Ramesh lived on the periphery of Mumbai in an impoverished slum. His family was always scrounging for basic needs. His father was a wretch who had lost his job, and his mother lived in great dread of eviction. Ramesh was attentive in school, but the desolation of his home life was overwhelming. One day, his teacher noticed him scrounging through trash for food. The teacher felt a deep dread for the boy’s future. The problems Ramesh faced were just the tip of the iceberg—a small glimpse of a much bigger crisis. His family’s situation was bleak, and opportunities did not abound for people like him.

The teacher gave Ramesh food for thought. She said, “Your circumstances are bleak, but your destiny is not written by poverty. Time and tide wait for none, but you can start now. It is never too little, too late.” She gave him old books and mentored him. Ramesh counted on her support like a ray of hope. A thunderclap of realization hit him—he had to change. He studied day and night, ignoring the nuisance of noise and scolding from neighbors who mocked him. Years later, Ramesh became a successful engineer. He returned to the slum and said, “I was late to start, but better late than never. My teacher’s words gave me food for thought, and that was a ray of hope that changed my destiny.” He proved that even in desolation, dreams abound.

In a small village school, the students were mostly from impoverished families. The school was located on the periphery of the district, surrounded by bleak fields. The headmaster was a strict man who never hesitated scolding lazy students. One student, Munna, was always scrounging for pencils and paper. He was in great dread of the headmaster’s anger. Munna felt that his visible struggles were just the tip of the iceberg—only a small glimpse of the deep desolation at home. His father, an alcoholic wretch, was a constant nuisance to the family.

One day, a new teacher arrived—a kind tycoon‘s daughter who volunteered to teach. She saw Munna scrounging and felt dread for his condition. She gave him food for thought: “Your destiny is not decided by your father’s mistakes. Time and tide wait for none. You are not a wretch. This scholarship is a ray of hope for you.” Munna counted on her words. A thunderclap of motivation struck him. He became the most attentive student in class. When he failed his first exam, the headmaster’s scolding was harsh. But the teacher told him, “Better late than never. Keep going.” Years later, Munna became a doctor. He returned to the village and said, “Opportunities abound for those who believe. What seemed too little, too late became exactly on time.” His story became food for thought for every impoverished child in the village.