It was an incident
which I’ll call as a ‘unique experience’. In the year 2011, I used to work in
an educational company, for them I need to travel haywire. The incident
occurred in Bangalore & I, rather we belong from Kolkata. It was a
cool and windy night as always in Bangalore. My friend and I had gone out after
a long time, and were chatting for hours. We did not notice the time passing
by, and soon it was close to ten in the night. We decided to take an auto
rickshaw to go to our house, as allotted by our company.
It started raining, and we hurried to get into an auto
rickshaw and reach our place. None of the auto rickshaws stopped for us, except
one.
The driver asked us where we wanted to go and we told the
place. Without saying anything about the fare, he said, “Please get in!” We
thanked him and got in.
Since it was very cold, I asked the driver to stop at any
small restaurant or a tea shop. We wanted to have a cup of hot tea. The driver
stopped near a small restaurant.
We ordered tea and some food, and asked the driver to join
us and have a cup of tea. The driver refused. I insisted, but he refused again
politely.
My friend asked, “Will you not take tea from this shop or
what?”
The driver replied, “No Sir, I don’t feel like having tea
now.”
I asked again, “But, why? A cup of tea will do no harm.”
Smiling, the driver replied, “Thank you sir, but I’m sorry.”
My friend asked, “Are you against eating or drinking
outside?”
The driver said, “No!”
I was really surprised at his behaviour and asked my friend
not to compel him.
In 15 minutes, we reached our house. We paid the fare and
the driver thanked us.
On an impulse, I stopped him, as I really wanted to ask him
why he refused to drink tea with us at the restaurant. Did he see anything bad
in us, or something?
He thought for a moment and replied, “Sir, my son passed
away this noon in an accident. I don’t have enough money for his funeral. So I
took a vow not to drink even water, until I earn enough money for my son’s
funeral. That’s why I didn’t drink tea when you offered. Please don’t
misunderstand me.” His son was in the teen and was expecting to be promoted to
class 12.
We both were shattered and offered him more money for his
son’s funeral.
He politely refused, “Thank you for your generosity sir. In
one or two hours, if I get one or two more customers, I will earn the money I
need.” And he left the place. May his son rest in peace!!!
We were amazed at his strength of character and integrity,
and learnt a lesson out there. I don’t know my readers are willing to learn the
same through that ‘unique experience’, Cheers!!!
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