Author Information
Storekeeper
Reubens Store round the corner, the salesman is young
Is that the reason why the young ladies throng ?
Buttons, lamp bulbs, beer,cookies-fresh and hot
Its a wonder how the little store can hold such a lot
Sulking children enter with their mommies
Old women trot in armed with coloured brollies
Mr Reubens arrives a mite late ... behind him two gluttons
"Two doughnuts and two large mugs of beer "
They eat with gusto.. pay and leave in good cheer
Reuben Mehta.. fortyish,puffy eyed and gaunt
Children call him "fatty" each day they taunt
Mehta doesn't care as long as he gets his profit fair
Townsfolk know they'll get everything-- even a shoelace pair
On the old leather armchair Reuben Mehta sits
Overstuffed,faded .. borders are in splits
Drinks scalding coffee at half past ten
Half grand a day .. his net profit on sales
What's the secret of his happiness ? Santas bells ?
His knarled knuckles rough and coarse
Worked hard through his teens .. never felt morose
Success,happiness, health and money
He's no menial ! Mr Reuben one amongst many
Reuben doesn't care to read books- never loses his cool
Knows where the sheep came from and from whence the wool
Secret of happiness is not in the books or the stars
Firm determination and hard work & shedding all fears
© Bishwanath Mukherjee
