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An iota of sense

There was a family in our neighbourhood. Whenever they brought us any delicacy, my sister would sigh because sweets were always followed by requests for favours, rather demands. They have an impeccable track record.

They believe that it is courtesy to gift something before asking the person a favour. They think it makes the receiver of the gift, obliged to oblige. They also think the other person would be flattered. Worst of all, they think the other person expects something in return for the favour.

My colleague, a jolly fellow, is new to this city. He is put up about twelve kilometres away from our workplace and unfortunately, doesn’t own a vehicle. He asked a few colleagues if they were headed in the direction of his place. They answered in the negative.

While waiting outside the office premises, we noticed another colleague struggling to take his motorcycle out of the parking lot. The steering of his motorcycle got entangled with that of another and he seemed to lose balance. Before I could assess if he needed help, my friend rushed to help the struggling man. After moving the motorcycle out of the parking area without pushing down any other motorcycle, my friend had a conversation with the other colleague.
He then walked back to where I was waiting.

‘So, he too refused to take you?’ I asked.
‘Take me where?’ he asked.
‘Didn’t you ask him if he was going towards your place?’, I asked.
‘Oh no! We shouldn’t ask for a favour immediately after offering help’
‘Why?’
‘It would appear like I helped him just to ask for a favour in return’
‘Why are you bothered about what he would think?’
‘I am not bothered about what he would think. I am bothered about how he would feel, because that’s what he would remember about me’

It made sense.





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Comments

  1. vamsy30 June 2015 at 09:12

    Dei...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown30 June 2015 at 09:18

    Truly inspirational!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Arijit Mitra30 June 2015 at 09:28

    Awsome ananth. This piece is so relevant in the current time. Last sunday, Chetan Bhagat wrote an article on "Favours", though the context and treatment is completely different.

    Your take on very normal and simple events in day to day life is becoming an unique style.

    Please post regularly. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ananth30 June 2015 at 09:57

      http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/The-underage-optimist/netas-do-us-a-favour-dont-swap-favours-2/

      I just read the article.

      Yes Mitra, I ll post regularly :)

      Delete
  4. Unknown30 June 2015 at 09:31

    A very thoughtful one Ananth..hoping there is a shift in trend from being normal to being great by such simple thoughts which ur friend had :)
    Good work..Ananth

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown30 June 2015 at 09:31

    A very thoughtful one Ananth..hoping there is a shift in trend from being normal to being great by such simple thoughts which ur friend had :)
    Good work..Ananth

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown30 June 2015 at 09:31

    A very thoughtful one Ananth..hoping there is a shift in trend from being normal to being great by such simple thoughts which ur friend had :)
    Good work..Ananth

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown30 June 2015 at 09:43

    good one Ananth...very well written..it's a simple incident tat everyone faces..but none tends to reflect upon it...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ananth30 June 2015 at 10:14

    Yes Keerthi. It is said, 'If you take care of the small things, big things will take care of themselves'

    ReplyDelete
  9. Harish30 June 2015 at 20:52

    Very true da... Good one:-)

    ReplyDelete
  10. sudhar30 June 2015 at 21:06

    Awesome again

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown1 July 2015 at 06:37

    Good one machaa

    ReplyDelete
  12. chiragwithdreams1 July 2015 at 08:37

    Nice one bro..keep it up

    ReplyDelete
  13. jeeva22 January 2016 at 08:59

    Super ananth, you should mention your friend name too.

    ReplyDelete

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