In spite of our busy life, we need to find time to help people in real need. Our own sense of self-worth and satisfaction comes from these small acts – not necessarily from donating large sums of money to unknown charities.
Here is a touching story shared by a friend of mine.
It was getting dark. As I was getting ready to enjoy my evening coffee, I heard someone calling from behind the locked iron gate. I came out wondering who it could be.
An elderly person was standing behind the gate. His clothes were wrinkled and had a small bag in his hand. He appeared to have traveled a long distance. Looking at a small piece of paper in his hand, he enquired, “is this Anand, Number 8, Yogananda Street, my son?”
“Yes, I am Anand and that is my address. And you…”, I mumbled.
Moistening his dry lips with tongue he said, “Babu, I am your father’s friend. I am coming from your village. Your father gave me this letter and advised to seek your help”. He handed over a letter with his shaking hands.
Exclaiming “father?”, I took letter from him and read.
“Dear Anand, blessings to you. The person carrying this letter is my friend. His name is Ramayya. Works hard. A few days ago, his only son died in an accident. He is running around seeking compensation, which would help him and his wife to pull along with the other meager income. I am sending the police reports of the accident, the compensation affidavits given by the Travel Agents and other relevant papers. He was told that the final payment may be collected in the Head Office. This is his first visit to Hyderabad and he is a stranger there. I am hoping you would be able to help him. Take care of your health. Visit us at your earliest convenience. Your loving father”.
Ramayyagaru was watching me intensely. I thought for a moment and invited him inside. Giving him some water to drink, I enquired, “did you eat anything?”. He replied, “No, my son. Since the journey got delayed, I just ate two bananas that I brought with me.”
Going inside, I prepared four dosas and served them with pickle. Saying, “you please eat”, I went out and made a couple of calls and returned. When I returned, I found that he had finished eating and was sitting with a few papers in his hand. There was a photo of his deceased son. The boy was handsome and young, may be 22 years old. My eyes moistened.
“He is my only son. Those who were born before him died due to various causes. He was the only one we had. Mahesh was his name. He studied well and got a job. He took up the job assuring us he will take care of us and we would get over all hardships. On the fateful day, while crossing the road, he met with accident – died on the spot. We were very reluctant to take compensation in the name of the deceased son. But day by day, I am becoming weak and my wife too is not keeping well. With your father’s insistence I came here. Saying my son will help, he sent me with this letter”, he concluded.
“Don’t worry, I will help you. It’s late now, take rest”. Saying this I went to sleep.
Next morning, taking coffee at home we started. Finishing breakfast on the way, we reached office address mentioned in the documents.
“Anand, I will take care of the rest. You attend to your office work”, said Ramayyagaru hesitantly.
“No issues. I have taken leave for today”, I replied. Accompanying him, I got the compensation paid.
“Thank you, dear son. My wife is alone at home and I will have to go back home quickly”, said the old man.
“Come, I will drop you at the bus-stand and see you off.” I took him to the bus-stand, got him a ticket, bought a few fruits to eat on the way.
He said with joy in his eyes, he said, “Anandbabu, taking leave for my sake you helped me a lot. Soon after going home, I will narrate everything to your father and thank him too.”
Smiling and holding his hands I explained, “I am not your friend’s son Anand. I am Aravind. You came to the wrong address. That Anand’s house is another 2 km away.
You were already tired and I didn’t have the heart to tell you the truth. I called the number in your letter and enquired. His wife said that Anand had gone out of town on some work. I called your friend and told him too. He felt very sad. Once I assured him that I will take care he felt good. The loss you have suffered is irreparable. But I felt that I should help you. What I did gave me greatest pleasure.”
As the bus moved, holding my hands Ramayya left with tears of gratitude in his eyes. “God bless you, my child”, were his parting words. That is enough for me, I thought.
My father passed away fifteen year ago. Looking at Ramayyagaru, I felt my father had returned.
Looking up at the sky, I thought my father must be somewhere there. “Dad, did you come in this form to check my progress in life! Sending me a letter, were you testing me whether I would help or not? Born to a great father like you, as a son I have performed my duty. Are you happy?”
Tears of joy flooded my eyes.
Closing thoughts:
How many people would have sent old man back saying he came to wrong address? Was it worth the effort to help old many, without getting anything in return financially?
