BABA -OUR STREET GUARDIAN ___5TH NOVEMBER

There is an old man in our street that everybody calls Baba.

He is not related to anyone, but he acts like he is father to everyone. Every morning by 5am, Baba is already outside with his broom, sweeping the street. If you are going to early morning work, you will meet him. He will say, be careful, the road is slippery.

One time, armed robbers entered our street. It was around 2am. Everybody was sleeping. Baba was the one who heard the noise first. He did not run. He started shouting, thief, thief, thief. He hit his bucket with stick, making loud noise. The noise woke everybody. The robbers ran away because the whole street was awake.

Nobody told Baba to do it. He is just like that. If a child is fighting, Baba will settle it. If a woman is carrying heavy load, Baba will help her.

Last month I asked him, Baba why do you stress yourself for people who are not your family?

He laughed and said, if I don't watch over this street, who will?

That day I understood what guardian means. It is not about wings or uniform. It is just a person who decides to watch over others, even when nobody asked him.

Baba is our guardian.

IMAGE USED IS META AI