
Manoj was was going back to home after attending a New Year’s party with his wife Mamta. It was very cold outside. In fact, the entire region was reeling under severe cold wave conditions, with mercury plunging to near zero levels.
Manoj’s heart was moved to see an old beggar wrapped in a thin, old and torn rag sheet on the footpath. He stopped the car and gave the blanket kept in the car dicky.
Mamta gave him a disapproving look and said, “I bet, he will not wear it, but will sell it and buy some booze.” Manoj kept mum.
After two days, both husband and wife were again returning from a function. It was again a chilly night. But Manoj was surprised to see that the old beggar was shivering under the same old sheet. The old beggar did not have the blanket, he had given to him.
Mamta was amused, but Manoj got angry. Both got down from the car. Manoj sarcastically asked the old man, “Where is the blanket, baba?”

The old man gestured with his hand where an old woman was lying at a distance. She was wearing the same blanket they had given. He replied, “That woman is handicapped and her clothes are also torn. I have at least this old sheet, she had nothing, so I gave her your blanket.”
He who doesn’t have a roof, has all the sky with him.
Both were left bewildered. Mamta whispered to Manoj, “I have a Jaipuri quilt. Let’s bring it from home to give it to baba ji.”
No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool we believe we are, how we treat people ultimately tells it all.
Friends, let’s thank God that He has placed us in the category of givers. Wealth never reduces by giving it to the needy. The Sun comes up daily to share its light and energy, but its store never diminishes.

This reminds me of a verse written by Kabir Das, a 15th-century mystic poet and saint:
चिड़ी चोंच भर ले गई।
नदी न घटिये नीर।।
दान दिए धन ना घटे।
कह गए दास कबीर ।।
(There is no reduction in the water of the river if a bird takes water in her beak from the river. In the same way, donating to the needy does not reduce anyone’s wealth.)
Incidentally, today (January 12), The National Youth Day is the 159th birthday of Swami Vivekananda, an Indian monk, poet, philosopher, social reformer and spiritual leader. He was a disciple of the mystic Ramakrishna Paramhansa, who taught him that all living beings are embodiments of the divine self, and therefore we can serve God by serving the humankind.

–Kaushal Kishore
images except Kabir: pixabay
I will come back, Kaushal, but you have made my day by remembering Swami Vivekananda, my guru. I wrote his 4 posts biography. If you have not read it, please let me know and I will give you a link to where to find it.
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
“how we treat people ultimately tells it all.” That is so true. Beautiful story, KK❣
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Suvi for your kind appreciation! It truly means a lot 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re most welcome:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Joanna for your kind words. You know I read each and every post on your blog site. I remember I had read and commented on all the 4 posts under Great Books of the World series. It was a complete treatise. But if you have written something else too, please let me know.
LikeLike
You are, Kaushal, as I have told you a few times adorable! And your memory is enviable!
Your today’s post is so wonderful that I just have to come back and write some more.
Joanna
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Joanna! It’s your kindness and affection that I always value. It’s an honour to connect with a person like you.
LikeLike
You are more than welcome!
Joana
LikeLiked by 1 person
Philosophy , Vedanta , by Swamiji , a treasure , nice post sir , very inspiring, as always, thank you for sharing ❣️❣️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Reena. I’m glad you liked it. Right from my childhood, Swami ji was my inspiration.😊💐💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Kaushal, I love with a passion every single word of today’s post!! Kabir Das quote is my mantra and I adhere to it religiously!
Thank you so much for writing another amazing masterpiece!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Masterpiece? I feel elated. Thank you so much, Joanna for your encouraging words. Right from school days, I had been reading and memorising couplets of Kabir, Rahim and Bihari.
LikeLike
You are more than welcome!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
How we treat others is a great reflection of who we are. Wonderful post, KK.💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad to hear that. Thank you, Grace for your kind words of appreciation 😊💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure.💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVE this post. Thank you for such beautiful ideals to enact in our lives. “No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool we believe we are, how we treat people ultimately tells it all.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m happy that you liked the post. Thanks a lot, Betty!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful message. I too have read Vivekananda’s works and have been inspired by his words. Great share Kaushal. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Suzette for your appreciation. It’s great to know that you too have been inspired by Swami Vivekananda.
LikeLike
My pleasure, Kaushal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can serve God by serving Human. The post has several important take aways but I’ll take this one.
Very insightful KK
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Derrick! I’m really glad that you liked the content of this post!!
LikeLiked by 1 person