A group of fifteen soldiers led by a Major were on their way to their post in the Himalayas, where they would be deployed for the next three months. They were to replace another team of soldiers anxiously waiting for their tenure to come to an end. It was a very cold winter and intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.
"If only someone could offer us a hot cup of tea," the Major thought, knowing it was a futile wish.
They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated structure, which looked like a tea shop... but it was locked!
"No tea, boys, bad luck," said the Major. But he suggested they all stop for some rest there as they had been walking for more than three hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea. We can break the lock," suggested one soldier.
The officer was in a great dilemma at the unethical suggestion, but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired soldiers made him give permission to break the lock and enter.
They were in luck. The place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits. The soldiers had tea and biscuits and were ready for the remaining journey.
The Major was uncomfortable that they had broken the lock and entered without the permission of the owner. After all, they were not a band of thieves, but disciplined soldiers. He thought for a moment, then took out a `-1000 note from his wallet and placed it on the counter, pressed under the sugar container, so that the owner could see it.The officer was now relieved of his guilt. He ordered the soldiers to pull the shutter down and proceed.
Three months passed as they continued to gallantly fight the intense insurgency situation.It was soon time for another team to replace them and they were on their way back. They stopped at the same tea shop which was now open.
The owner, an old man with meager resources, was very happy to greet fifteen customers.
All of them had hot tea and biscuits as they talked to the old man about his life and experiences, specially about selling tea in such a remote place.
The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God.
"Oh, Baba, if God is there why should He keep you in such poverty?" commented one soldier.
"Do not say that, Sahib! God does exist. I got proof of this three months ago. I was going through very tough times because my only son had been severely beaten by terrorists. I closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. There was no hope, Sahib. I prayed to God for help and God walked into my shop that day. When I returned to my shop and found the lock broken, I thought I had lost whatever little I had. Then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/ under the sugar pot. I cannot tell you what that money was worth that day. God exists, Sahib. He does."
The faith in his eyes was unflinching.
Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes, clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet!"
The officer paid the bill, hugged the old man and said, "Yes, I know God does exist. And the tea was wonderful."
Dear Reader, what does this story convey to us? It tells us that we have the power in our hands to help people in their hour of need. The truth is, we can be God to anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, we can offer them succour when all else fails because God lives within each of us.
You may have heard of the TV artist Varun Pruthi, who went to India Gate one morning with ten `1000 notes. He found ten different people, hardworking labourers, petty hawkers, autorickshaw drivers, disabled individuals, very old helpless individuals.Without hurting their self respect he gave them the money in return for some service rendered.He records that the happiness and gratitude in their eyes when he gave them the money brought him much more happiness than he had ever experienced through buying something for himself before. He also shares the thought that some people have money, others are rich. The difference is attitude.
Dear Reader, the stories I share with you reinforce our faith in the goodness that still exists around us. It gives us the message that there is still hope in our hearts, all it needs is a Messiah. Why don't we try to be that Messiah? We need to step out of our self centredness and look around. It is not about money alone, we will find many who need our time, our support, our sympathy and at times financial assistance. Try sharing yourself and revel in the joy it brings.