Bhuddia Singh

A boy, four years’ of age, by mother sold, Whose stamina was unusual for age; Was discovered by a coach out in the cold, And trained to be a marathon runner. The coach paid back sum eight hundred rupees And bought the boy back from the hawker old; He gave him special food; reared him with love; He exercised him so regularly! He knew the boy could run a marathon! He made him run long distances daily; The boy had pace and breathing well-suited; And soon he set a marathon record! He entered ‘Limca Book of Records’ fast; The tiny star had caught world attention; They want to make a film about his life; The human rights committee sent notice! The boy was sent for a medical check-up; He suffers much protein deficiency; His kidneys could get damaged if he ran; The doctors told him not to run for now. He’d run sixty-five kilometers race! May be, it was too much for his small age; Nevertheless, a prodigy he turned; He’ as the cynosure of all eyes in sports! Is it exploitation of small children? Is it an experiment by a coach? More medical tests will show trauma done; Kudos to boy: his coach and his great run! The Indian lad could win Olympic gold; He needs sponsors and special coaching care; One can become great, born in sufferings! The world shouldn’t ignore plight of all children. Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-8-2006