A Person Whom We Call Beggar
Sometimes we learn the
most important life lessons from most unanticipated people at most unexpected
places. If this wasn’t true then how a beggar would have taught me a lesson
which I had never experienced before.
It happened during my
last visit to Chandi
Devi,
a temple situated on the foothills of the Himalayas near the city of Haridwar.
The bountiful beauty of the place mesmerized me through the splashes of bright
colour in the form of captivating flowers that were present between the green
cover formed by tall and strong firs and pines, with the background of
monuments enhancing the experience. Such a heartwarming vision of nature was
marred by the most unlikely sight one could see; the rows of ‘beggars’, ugly,
dishevelled and untidy that occupied the entire road which was leading to the
temple.
Like everyone I too
hated these people. After all who allowed such people to diminish the beauty of
such a beautiful place with their needless presence? No one should be able to
reduce the level of beauty of such monuments and buildings.
The impression of
these beggars fell further down in my eyes when I saw some foreigners clicking
their photographs. It instantly came to my mind that on returning to their
homeland, what kind of impression of our country they will be sharing. Despite
the natural beauty around, the only expression the foreigners would be
circulating back home is poverty; thus just weakening our image in the world. I
decided not to spoil my mood any further and placed this incident at the back
of my head, moving ahead on the route to the temple.
All of a sudden, a kid
stepped his shoe on my sandal and then swiftly ran away. As I moved my foot,
the strap of the sandal broke. Although this had happened by mistake now I had
to move barefooted on the non-cemented road which was full of sharp edges
making it impossible for me to move even an inch from my spot.
There wasn’t anyone
present. But at some distance was an old, grey-bearded beggar with a bowl in
his hand sitting slightly away from other beggars at a carpet on the edge of a
big stone with a pair of slippers covered with dust was lying near him that it
belonged to him. Soon, I discovered that he was blind. Watching his pathetic
condition, initially, I didn’t dare to ask him for help but as I was lost of
options; I was forced to do so.
I went to him and told
him how my sandal broke and asked that could he lend his slippers for some
time. Without any pause, he said, “No problem son. I would be pleased offering
you them”.
While leaving, I could
see the charm and glow in those eyes which had never seen light before. I
couldn’t find the reason for such an expression then.
But I wasn’t still
willing to wear his slippers. And how would I when I knew that they were worn
by a beggar? I thought if he would be suffering from any skin problem I would
be infected by the same by wearing his slippers. I was unwilling but still wore
them. If I would have any other option, I would never choose this. Still, when
I wore them, I could find how important they were to travel on such a road.
I visited the temple
and on my return back I handled over his belongings to him. But this time, I
could sense the reason for his delight. After all, he wouldn’t be called a
beggar. Now he was a person who could help others.
I wanted to thank him
by gifting him with some money. But he refused. Even I didn’t want to steal
this proud moment from him. His eyes were moist with tears of satisfaction that
added a charm in his simple-looking face. I didn’t say a word but just smiled
and smiled a little more.
I knew I won’t get any
chance to meet him again but will be always thankful to him for teaching me a
new practical lesson that day. I learnt that not always prosperous can only
help you in need. In every difficult situation, someone will be there to help,
be it someone never expected or sometimes even the one whom we call beggar.
Aashish Kochhar
Sometimes we learn the
most important life lessons from most unanticipated people at most unexpected
places. If this wasn’t true then how a beggar would have taught me a lesson
which I had never experienced before.
It happened during my
last visit to Chandi
Devi,
a temple situated on the foothills of the Himalayas near the city of Haridwar.
The bountiful beauty of the place mesmerized me through the splashes of bright
colour in the form of captivating flowers that were present between the green
cover formed by tall and strong firs and pines, with the background of
monuments enhancing the experience. Such a heartwarming vision of nature was
marred by the most unlikely sight one could see; the rows of ‘beggars’, ugly,
dishevelled and untidy that occupied the entire road which was leading to the
temple.
Like everyone I too
hated these people. After all who allowed such people to diminish the beauty of
such a beautiful place with their needless presence? No one should be able to
reduce the level of beauty of such monuments and buildings.
The impression of
these beggars fell further down in my eyes when I saw some foreigners clicking
their photographs. It instantly came to my mind that on returning to their
homeland, what kind of impression of our country they will be sharing. Despite
the natural beauty around, the only expression the foreigners would be
circulating back home is poverty; thus just weakening our image in the world. I
decided not to spoil my mood any further and placed this incident at the back
of my head, moving ahead on the route to the temple.
All of a sudden, a kid
stepped his shoe on my sandal and then swiftly ran away. As I moved my foot,
the strap of the sandal broke. Although this had happened by mistake now I had
to move barefooted on the non-cemented road which was full of sharp edges
making it impossible for me to move even an inch from my spot.
There wasn’t anyone
present. But at some distance was an old, grey-bearded beggar with a bowl in
his hand sitting slightly away from other beggars at a carpet on the edge of a
big stone with a pair of slippers covered with dust was lying near him that it
belonged to him. Soon, I discovered that he was blind. Watching his pathetic
condition, initially, I didn’t dare to ask him for help but as I was lost of
options; I was forced to do so.
I went to him and told
him how my sandal broke and asked that could he lend his slippers for some
time. Without any pause, he said, “No problem son. I would be pleased offering
you them”.
While leaving, I could
see the charm and glow in those eyes which had never seen light before. I
couldn’t find the reason for such an expression then.
But I wasn’t still
willing to wear his slippers. And how would I when I knew that they were worn
by a beggar? I thought if he would be suffering from any skin problem I would
be infected by the same by wearing his slippers. I was unwilling but still wore
them. If I would have any other option, I would never choose this. Still, when
I wore them, I could find how important they were to travel on such a road.
I visited the temple
and on my return back I handled over his belongings to him. But this time, I
could sense the reason for his delight. After all, he wouldn’t be called a
beggar. Now he was a person who could help others.
I wanted to thank him
by gifting him with some money. But he refused. Even I didn’t want to steal
this proud moment from him. His eyes were moist with tears of satisfaction that
added a charm in his simple-looking face. I didn’t say a word but just smiled
and smiled a little more.
I knew I won’t get any
chance to meet him again but will be always thankful to him for teaching me a
new practical lesson that day. I learnt that not always prosperous can only
help you in need. In every difficult situation, someone will be there to help,
be it someone never expected or sometimes even the one whom we call beggar.
Aashish Kochhar
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