Destinys child

There were still 5 minutes left. Gopu still had the railway crossing to cross and then the final walk to school.
"No. A walk wouldn't do", he thought.
"I shall have to run for it otherwise there's no way to be on time to school".
Inspite of the eventuality of getting late and getting reprimanded, he was smiling to himself. He was feeling happy!
He looked at the shutting crossing gate. He had to cross now, or wait for another 10 mins before the crossing reopened. A cursory glance on both sides of the track didnt show any approaching train. That was more than enough for him and he found himself crossing the tracks before he even decided to walk. Happiness makes your feet feel so light.
His dash lasted a few minutes and ended at the school gates. He had infact made it in time. He joined his class four batch in the school-ground for the daily prayer. Now that he had made it in time he recollected the days events. He felt good again, his eyes wandered off somewhere thinking about how the money in his pocket might be used.
His next sensation was of sharp pain on his leg. His thought train was immediately derailed and he came back into reality.
"Oh. Mr Pandeys cane!".
He was seeing straight into the eyes of Pandey Sir. He could see the fury in his piercing black eyes. Before the pain subsided another shot hit the same place with the same ferocity. The pain gave way in the form of tears and through bleary eyes he stood there expecting another caning. This time the cane was rested and he was virtually dragged to the dias where the principal used to stand during the prayers.
"Look at this boy, Principal sir", quipped Mr Pandey.
It was then that gopu realised the reason for his involuntary beating. Although he was in the school uniform, it could at best be called a wannabe uniform. The half pant was soiled. The supposedly white shirt was a button and a chest pocket less. The only way of knowing that a pocket existed was the patch of cloth that made the pocket hanging lamely from the few stitches that had survived some atrocity. Not to mention half of the shirt made a genuine case for claiming that it was tucked in properly. A black eye, ruffled hair and scratch marks on hands and legs completed described the mess that gopu was at that moment.
Now that the beating had taken a hiatus, his mind again resumed the thoughts interrupted earlier. It was then that he remembered how he had managed to keep his money. The way raju and his cronies had parted him with his money. The chase which had taken him away from the railway station. The scuffle with raju resulting in those torn pocket, soiled clothes and the scratches. And of course, the black eye. Truth be told. Raju had ended up with more than a black eye at gopus hands. Rajus cronies, true to the spirit of being sidekicks, immediately made a getaway after seeing their "bhai" bite the dust.
Now gopu was happy with the money he had. He had earned his money that day; not to mention he literally fought to reclaim it. His mind was not doing endless permutations of how he could support his family. Just a few days; thats it. He couldnt wait to go home and see the expression on his familys face.
This time, his thoughts were broken by a reassuring hand on the shoulder rather than a cane. he snapped out of his doodling and faced the principal.
"son, what happened to you?", asked the principal in a calm but firm voice. Calmly, gopu reached into his bag and pulled out a small parchment. The parchment read:
Sir,

I had missed school the entire last week. My family needed me to support in these difficult times as my father couldnt goto work. He used to work in the railway canteen. Therefore, i had to work in his place. I assure you this wont continue for more.

Thanks."