Everybody commits mistakes and realize later. Some times good people commit mistake and land in trouble. As a gentleman, own up t0 what you didn’ t do right. By doing so, you will learn and earn respect.
It was on hot summer day at 1.30, there was a long queue at the cash counter Paramount Mall, Bengaluru. Suddenly, one sturdy lady carrying portable umbrella running towards the long queue managed to push the lean lady behind, who was in front. In the process, her umbrella hit the lean lady causing minor injury to right hand. This was irritated to the lean lady and said with anger,
“This is not fair on your part. You are behaving like an uncivilized person.”
“Hold your tongue. I have not done anything wrong. On the contrary, you are misbehaving with me.” replied sturdy lady
“You are a liar.” said lean lady
“You don’t know the truth. When I was in the queue in front, I forgot to bring the umbrella kept on the bench. By the time, I returned you came front.”
“You know the art of telling lie. I will lodge the complaint with the manager of the mall. People like you deserve punishment.”
As soon as the trouble starts between the ladies, other people in the queue raised an objection. The argument between the ladies reached the ugly stage.
A little pretty girl of eight years just behind the lean lady keenly observing the situation. She was with her mom. The little girl rushed towards the ladies and told the sturdy lady.
“Aunty, I don’t like your rude behavior. You have pushed her back and caused injury. You have to say sorry and move last in the queue.”
It was surprising for everybody and they were looking at the smart girl. The sturdy lady had to cut a sorry figure. She expressed sorry and vacated the front space to lean lady. She was reluctant to go to the last in the queue. The security staff arrived at the spot and told the sturdy lady to go last. The little girl had a smile on her face.
In another incident after a fortnight, the same ladies met in a air condition compartment of a train proceeding to Mumbai from Bengaluru. This time, they were in fix that reservation of the same seat was allotted to both of them. The heated argument started. The sturdy lady already occupied the seat refused to vacate. Both lost their patience and war of words begun.
“This is my seat. How dare you are to occupy my seat.” Said, lean lady
“Show me your ticket.” Asked sturdy lady
She showed her ticket. The same seat number was there.
The sturdy lady showed her ticket and said,
“ You may lodge a complaint with the ticket examiner.”
It was an entertainment for the passengers. Ticket examiner arrived for checking the tickets. He saw both ladies were fighting for the same seat and realized that it was a mistake of the railway. The Ticket Examiner provided an another seat to one of them. Both were proceeding to Mumbai. On reaching Dadar station, both got down at the platform. There was a huge crowd of passangers on the platform. They were in a hurry to go outside. The two ladies traveling from Bengaluru again met at a spot where there was no space to pass through. The sturdy lady pushed the lean lady. In the process, the lean lady fell down and suffered a minor injury. The lady,who caused injury left without showing sympathy. Ignoring the pain, she moved fast to catch hold of sturdy lady. She was negotiating the fare with the taxi driver and saw the lady, who was struggling to meet her.
“You have no courtesy to say sorry.” Said the lean lady
“I have not done it purposely. It is common in such a crowded place.” Replied sturdy lady with arrogance
“By appearance, you look like an educated woman.You have disapproved the phrase ‘face is the index of a man.’ Your attitude is totally like an uncivilized person. I will not leave you till you say sorry.” Said, lean lady
The sturdy lady felt very much for the comments made by the lean lady.The lean lady was successful in stopping the sturdy lady.Their fight continued for some time. People standing there didn’t notice these ladies. Ultimately, the sturdy lady said sorry. Both the ladies didn’t know each other. They were going to the same place and for the same purpose.
2
After a fortnight, in a marriage pandal, the lean lady saw the sturdy lady sitting on the chair just below the platform meant for marriage. She was surrounded by a number of ladies. They were busy in humorous talk. Their talk was so loud that everybody attracted to them. The lean lady was surprised to see her own elder sister in the group. She was unable to tolerate her sister hugging the sturdy lady. The same woman insulted her not once but thrice. She took out the mobile and called her sister to come to the entrance of the pandal.
Her sister arrived there within two minutes and asked, “ Sumati, when did you come ? Are you okay? You didn’t call me after your arrival to Mumbai. Today also, you didn’t call me. I would have arranged Uber taxi. Let us go there. I will introduce you a wonderful lady.”
“Pankaja, I know the person you are going to introduce.”
“Very good. Did you know her?”
“I don’t know her name. She met me on three occasions and insulted me.”
“ What is this you are telling. She is a nice woman. Anuradha is my collegemate. She is teaching English at a degreecollege. Our friendship is for the last 15 years. You know my daughter is going to marry her son.”
Sumati became dumb and unable to express anything at that moment. Observing her sister, “Sumati what happened?”
Sumati narrated the incidents on three occasions. She was reluctant to meet Anuradha. Pankaja insisted her sister to bear for her sake.
“My dear sister Sumati, relationships gets stronger when both are willing to understand mistakes and forgive each other.” Said Pankaja
Sumati accepted her sister’s advice after continuous persuation.
“Yes! I agree with your view. No one in this world is pure and perfect. If you avoid people for their mistakes, you will be alone in this world. So judge less and love more.” said Sumati.
“I am happy that you have changed your mind.” said Pankaja
Both sisters went there.
“Anuradha, she is my younger sister Sumati. She is working as a Psychology Lecturer in University Degree College.”
Anuradha was surprised to see her. She recollected the past incidents. She got up from her seat and said with folded hands, ”Sumati, I beg your pardon. I am not a perfect person. I do commit a lot of mistakes. But I really appreciate those people, who meet me after knowing how really I am….?”
Sumati could not tolerate her emotion and said, “Anuradha, please excuse me. When we commit mistakes, there are only three things to bear in mind. They admit it, learn from it and never repeat it.”
“Sumati, it was a mistake committed by me. I have to own up to what I didn’t do right. That’s how I learn and respect. In future, I must be very careful with my behavior and words. Once they come out from the mouth can only be forgiven not forgotten.”
Sumati observed Anuradha’s simplicity and acceptance of her guilt.
She said, ”Anuradha, please don’t belittle me. You are like my elder sister.”
“Sumati, it is your greatness.”
The bride and bridegroom arrived at the specially arranged platform. The marriage was over with all the religious rituals. The bride and bridegroom prostrated all the elders and took blessings from them. Sumptuous food was served to all the guests. The marriage hall was empty after half an hour. Guests, who attended the marriage ceremony disbursed to their respective places.
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. Admitting the weaknesses does not diminish strength. It shows the courage.
–END–
