Friday 16 November 2012

Little Acts of Kindness!



‘I can’t see you…
with my mortal eyes,
can’t touch you with my flesh
Still you reach me in
countless ways, I feel blessed
Neither You sit in temples,
nor in ceaseless chants…
instead, I find you
in little acts of kindness
that you shower on me through
nameless faces, faceless hands’

How many time we encounter little acts of kindness that reaffirm our belief in essential goodness of humanity? Or Should I rephrase my question: Are we sensitive enough to give little gestures of generosity, their due respect! 

Few days ago, I went to market to buy straps for an old pair of slippers. I hopped many footwear stores, everywhere my query met strange stares (who buys straps these days!). I was advised to buy new pair of slippers instead. At last, one shopkeeper guided me to a corner of the market, where a cobbler was sitting, drowned in his work, as emaciated as broken, worn out shoes strewn around him.  I asked him for a pair of straps. He opened his metal chest (as old as himself) and gave me the suitable pair quoting Rs. 20 as price. Short of change, I gave him a note of Rs. 100. He refused saying that whenever I got Rs. 20, I could pay him, as he himself didn’t have change for Rs. 100. I was astonished at his little act of generosity. That cobbler didn’t know me to trust with this precious amount. Rs. 20 may hold little value for you and me, but for a cobbler who gets Rs. 5 or 10 for all the hardwork and dexterity that he applies to mend a shoe, Rs. 20 is too big amount to forget. I know many suave looking gentlemen, owners of big fancy stores, who will not sell their fares if you happen to have Rs. 5 less than the required amount, as it goes against their rules. His little act of trust and kindness stirred me beyond words, Ofcourse, I returned his Rs. 20, but his generosity I cannot repay. Similarly, The other day I went to watch a movie with my family, bought tickets through my credit card and forget to take it back. I hurried to the hall as the movie was just about to begin. After the intermission, (I had totally forgotten about the card by then) a boy came looking for me, straining his eyes in the dark, handed me the card and darted out. My heart skipped a beat as I realized what someone could have done with this card, which was now placed safely in my wallet. After the movie, I searched for the boy to express my gratitude but he was gone after his duty hours. My vegetable vendor, who daily comes to sell me fruits and vegetables, never accepts Rs. 100 or Rs. 200 notes if I don’t have change. It becomes my duty to make the full payment next day as he himself never reminds me the previous due amount.

That is the kindness, coming from humbles humans that makes the world go and keeps hearts throbbing. The unexpected trust put in me makes me wonder what did I do to deserve this. Many such people came and went in my life, I never knew their names and forgot their faces with time, but their benevolence bolstered my faith in Him. Every night I close my eyes and thank Him in the name of all those people who make this world worth living!

8 comments:

  1. Those are the times when you realise how wonderful life can be! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks US, Yes, life is as wonderful as you think it to be!

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  2. Faith in humanity restored! It is the random acts of kindness that makes the world go round! Beautifully narrated.

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    1. Thanks for encouraging my writings with your generous comments, Deepak!

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  3. Trust most important thing to live fearless.But unfortunately v r missing on this quality these days.beautiful writing.

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    1. Very well put. Trust makes us fearless. Lack of trust makes us cast a suspicious eye on every stranger as if everyone on the road is out to rob us. Whatever we project through our thoughts, comes back through random acts we encounter, good or bad!

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  4. humanity ----but then at times one feels ashamed of oneself when we realise that would we have been so honest ----would'nt I have bargained with the cobbler? would I have taken the trouble to return the credit card
    thanks for sharing these experiences they make you get up and think

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    1. sometimes in the light of someone's goodness we see our own flaws. But then Rajni, the fact that we have those eyes to see our flaws and a that mind to introspect, shows that we are essentially good humans.

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