A small act of kindness

Posted by Lahar Mehta on Jan 13, 2013


Kailash comes home every fortnight to collect old newspapers and magazines for recycling. Somehow i have never had a chance to meet him, I just know someone comes by and de-clutters our home regularly. His invisible service is a blessing for homes, for the environment, and keeps the few trees left in Mumbai, smiling. 
Yesterday I happened to be home when he came by. giving 9 rupees per kilo for newspapers and 6 rs for magazines, he shyly offered me 120 rupees on measuring my lot. As i was about to take it, I was filled with a sense of gratitude for his consistent service. I said, "Keep this money and do something nice for someone on your way home today".
 
"What should I do with this?"He looked at me doubtfully and shook his head.
 
"Maybe you can offer food to someone who is hungry?"
 
Kailash broke into a smile. "Didi, you keep 100 rupees, i will keep 20. At my home in Udaipur, my sister who cooks for the family always makes some extra food to feed ants" He looked at our dog, buddy who was quietly sitting by our side "Dogs and bigger animals are lucky, they can move out of the way if a human is approaching them. Ants are at a disadvantage - they cannot move away and get stepped on and killed. We kill so many ants only when we walk from one place to another. Today, i got a tiffin from my didi in Udaipur. I will share some food with the ants"
 
I was moved by his simple wisdom and sensitivity.. As i wished him good bye he said, "Didi, will you be home in the evening? I would like to bring you some food my didi sent me from Udaipur" Something told me he actually meant it, and I nodded. Last evening Kailash came back. With a dabba filled with what they traditionally call "khorak", a delicious mix of jaggery, pure ghee, flour, love, and other winter- special ingredients. It seemed like this must be his entire winter stock.
 
I gladly received it. Anything cooked with this kind of love would be Prasad for me. Kailash had used the 20 rupees, bought some biscuits, crushed them into a powder and fed ants. What he said after that really blew my mind - "Didi, from now on consider me your younger brother, it will make me very happy"
 
I was left with my heart open and a broad smile on my face. Its even more amazing that Kailash came into our lives just a day ahead of the Seva Cafe opening in Mumbai. What if we held that same compassion and generosity in our hearts towards all the unknown brothers and sisters who walk into the Seva Cafe space?

Posted by Lahar Mehta on Jan 13, 2013 | permalink


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