Around 7-8 years back , a beggar woman used to come to our home every sunday . She was an aged woman (i think in her sixtees) , patchy skin and dark complexioned , always dressed up in a shabby saree , hair so rough and dishevelled , with a ripped pair of chappals showing her totally cracked heels. I think she must be from any of the remote villages of some other city , that I just didn’t understand her language . Ringing our bell , she would call out loudly ” Chapp…..” I just don’t know what that word meant . Her looks and her voice were irritating for me . But still , to avoid and move her out quickly I would sometimes give her few rupees or anything to eat like fruit or biscuit . My intention used to be to make her go away fast .
It became her weekly affair to come to our home every sunday without any gap . In few weeks my heart developed a sympathetic attitude towards her , my mind thinking deeply about her bad condition and the ill fortune she was facing. When she would call out “Chapp….” I would ask her to sit on a bench outside our home and offer her tea and rusk . Finishing her tea , she would hold my hand gently caressing it and say something which though i couldn’t understand but my heart knew those were the blessings she used to send my way .
With passing of few more sundays , sharing tea and blessings , my heart started waiting for her every week . She was no more an object of aversion to me . “Chapp….” and I would go out quickly , make her sit on the bench and offer her full meal followed by tea . Serving her would fill me with waves of contentment .
One sunday , I gave her a sweater and a pair of sleepers also. This time her response came not just caressing my hand but sending me lots of blessings with her hand fondling my head , her words (although not understood by me ) expressing infinite prayers for me .
She continued to be part of our weekend for 2-3 years . We didn’t know anything about her , not even her name . We named her “Chapp…” It felt good to have “Chapp…” at our home and serve her in however small way we could .
One sunday she didn’t come . We were expecting her , we kept waiting but she didn’t turn up . We guessed she might have become ill or something else , we expected her the next sunday but she didn’t come even that day .
I didn’t hear ” Chapp….” ever after that .
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I couldn’t do anything for her , couldn’t make her Life better , couldn’t treat her misfortune , but I tried to make a difference in however small way I could . You know she also made a difference in my life . I became self-aware of all I have been blessed with – good health , happy family , money , a nice home and proper food to eat . I became aware of Gratefulness which I should be expressing to God.
“I can’t do everything but I can certainly do something to make a difference”
Never think your small actions won’t make a difference in the world , keep doing good actions , helping others , spreading happiness , igniting positivity .Each one of us can contribute in a unique way to make the world a better place . Together we make a difference .
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Shine from within and Spread your light
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