Punhoo, the Gardener

I’m one of those privileged people whose office is located just across the compound wall of a large residential complex owned by the large organization I work with. While walking to the office every morning I watch gardeners with curiosity, reverence, and empathy.

Gardeners are found busy mowing the lawns, some remove dry leaves from the grass, some are holding hoses to water the green belts while others cutting wild shrubs from the edges of pavements. The afternoon sight is a bit different when the attendance of gardeners gets thinned. Some enjoy siesta under tree shadows and a few trim trees. Sometimes they are found removing the tree branches hanging over the electricity conductors.

These uneducated and low-paid employees often miss our attention, taken for granted to do their jobs and considered as less important segment of our society destined to live and die without making their presence felt. Luckily I had the chance to sit with one of the gardeners and discuss his life, etc. Here is how our conversation went through:

How are you Punhoo? How are you doing? I asked the gardener.
Thanks Allah. Life is good, work is going well, he replied.
Don’t you get fed up doing similar job for years now? I mean cleaning, mowing, trimming, watering, etc. I enquired.
Sir! Are there some kinds of works which change everyday? He was inquisitive in his tone. Do you perform a variety of jobs for your living? He continued.
No, not at all, but we have different and better environment, chances of promotion, better facilities and excellent opportunities for growing.
So you must’ve been saving enough for your children and their future! He smiled with a sparkle in his eyes.
Not really; it’s hard to cope within the limited monthly income. I said, displaying my disappointment.
Then what a gardener is ought to do to improve his living? Punhoo asked mockingly. I had no answer.
Are you satisfied with your life? I tried to ask in a different way.
Alhamd-o-Lillah (All praise to Allah) I’m satisfied with my work and little income. It’s enough to meeting our needs.
How come? I don’t believe it! It is simply mindboggling to think a low-paid employee is able to limit his expenses within what he earns.
Look, Punhoo explained, my work involves nurturing the green areas, maintain flowerbeds, planting trees and taking care of them so that they are not eaten away by the goats and other animals. More beautiful the landscape becomes more people will enjoy it. Watching people visiting green lawns, sitting under the trees, children running through the flowerbeds give me immense joy and satisfaction. It’s our firm belief that if you let the people happy Almighty Allah will also be pleased and bless us with his mercy and reward. This is my real income. Besides, whatever I earn is more than sufficient to buy Daal Roti. He reiterated.
But this is not quality life. You are living in Stone Age! I emphasized.
Sahib listen, he toned firmly, my bicycle doesn’t require CNG or other fuel to run. I don’t own TV or computer. Why, because my children live simple life, like me. They go to a local language government school and will end up working like me in the gardens when they are grown up. Therefore their needs are negligible. My wife works in a bungalow where she often gets leftover food, worn-out clothes and expired medicines. Hence, our needs are fulfilled by the grace of Almighty Allah.
Sir, you seem to be unsatisfied with your life, he asked me abruptly.
No, no. I’m doing fine. I replied in haste.
He looked at my pale face closely and walked away smilingly.