Bhuddia Singh Poem by Dr John Celes

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