Ray and the ray of happiness

Clamping against the glass window Ray gawked at the alienated world on the other side. Every day, he would come and stare at those tempting toys, till the shopkeeper chases him away. But today he had other ideas. 

When the shopkeeper wasn't looking and was busy calling it a day, he dashed in. When least expected, he got hold of a ball and pelted out. The shopkeeper was too stunned to move. He just stared at a blue big spongy ball being stolen under his nose. Before he could regain himself, Ray was already gone. 

Ray returned home to see his mother getting ready for her night-shift. Ray's single mother had worked hard to make the ends meet which, however, always laid parallel. Though Ray was young, he knew it was unfair to pester her to buy Ray and his 3 younger brothers a toy to play. So, he took the responsibility and he had b(r)ought them a ball as he promised. 

He had to have it hidden under a pail until his mother retired for the work. Once she was gone, Ray surprised the little boys with the ball. 

The brothers were exhilarating jumping to the sky and back. They had never had a ball that big and spongy. 

That day ended with the boys happily exhausted, playing with the ball until very late. Once, the brothers were put to sleep, Ray laid down for a sleep. He couldn't sleep. He had something nagging him which he had never felt before. It was too different and disturbing. He tossed and turned on the floor and struggled long to doze off. 

Next day, as the sun rose to spread light to the world, Ray got up with a start. He thought over the pricking thought again. He couldn't decide something concrete. But he knew what he did the previous day was wrong.

The brothers had a good time that morning too. With not much to do, the little brothers would have a nap in the afternoon. As they snoozed that afternoon, Ray decided to do something.

Once decided, he took the ball and rushed towards the shop. He was afraid but he was determined too. He went to return the ball and apologize. He did and as expected, he was chastised for his act of stealing as he returned the ball. 

Ray couldn't withstand the feel of subjugation. He walked out. He couldn't understand why should they be suffering while other boys of his age are happy attending school and games. He walked back worried about telling this to his brothers. Whatever, at least he had given them one perfect play-day. He tried to convince himself and miserably failed.

When he was about to cross a landfill, he stopped. 'Why not?' he thought. He rushed in and collected waste papers and made a ball by crushing them. He chucked hard the paper ball down to the earth expectently. But it gave anything but satisfying bounce. He exhaled and cast the ball into the pile of garbage and turned sulked.

What a miracle! A ball rolled to the feet of Ray from no where. He looked at the sky in awe. Perhaps, God wanted to make his brothers happy too. A sudden smile, like a ray of sunshine, exploded all over his face. With the ball and happiness balled up face, he ran towards his home. Soon after he left, the truck that had just dumped filthy wastes onto the existing mountain in a little distance, rode out as well.

(Written in 2020 and is unedited)