The best things in life lie in the tiniest of things and the least expensive ones. What is better than watching sunset with your lover? Or watching a baby’s chaste smile? What about a child’s naïve naughtiness? Or helping an old man?
I have seen a certain old man, a couple of times before in my neighborhood. He somehow reminded me of my grandfather. One day, I hurriedly walked past this old man bent double with age. I couldn’t help but notice him carrying two huge bags in his hand. The selfish side of me was reluctant to sojourn and offer help. But the urbane side of me although 20 steps later, stopped to turn back and return to the old man. My consciousness allowed me to think that he wouldn’t be far away, with the pace with which he was going. Those few seconds of comprehension, me against myself, debating what is right and what isn’t, made me realize a lot. Often we come across situations like this and although our conscience forces us to give up ego and go help, our arrogant self does nothing other than abandoning the ship. Those 20 steps I took, leaving that old man to himself behind me made me realize how selfish I am and how I am no different from the rest of the world. I had to prove myself wrong. So I swiftly turned around and walked, quick enough to reach him and slow enough to not let people around me think I have left the fire on my gas stove on. He was nowhere to be seen. I cursed myself to let go the moment where I had the finest chance to lend a hand to someone in need. The lost opportunities that intellectuals talk about, the theories that sing opportunity knocks the doors of the people looking for it, was gyrating in my mind. Nonetheless, I kept my hope alive. I found him around the bend of the road, just in time as he carefully placed the heavy bags on the ground and slowly tried to open the gate to his home with his trembling fingers.
“Hi! Uncle! Should I help you with the bags?” was all that I could come up with! He had to lift his head up to look at me. That’s ironical bearing in mind how short I actually am myself! He smiled, bright enough to lighten the entire world and said “Oh no! Thank you so much”. I offered to help him place the bags in his house. He politely refused saying he has been doing this a lot; he stooped down, opened one of his bags and offered me two biscuits. He told me those are all that he has got and amiably beamed. I tried to strike up a conversation and learnt that he lives with his wife and that his hometown is Mumbai. I understood from the way he spoke that he was well educated. I kept wondering though how he put down roots alone, here. I wondered if there was someone to help the couple at home. All these thoughts accumulated, while he asked me where I was from. When I ran out of topics to talk about, I offered help again. He smiled and said “Thank you Beta! God bless you!” That was plentiful. When someone much older acknowledges with a “God bless you” and when you know it came right from the deepest root of the heart, you just know that you are blessed, that very moment. It is a great feeling. I just hope there are more such encounters which render realization that there are many tiny yet great things in life that we often fail to attach importance with.
That day, if I had walked away, there was not anything he would have lost that he built. But if I did, I surely would have lost myself to guilt.
The richest things of life often lay in the tiniest of things and the least expensive ones.
I have seen a certain old man, a couple of times before in my neighborhood. He somehow reminded me of my grandfather. One day, I hurriedly walked past this old man bent double with age. I couldn’t help but notice him carrying two huge bags in his hand. The selfish side of me was reluctant to sojourn and offer help. But the urbane side of me although 20 steps later, stopped to turn back and return to the old man. My consciousness allowed me to think that he wouldn’t be far away, with the pace with which he was going. Those few seconds of comprehension, me against myself, debating what is right and what isn’t, made me realize a lot. Often we come across situations like this and although our conscience forces us to give up ego and go help, our arrogant self does nothing other than abandoning the ship. Those 20 steps I took, leaving that old man to himself behind me made me realize how selfish I am and how I am no different from the rest of the world. I had to prove myself wrong. So I swiftly turned around and walked, quick enough to reach him and slow enough to not let people around me think I have left the fire on my gas stove on. He was nowhere to be seen. I cursed myself to let go the moment where I had the finest chance to lend a hand to someone in need. The lost opportunities that intellectuals talk about, the theories that sing opportunity knocks the doors of the people looking for it, was gyrating in my mind. Nonetheless, I kept my hope alive. I found him around the bend of the road, just in time as he carefully placed the heavy bags on the ground and slowly tried to open the gate to his home with his trembling fingers.
“Hi! Uncle! Should I help you with the bags?” was all that I could come up with! He had to lift his head up to look at me. That’s ironical bearing in mind how short I actually am myself! He smiled, bright enough to lighten the entire world and said “Oh no! Thank you so much”. I offered to help him place the bags in his house. He politely refused saying he has been doing this a lot; he stooped down, opened one of his bags and offered me two biscuits. He told me those are all that he has got and amiably beamed. I tried to strike up a conversation and learnt that he lives with his wife and that his hometown is Mumbai. I understood from the way he spoke that he was well educated. I kept wondering though how he put down roots alone, here. I wondered if there was someone to help the couple at home. All these thoughts accumulated, while he asked me where I was from. When I ran out of topics to talk about, I offered help again. He smiled and said “Thank you Beta! God bless you!” That was plentiful. When someone much older acknowledges with a “God bless you” and when you know it came right from the deepest root of the heart, you just know that you are blessed, that very moment. It is a great feeling. I just hope there are more such encounters which render realization that there are many tiny yet great things in life that we often fail to attach importance with.
That day, if I had walked away, there was not anything he would have lost that he built. But if I did, I surely would have lost myself to guilt.
The richest things of life often lay in the tiniest of things and the least expensive ones.
