The Nth way
“A little fragrance always clings to the hand that gives the roses.�
� Chinese Proverb
A beautiful spring morning in New Delhi, with the golden sunrays kissing the green leaves to find their way through the dense canopy and soft blowing air, making the weather ever so pleasant! I stand before Safdarjung’s tomb on Aurobindo Marg with my childhood friend, Sanju. What brought us here?
Sanju arrived in Delhi two days ago for a job interview with a software company. On the way from the airport, I asked, “Why do you appear for an interview when you are already in an excellent job?�.
“This company offers a better package, bro, and besides that, I am sick of that place,� he expressed his disdain with apparent signs of frustration creeping over his face.
The next day after the interview, we roamed Connaught Place, enjoying the evening. Then came the news that he was not selected for the job. Everything changed; he sunk into a low mood recollecting all the mishappenings in his life.
“My father left us when I was just 18. The girl I so dearly loved is married to some other guy. I could not get the job I wanted. Life has been a struggle. Why can’t I just have an easy path?. Why is life so cruel to me?,� he moaned.
The sudden gush of my friend’s emotions was tough to see. I was trying my best to console him. Words of support caress a wounded heart. We must never hesitate to offer them to anyone in tears. They cannot be curative in themselves, but they do matter. I asked him to join me the following day to meet a friend.
Yes, this fine sunny morning! And here we are in front of Safdarjung’s tomb, at the junction of Lodhi Road and Aurobindo Marg, waiting for my friend, Rohan.
“Why did you call your friend here?. I am hungry; we could have met in a coffee shop or a restaurant.� Sanju grumbled impatiently.
“Let’s meet him quickly, and then we will go to a restaurant,� I explained.
“Is he a traffic policeman? Or a tourist guide in this tomb?� my friend’s mind rushed through the roads of curiosity!
“Patience, buddy! You will get to know soon.� I tried to pacify him.
And then I saw Rohan. We both strolled towards the traffic signal along the zebra crossing. Next to the divider along the Zebra crossing was a person who appeared like a double amputee standing in chappals wearing a hooded sweatshirt, old yet clean. We stood right behind him for a while.
My friend was getting impatient, asking me, “Why are we standing in the middle of the road?�
Then I went near the hooded person and greeted him, “Hi Rohan, good morning. Meet my friend, Sanju.�
What Sanju saw was the least that he expected. A surprised Sanju made sure if this was the friend we came to meet, and I confirmed yes.
We three had a good time chitchatting. With his wit and sense of humour, Rohan had the magical power to draw a sweet curve above anyone’s chin! Seeing Sanju’s carefree smile after the previous day’s setback was relieving. Although I have a very different definition of a setback. We both would never ever understand Rohan’s definition of a setback. It was 09:00 already; we both bid goodbye to Rohan and left for Connaught place, reaching a South Indian restaurant which could pacify our hunger pangs. Sanju was utterly silent all the way. It seemed like he had started getting his answers. No more questions, no more cribbing.
I had my last bite of the soft white Idli and finally broke the silence.
“You know Sanju, I have travelled through that road daily for the past two years, and everyone who goes through that road would have noticed Rohan in the morning hours. Many must have gone ahead with their journey, ignoring him; some might have quietly prayed for him hurriedly, some might have cursed him, and some might have thoughtlessly mocked him. I believe a human mind can look at a situation in “n� number of ways, a magical facet of infinity. This boy is invariably there every morning, whether it is a prickly cold winter morning or hot and humid summer. Many other generous souls and I slide to the right of that road towards him to contribute whatever we can for this brother-in-alms. When I saw him first, I thought he would be like another panhandler. I saw him every day and every season. His commitment, punctuality, perseverance, willpower, and strength amazed me. When people in their cars hesitate to open windows for a few minutes in the winter, this chap stays, merrily watching the vehicles go by, braving the bitter cold air.
What makes him wake up so early? What makes him reach that place on time every day? What makes him stay there in those adverse conditions? Where does he derive his strength from?
I was intrigued by these questions. I was growing curious for answers. One fine day I finally stepped down from my bike and decided to talk to him. I wanted to know about this person. He was kind enough to let a stranger know about his personal life. Rohan! I knew his name; he was from Ahmedabad, and by birth, he had a disability with lower limbs. He has completed his graduation and is now appearing in Group D exams. He arrives at that Zebra crossing between 07:30 to 07:45 exactly every morning and leaves by 10 am. After that, he prepares for his exams in a small thatched hut near India Gate.
In that brief encounter, this young fellow taught me a big lesson for life. Hope is one of our greatest weapons, and we must tap into its unknown potential. With hope, we can achieve anything.
When a person is born with defects that disable him for all his life, he or she can easily throw away his life, keep crying over fate, and lose touch with reality, failing to experience innumerable joys that still await them. The strength to fight the problem and to live each day trying comes from within. Yes, we all have that hidden flame inside us, hope! It is the lamp of life. Our responsibility is to keep nurturing it with our conscious efforts and keep it burning. In its otherworldly brightness, all difficulties will hide beneath the shadow. All we can visualise is the brilliance of the light, in which real happiness will appear. Regardless of your cast, creed, colour and religion, we all suffer from same problems that are innately human. After all we are all made of same flesh, bones and blood. Hope is the universal solution serving equally every other human regardless of where you belong or to which race or religion you are born.
When you feel the world is crushing you with difficulties from all sides, keep this little wonder called hope alive. Choose your nth way of looking at any situation; it will always be your choice, my dear. Keep a watch. Choose this �n� well; it will guide you to your answers.
I am happy I chose my �n� well when I stopped to meet Rohan. It infused goodness in me. I learned to wake up every morning with hope and energy from him. I remember him when any so-called ‘problem� tries to trouble my mind. Life is more meaningful, and above all the petty worldly affairs we face. All we know is what is happening around us now and what has happened. No one knows what lies ahead. There will always be a doorway that will lead you to a better path. So believe in a better future and keep working hard in the present.
My friend, I hope I have done my bit to help you get out of what you consider as your ‘bad� time. We have a far better life than millions of other poor souls. Let’s be grateful and make the best of what we have. Most importantly, let’s not belittle the woes of others by crying for the tiniest disarray in our lives.�
My lengthy talk made my friend ponder. He smiled and shook his head in agreement.
Everyday life teaches us lessons in �n� number of ways. If we are receptive and strive consciously to choose our �n� well, feeding ourselves with good thoughts, we will be better human beings than we were a day before. Wishing you all your wise n’s!
