The former strongman who was due to address an election rally in a remote area in the country was about to get on to the stage when a shrill voice calling him arrested his attention.



As he looked back, the former strongman saw a small boy making motions to attract his attention. He walked towards the small boy disregarding protests by his security and asked the latter: “Why did you call out to me, son?”

“Didn’t you bring us presents?” the boy asked the former strongman.

The former strongman reached inside his pockets and found nothing that he could offer the boy.

“Sorry, son. I have nothing on me that I can give you as a present now. But I will send you something as soon as I get back to Colombo,” an apologetic former strongman consoled the boy who looked highly disappointed.     
     
The boy with his eyes filled with tears said: “I was in the front here for a long time waiting for you, because I thought you would bring us some presents.”

The former strongman got a security guard to jot down the name and the address of the boy.  And the chances are that his innocent request for a present will not be in vain.