Strength

I was waiting for the train on the Dadar fast train platform - busy with people bustling, minding their own business, running around into their own world.... Just then this small girl catches my attention. She was descending the slope off the foot over bridge - a pack of deflated and folded cardboard boxes on her head, balancing with her hands. Must have been just 3 years or so... I noticed a man alongside her with much bigger bags full in both his hands. As they were approaching the platform, the lil girl slipped or lost her balance and suddenly fell to the ground. To my surprise, she aint crying, she doesnt even look hurt or sad. She just got up matter-of-factly, up on her feet. Tidied herself up and reached for her luggage. Picked it up and went to the man she was accompanying to hug his leg - thts where she could reach him. The man just gave her a pat on her back and then picked up for her luggage, adding it to the already full bags he was carrying. They they walked along ahead on their way...
I thought the girl would cry, show some discomfort, atleast crinkle her nose, twitch her face - but there was none. She just got up to her feet calmly and carried on. How strong! was my next reaction. The man, possibly her father or perhaps a caretaker - very lucky - he didnt have to calm her down or pick her up. But shes so young, so tiny, so delicate... how can she be so strong? Is the world around her so cruel to make such a small girl so strong?......