Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Three Hours and Three Beaming Smiles


--by monkeyinpajamas, posted Apr 9, 2010

It was a hot weekday afternoon and I was on my way to volunteer at a reading session with visually impaired girls.

I got in to a rickshaw and immediately struck up a conversation with the rickshaw driver.  The rickshaw driver started telling me the story of his life.  He related that he had grown up very poor and he and his siblings didn’t have much. He said he worked very hard so that he could make sure that his children had the opportunity to attend a decent school.  He said that there were many nights when he would skip dinner to make sure that they would have enough money to send the daughter on a class trip or to pay for his son to attend the computer lab.  I was profoundly moved by the simple and matter of fact way in which this man was relating this heart-melting story.

When we reached my destination, I got down and told him how much I had learned from this conversation and thanked him for sharing his story with me and bowed to him deeply in my heart :) He was so happy when I said that, he was beaming so much that he almost forgot to collect the fare I owed him! 

I was already feeling really joyful and grateful for no apparent reason as I walked towards the reading session.  I had almost reached when a little boy came up to me, trying to sell some stickers. He was a tiny little boy, he didn’t have any shoes on as he walked around in the afternoon heat and he was all dusty. I told him that I didn’t want any stickers but asked him if there was anything he would like?  There was a dosai vendor across the street and I pointed at it and asked him if he wanted one.  Dosai are like Indian pancakes and I thought he might like a healthy hot meal.  He pointed at an ice-cream vendor a little further along instead.  I laughed to myself and proceeded to go and buy him some ice-cream.  I figured all children need their fun and he probably hasn’t had an ice-cream in a very very long time.  My second beaming face of the afternoon ;).  I stayed and talked with him for a little while, I was a little early anyway, then I gave him a semi-hug and headed on towards the volunteer session. 

The reading session was to help visually impaired girls who were trying to get a college education.  knew most of the girls as I had read to 9 different girls so far, so I went around to greet them by touching their hands before I started.  They were happy to hear my voice, and even happier that I knew their names :-). This week, I was supposed to translate a difficult play by Shakespeare. The play was a bit melancholy, so I tried to brighten it up by adding humour and laughter to the mix wherever I could. I knew each moment as I was doing this that I was receiving so much in each of these readings - which by far exceeded what I am giving.

At the end of the hour, the girl I had read to insists on giving me her snack (the non-profit who organises these classes provides a free snack for each of these girls). I am shocked, this snack is meant for her and not for me so I politely refuse to take it. "No akka" (sister), she persists, "I really enjoyed listening to you read today. It helped me get such a good understanding of the play, I have never enjoyed this subject as much as today, I really want you to have this snack." She too had a huge smile on her face and her offering was so sweet and pure – I finally agreed that we could share it. In that moment, as we sat under the shade of a large Banyan tree sharing her uncomplicated pure offering, I felt a profound sense of sisterhood.

As I sat there, watching a pigeon take flight and a schoolgirl twirl in the grass, a few drops of hot rain begin to fall.  I watched them fall, and was filled with the deepest sense of gratitude for the beauty of the last three hours.

 

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Readers Comments

Elen wrote: You must surely know how the rickshaw driver and boy felt. Your generosity through kind words,gracious actions and time are reciprocated through the schoolgirl. Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Kaviraj wrote: Wonderful! Monkeyinpajamas,


You are having a compassionate heart which thinks of others. Parents sacrifice a lot to make the future of their kids. Children feel great joy even when they get small things like ice cream or an affectionate word. Innocence on the face of children is worth seeing.


You decided to go on a hot weekday afternoon to volunteer your services at a reading session with visually impaired girls instead of taking rest at home shows that you are really concerned about under privileged section of the society.


As you are making happy others take it for granted that you will remain happy.


Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences with others. Continue to make others happy.


Jagdish kaviraj
iferlamb wrote: This is a wonderful touching story. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Smiles.
Jayne wrote: Thank you for sharing this story. I so appreciate this website sharing these kinds of stories. I am a counselor working with victims of horrendous trauma. There are many blessings in this work and i get to see healing everyday but sometimes the pain that some have inflicted on others can be overwhelming. So having a place like this to read stories like this helps me do what i do!
Metta wrote: This is so beautiful--bless your heart! I have happy tears in my eyes now, your story really gives me joy. Thank you for sharing this! :)
Many hugs and best of wishes!
iferlamb wrote: beautiful!
Jacinda wrote: What an absolutely beautiful story! Thank you so very very much for sharing :) What a wonderful way to help people by volunteering at a reading session for visually impaired college girls. You are an inspiration! I hope you have a wonderful day! Love and smiles, Jacinda
grammagussie wrote: I felt like I was right there with you, enjoying the heartfelt events of service. You are an excellent writer. Thanks for sharing your story.
Aurelia wrote: Great Story. :) What a day to remember. We are all sisters and brothers!
BLess you Monkey!
:) ~Aurelia
Bluebell wrote: Thank you for sharing such a lovely story. Love; light and a thousand smiles, Bluebell

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