My Commute and the Stranger’s Smile

I remember an incident of last year when I was wandering after finishing my part-time photo print work in Berhampore. The road was busy, and the market looked lively. People were moving in all directions, carrying bags, calling out to each other, and selling their goods. Among all the stalls and shops, one thing caught my attention—a man selling colourful wool.


His stall was small, but the wool he displayed looked bright and beautiful. Red, green, blue, yellow, white—he had so many colours neatly arranged. I stopped for a moment to look closer. The man noticed me and smiled. I smiled back. There was something friendly about him that made me feel comfortable.

We started talking. I asked him where he came from and how he managed to set up in this busy market. He told me he had been trying to sell wool for many years, but the business was not growing as he hoped. His voice had a little worry, but also determination. He said he always tried new things, trying to find what people liked most.

I watched how he arranged the wool, how he called out to people passing by, and how he tried to make each piece look attractive. It was clear that he worked hard, even when things were slow. He told that he would start from next years with boys’ clothes. I suggested him “You can also try some girls’ clothes, like churidars, dupattas, or kurtis.”

He looked at me carefully and smiled. That smile told me he liked my suggestion and maybe had not thought of it before. He said he would definitely try it. I could see hope returning to his eyes. Even in a small market, small advice and conversation can make a difference.

I stayed there for a few more minutes, watching people come and go, listening to the small sounds of the market—the calls of shopkeepers, the chatter of customers, and the rustle of plastic bags. The man’s smile stayed in my mind even after I left. It reminded me that kindness, conversation, and simple ideas can bring hope to someone who is trying hard in life.

That day, my journey to Berhampore was not just about travel or work. It became a memory about human connection, small markets, and the simple smiles of strangers. Even now, when I think about that colorful wool stall and the man’s friendly smile, I remember that life has small moments that teach lessons in patience, effort, and hope.

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