A glass of milk
Once there was boy who was very much interested
in studies. He was from a very poor family and his parents could not even
provide him regular food. He took up job of a newspaper delivery boy and even
sold candles and matches so that he could pay his school fee. Everyone in the
neighborhood knew him and his hard work. After school, he would even run errands
for the neighborhood people. One day, as he was walking back home from school,
he felt very hungry and weak. As he took further steps he suddenly fell down. Seeing him fall, a young lady rushed to the
spot from her house. She helped the boy to get up, collected his books and
helped him walk to her house. The boy was very hesitant to ask for food, though
very hungry. He asked for a little water to drink. The young lady sensed his
hunger and offered him a glass of milk. The boy thanked her from the bottom of
his heart and asked her how much he owed her for the milk. “You don’t owe me
anything,” she replied. “I have seen you working hard and I know you help many
people in our neighborhood. My mother has taught me that kindness is repaid
with kindness.” The boy felt very happy
and thanked her again.
Years passed by. The lady fell ill and was
diagnosed with the rarest kind of nervous disorder. Many experienced doctors
were baffled at her condition. She was asked to get admitted in the city
hospital where specialized and advanced treatments were possible. Dr. Athreya,
a renowned neuro specialist was called in by the hospital to examine her. When
he heard the name of the town she came from, his eyes brightened. He
immediately rushed to her room. He recognized her at once and remembered her
kindness. He studied her disease carefully and was determined to do his best to
save her life. With perseverance and hard work that lasted months, he was
finally able to get the disease completely cured.
The lady was extremely happy and thankful about
being cured but was quite worried about the hospital bills. She had very little
money left in her bank. When the bill arrived, with trembling hands she opened
it. She was stunned to see that the bill had been crossed out and cancelled,
and there was a note underneath signed by Dr. Athreya with the following words,
“PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK. Crying tears of joy, she recognized and
thanked the doctor, who was none other than the little boy whom she had helped
years ago.
Moral: Always help people in need. One good
deed begets another.
Listen to this story here: https://youtu.be/xAxcBZ6a2pw
