Remember that the good things in our lives are ‘return gifts’

Kabir had a unique style of saying things in simple words. I’ve been impressed by what he said about the need to serve the weak and neglected. He not only preached but also practised what he said. This quality carved out a special place for him.

Kabir had said, “Durbal ko na sataiyay, jaaki moti hai; bina jeev ki saans soun, loh bhasm ho jai.”I have tried to keep these words in mind.

I recall an incident from my school days when I was hardly 15. My father bought me a new pair of shoes for going to school as the administration was particular that all students wear proper and complete uniform.

One day, while going to school, I came across a poor family walking barefoot. Even the children did not have any footwear. They were carrying a sizeable load on their heads. I was moved by their plight.

I took off my shoes and gave them to the boy of that family. The family profusely thanked me and the man who was the head of that group told me: “Beta, may god bless you and make you a ‘gazette afsar’ (gazetted officer).” At that time I had no clue what a ‘gazette afsar’ was, but, nevertheless, it had a ring to it.

I took leave from there and dashed to the children’s park nearby where I met some of my schoolmates with whom I played. Handing over my shoes was not a very big incident and so with the passage of time that meeting with the poor family got lost in the recesses of in my mind.

Years later, I remembered the blessing when I became a ‘gazette afsar’. The point is, we don’t have to keep track of the good deeds we do; but should remember that the good things in our lives are the ‘return gifts’ we get for our acts in the past.