As a kid I was always taught that “Faith can move mountains” and I believed in it and lived by it. I had faith in everyone I knew and to such an extent that my father who preached me this became skeptical when I was in my teens; skeptical because he saw me trusting everyone around me so much and he got worried that I would probably get hurt one day.
Well, like any other teenager, I also stepped into adulthood and as everyone else I also finished college and came out to face the world. Strangely, after staying away from my home for almost 10 years now, I have a different expansion for WWW – it's Wild-Wild World.
Nevertheless, I grew older and started facing the world almost alone; facing all the issues, fighting the general convention of almost everyone in the society about females, and the list goes on and on and on. In the process of growing, I started learning my lessons of life. Everyday opened a new chapter, every city that I lived in opened my eyes to a new culture and hence years started passing by and so did my experience with life started growing. Eventually, all these learning became a part of life and I started getting used to it and being an Indian it comes as a heritage too; to adjust to anything and everything.
But one very normal evening, I went for some grocery shopping with not much cash with me. I depended on the plastic money that I had. As I was struggling to park my two-wheeler in not-so-organized parking in front of the departmental store, a boy seemingly aged between 10-12 years came towards me with a paper in front of him. With my experience from the past, I thought him to be a hoax and I asked him to go away. He insisted that I listen to him and informed that he was studying and wanted to submit the school fee which is Rs. 800 – including tuition fees, books, uniforms etc. This little information moved me and I was convinced that this child is not a con. Although I knew I had absolutely no cash, I opened my bag to check once again. But I had just Rs. 25. I showed him this. I was hesitant that I should not give him just Rs. 25 when his need was Rs. 800. He also informed me that he has collected Rs. 300 when I asked him so.
Well, I told him that I will have to go to the ATM to get the money. Although I was saying him so, I still had that hint of mistrust that he is a hoax and probably he is just fooling me. I tried to assure him but I knew I didn’t sound very assuring. Even he asked me repeatedly, “Will you come back?” before I left for the ATM.
On my way towards the ATM, my thoughts were occupied by this incident.
Whether this boy was genuine!
Whether I should return back!
Whether I should give him Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 200 or the complete amount - Rs. 500!
What if he is a fraud! My money will be wasted.
But it’s ok! It’s my good deed and it’s his bad deed – my religious preaching came into the support of argument.
We tend to spend Rs. 500 without even having a track where we have spent it – I being a spendthrift, so why shouldn’t I give him the whole amount.
OK fine, I will ask him again whether he actually needs the money and if convinced, I will give him the money he needs.
After making up my mind, I reached the place where I had last seen him. As I was parking my vehicle, I was expecting him to approach me from somewhere. But there was no one to be seen. I searched all around the place for next 5-7 minutes but I didn’t find him around. So, I decided to return back home obviously a bit disappointed.
On my way back a different set of thoughts engrossed me.
Why did the child leave!
Obviously, as I didn’t completely trust him, similarly, even he didn’t trust that I would return.
How many people who had promised him to return must have returned!
It’s the absence of faith that’s causing such situations.
What about those childhood teachings given to us that we should always keep our word!
How many of us do that! We all are just living our lives; we have forgotten what is black or white.
And, what about those childhood teachings given to us that “Faith can move mountains”;
Where is the faith!
Thus, I rode silently towards my home.
5 comments:
I can just imagine the whole scene, since you have already told me this. Its actually sad the way the world has changed our mindset and the level of trust on human beings.
The saying 'Faith can move mountains' has nothing to do with your situation.The purport is one can surmount every difficulties and ordeals,if one have faith in oneself.As far as helping others in distress are concerned,one should follow a local saying in oriya.It says that help/donation given to an unworthy person is a transaction that helps neither the giver nor the recepient.
@veda: thanks for ur comment. frankly, i was expecting someone to point this mistake in my writing.. when I had finished writing it I realised, it has gone off track but then I gave it a thought. Definitely "Faith can move mountain" originally does imply to have faith in self. But give it a thought, doesnt it hold true for everything else. Faith in family, relation, society, profession, team, work etc. Absence of faith in any of these spheres, can be devastating at times and presence of faith can walk you gracefully through devastating times. Your comments pls :)
Regards
Lakshmi
You are absolutely right.The entire social fabric is held by mutual faith.However,one should be discerning whom to trust or not in the course of social interaction.The ancient Tamil Classic 'Thirukkural'provides cardinal principles in trusting men.I quote a few of them.
'Pick that man who possess a four-fold test:how he handles virtue,wealth,pleasure and loss of life'(Verse 501).
'He alone is trustworthy who fully possesses these four:kindness,intelligence,assurance and freedom from greed'(Verse 513).
'Weigh a man's merits and wegh his faults;then judge him according to the greater'(Verse 504).
A. Dear Lakshmi Madam - Very Touchy and this article once again connected me with the society. Appreciate it. You are so humble and modest ..i like it...
B. Dear Veda Sir - Like your comments ..especially the cardinal principles..can you pls share collection of the same with me. Rgds Harish
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