Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Just two weeks ago, I was about to cross my little busy neighborhood road when I noticed an old Grandpa with a heavy load on his head just a few yards from me. He looked very weak and his bones had no strength to even carry him let alone that load with him. A few minutes later, I realised that I had forgotten to cross the road and I had seen him with a such a fixed gaze that even he had seen me looking at him. I shyed off his gaze but I couldn't for much longer...

I've always loved my Grandparents so much so that whenever I see any older people their age I don't forget to smile at them.  I couldn't let go of this Grandpa either.  He came near me with faltered steps and handed me a slip on which was written an address very near to my house.  I showed him the directions and said he would be needing an Auto-Rickshaw (Cab like vehicles in India) as it was 3PM in the hot summer.  Anybody would faint dead in this weather and I didn't want him to walk all the way.  But he looked disappointed.

I asked him to unload the heavy burden and asked where he had come from.  He replied with frailty that he was from Chidambram, some 240kms from there.  I was taken aback because he never looked like he could take even 2 steps without falling. So, without second thought I called for an AutoRickshaw and asked the driver to drop him at his place. My Grandpa wasn't ready. Reason- He had no money. I paid for his journey and asked the driver to drop him off safely. The driver smiled with happiness.

When I turned to look at the Grandpa I had never met before, who was leaving and whose face I might only see in heaven someday, tears filled my eyes and I didn't want to leave.  Memories of my Grandparents came flashing making me numb.  I bid bye to Grandpa whose eyes were too small to be seen but from which I knew came a few drops of happy tears saying thank you.

I now realised that life was not easy for people like him too.  I miss my Grandpa.