"My name is Shaikh", he replied. "Madam, your mobile is safe with me. If you don't trust me take down my number!" I hurried to get a pen and scribbled his number on a newspaper lying on the table. "Madam, please believe me. I will come in 10 mins to give you your mobile. Just tell me your address properly." I had to give my address to a stranger at 10.45pm. I had no option but to trust him.
I had gone out to do weekly groceries in the evening. I was back at 7pm. After that I was busy getting the groceries in place and getting the kids to bed. It was after 10.30pm that I realized my mobile was missing! It was in my purse when I paid the bill for the groceries. I could not remember what happened to my phone after that. At 10.45pm, I called on my number and heard Shaikh answer it. He sounded genuine. It seemed logical that he will give my phone back - that's why he answered it! I had no option but to trust him. I also had an option to stay calm and really trust him - which I could not!
My mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. He could have sold my mobile for thousands of rupees. Why does he want to return it? What if he comes to my house with bullies and ....! And since he knows my number and also my address - what if he causes more trouble? Strangely, he knew a part of my address - he knew which colony I stayed! Was he following me back home from the grocery store?
My suspicious thoughts changed into guilt when I met him.
He was a young boy, around 16 years of age. Thin and dark but his face had a bright look. He had deep set eyes which radiated honesty. He lived close by in a slum. "Madam I found your phone lying on the road out there", he said with unfeigned expression pointing out to a few meters away from my house. "Your phone has a lock code so I could not call up any of your contacts - to tell them that the phone is with me. And I waited for over 3 hours hoping someone will call up soon! I even thought of going to all the houses around this area asking if the phone belongs to them - but I was not sure if this action would be taken rightly. I was worried as well as scared - people would think I have stolen your phone! I had to hide it at home, as my parents would think I have stolen it! I really wanted to return it to its owner, but had to wait for such a long time for you to call and ask for it!"
It would have been so easy for him to sell off the phone and earn what could be like a fortune for him! He could have ignored the phone and let it get run over by a vehicle, or let it get picked up by someone else. He could have declared his right over the phone since he found it. But he didnt.
Our newspaper is filled with many depressing news today. We hear of so many examples of atrocious people. My experience and this post is to remind you that the world is not so bad. Honesty, sincerity and integrity still exist in this world. The world is still a beautiful place with genuine people like Shaikh.
I had gone out to do weekly groceries in the evening. I was back at 7pm. After that I was busy getting the groceries in place and getting the kids to bed. It was after 10.30pm that I realized my mobile was missing! It was in my purse when I paid the bill for the groceries. I could not remember what happened to my phone after that. At 10.45pm, I called on my number and heard Shaikh answer it. He sounded genuine. It seemed logical that he will give my phone back - that's why he answered it! I had no option but to trust him. I also had an option to stay calm and really trust him - which I could not!
My mind filled with all kinds of thoughts. He could have sold my mobile for thousands of rupees. Why does he want to return it? What if he comes to my house with bullies and ....! And since he knows my number and also my address - what if he causes more trouble? Strangely, he knew a part of my address - he knew which colony I stayed! Was he following me back home from the grocery store?
My suspicious thoughts changed into guilt when I met him.
He was a young boy, around 16 years of age. Thin and dark but his face had a bright look. He had deep set eyes which radiated honesty. He lived close by in a slum. "Madam I found your phone lying on the road out there", he said with unfeigned expression pointing out to a few meters away from my house. "Your phone has a lock code so I could not call up any of your contacts - to tell them that the phone is with me. And I waited for over 3 hours hoping someone will call up soon! I even thought of going to all the houses around this area asking if the phone belongs to them - but I was not sure if this action would be taken rightly. I was worried as well as scared - people would think I have stolen your phone! I had to hide it at home, as my parents would think I have stolen it! I really wanted to return it to its owner, but had to wait for such a long time for you to call and ask for it!"
It would have been so easy for him to sell off the phone and earn what could be like a fortune for him! He could have ignored the phone and let it get run over by a vehicle, or let it get picked up by someone else. He could have declared his right over the phone since he found it. But he didnt.
Our newspaper is filled with many depressing news today. We hear of so many examples of atrocious people. My experience and this post is to remind you that the world is not so bad. Honesty, sincerity and integrity still exist in this world. The world is still a beautiful place with genuine people like Shaikh.
If you are looking for honest people for some work, do contact me. I can refer Shaikh!
2 comments:
Yes, there are honest people out there, probably many more than the dishonest ones, but they are scared. Just like 'Shaikh'... Scared to do a Good and Honest deed...
You are lucky indeed!
Nice story... good to know there are honest people around... People are what makes India such an intriguing, rich and beautiful place. If only we can move forward from the tunnel vision created by the guilty few.
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