BOBBING UP AND DOWN

 
We were at the Abu Road Train Station. We were going to take a train from there to Mount Abu. We were on the platform with our box of vegetables, and we didn't have a tickets. But to get the tickets I would have to leave Baba alone. Some of you may have traveled by train here. You know what the rush at the ticket window is like. I couldn't have Baba standing in line with me, so I said, "Baba, I am going to have to leave You for a few minutes to get the tickets."

Baba indicated that He would be fine. "Are You sure, Baba?" I asked. "Yes," Baba gestured. "It is better this way because I can stand here and keep an eye on our box while you get the tickets."

"Okay," I said, "but don't move. Stay right here."

Baba said He would, and I went off and got into the queue for a ticket. As I stood there, I heard the bell ringing announcing an incoming train. I became very nervous. Our train was arriving, Baba was all alone, and I still hadn't gotten tickets. Somehow I forced myself to the front of the line and quickly bought two tickets and then hurried back to Baba. But when I got there, Baba wasn't there.

I looked around, but no Baba. Our box of vegetables was gone too. Everywhere people were rushing to get on board the train, and I felt this sinking sensation in my stomach. What had happened to Baba? I looked around, and then I spied our box of vegetables bobbing up and down in the distance. I ran after it and saw that Baba was carrying the box on His shoulder. He was looking for an empty compartment so the two of us could get on board.

I ran up to Baba and took the vegetables, and, since we had tickets, we both got onto the train. That was the second time I can remember when Baba had been left completely alone.