It was the Mumbai Street Children's br Talent scouting evening out br We gave them a canvas, br An easel and a box of paints br Told them not to exercise br Any restraint br The picture was theirs to paint br br Hectic activity followed br Vibrant colours were mixed br In the palettes before the brushes br Went into use br Some went for bold strokes br Others used pastels and br And went for milder strokes br br We watched the transformation br Blank canvases soon took colour br The pictures ranged from br Sunny skies and butterflies br To moonlit nights and fireflies br Some did give nature a pass br And opted to paint the school class br br After working for an hour and half br The pictures were ready for display br The children proudly handed in br Their very own works of art br And anxiously awaited br As the judges went on stage br To review the paintings and br Make their choices known br br For the young artists br It was a defining moment br As they waited for the results br Three of them would be selected br To represent Street Children's Block br At the Inter-school competition br This would help them pay br For their further education br Without having to rely on families br Already suffering deep deprivation br br The prizes went to the three best br Original paintings and for the rest br We have made it our life’s mission br To try and find for them admission br Seeking corporate sponsorships br And wherever possible even scholarships br So that they can realise their dreams br Without making any parents scream.