but I really hope his mother faced some consequences. Although, I doubt a fine would make much difference to someone so careless. Its painful to witness such negligence, especially when the child, so innocent, could have easily been forgotten altogether.
