"That will be eighty rupees, madam", Ramu said with a smile.
The young woman didn't reciprocate his smile. She paid the fare and went away immediately. This was not the first person to do so. Every morning, everyone who took Ramu's auto rickshaw to the office had a melancholic expression. However, that never discouraged Ramu from wearing that bright smile on his face.

"Auto, auto!" A man screamed the next morning as Ramu was returning after dropping a passenger.
"Where to, sir?"
"How much to the metro?"
"Fifty rupees"
"Okay, let's go"

This man seemed different. He looked fresh and lovely unlike every other passenger Ramu has seen. He had a sense of enthusiasm on his face and made Ramu's heart feel warm and happy. What was different in him than others?

"Sir, can I ask you something?" Ramu said, without looking away from the road ahead.

"Yes?" The man said.

"Everyone who takes a ride in my auto is sad and tired for some reason. But you look more enthusiastic"

"Ha.. haa", the man laughed. "It's not your auto that's the problem. Most people coming to work travel in a crowded bus or metro for hours. They are already tired...