It has rightly been said by Sir Joseph Campbell, “We cannot cure the world’s sorrows but we can choose to inspire others to live in joy.” I believe there are moments in life that make us inspire others or even play a small role in changing their lives for the better. These ways could be in the form of kind gestures to one another or helping a stranger who is in desperate need of comfort. This way if men and women perform kind actions we will be a step closer to making the world a better place to live in.
I too have one such moment where my outlook towards life has changed completely. It took place only a few days ago and I am sure I will cherish the memory forever. It started like this:
I woke earlier than usual, feeling confident that I would seize all opportunities the day would provide me with and overcome all the difficulties that I would face throughout the day. I then got ready and left for school. On my way, I noticed something rather peculiar in nature that took me completely by surprise. I noticed that the once joyful, optimistic and happy-go-lucky homeless man that I would encounter on my way to school every day was looking sad, gloomy and depressed. His mouth turned downwards in a frown and his eyebrows furrowed. I recalled that he would always put a smile on my face whenever I met him. But today, nothing, not a pleasant greeting, a soft smile or a nod. Due to my inquisitive nature, I went and enquired in an attempt to find out his anguish, “Are you doing well sir, is something wrong?” not a single word left his mouth. I was getting concerned as to why he had not spoken to me yet so I asked him, “Perhaps you require help with something…”. His body racked with sobs as soon as I asked him and replied, “Son, my children have fallen terribly ill. I wish- I wish I could aid their cure but I’m afraid I cannot do anything to help. I feel like a terrible and unaccomplished father. I- I’m sorry I am ranting about my life’s problems to you-” the rest of his sentence died on his lips. I felt sympathetic towards him and hearing those melancholic words made me want to do everything in my power to help him out.
My first instinct was to take him to a cosy diner where he could have a warm beverage and quell his thirst and hunger. He had a cup of warm tea as he told me the entire story about how he came to a metropolitan city seeking employment so he could provide for his family and how his efforts to get a job were in vain because no one would employ him. He regretted the fact that he was unable to help his own children out, who were living with their mother in a village, far away. Once he finished his tale, I told him, “Do not despair, have some faith and everything will turn out just fine. Trust in yourself that you will somehow find a way to aid your children’s needs.” These heartfelt words of motivation did little to lift his spirits. Just as we were leaving the diner, a lottery ticket flew with the wind and fell at my foot. It was as though someone had lit a light bulb in my head, I handed the lottery ticket to the homeless man and counted on a few prayers that he would win the lottery and all would end well.
A few days later, the results of the lottery had been released. I was watching the news channel that showcased the lottery results. My eyes widened as I saw the exact ticket number that the homeless man had. He had won the lottery! I was so excited for him that I ran downstairs to where he would generally sit and gave him the good news. He was overjoyed and thought his ears were deceiving him when he heard the great news.
His life had been changed. After winning the lottery he was able to cure his children by the best doctors in the city. He still expresses his gratitude to me as if it was all my doing, that I, a mere teenager orchestrated such an elaborate ruse to help him get the money. Nevertheless, I always respond to that by saying, “You should always have faith, sir. No matter what you do. That sliver of faith will last longer than you think.”
The expression on that man’s face is something that will remain etched in my mind forever. The way his eyes lit up when he heard the news. How his contagious smile graced his lips. How the corner of his eyes wrinkled in bliss. How he let out a sigh of relief that seemed to take away all the weight he was carrying on his shoulders for as long as I could remember. The old, homeless man got the succour he needed and my prayers had been answered.
Sometimes all it takes is a compassionate act, a selfless deed or a kind gesture to bring felicity to someone’s life. The feeling is indescribable when you become someone’s superhero. One without the red cape and all the glory but one with a sympathetic and golden heart.
