Monday, December 16, 2013

Good Samaritan

Have you regretted not having thanked someone enough who helped you? It has happened to me a couple of times. Its not that I have been thankless; but the feeling of never been able to thank enough. The gesture or help may be small but at the right time; when needed the most magnifies the trivial help. I thought I need to share this incident here because such incidents restore the faith in humanity.

During my latest trip to Brunei; I had to transit via Kuala Lumpur. I was flying low cost carrier and hence the terminal was LCCT, KL. It so happens that most international flights arrive by mid night and the onward flights are not until dawn. Since its LCCT; you are required to walk almost a km to the arrival hall and if not having a direct connectivity; you will have to pass through immigration. The walk to the arrivals is tiring in the middle of the night for someone who doesnt stay awake late night. With luggages its more tiresome.

The queue at the clearance was long and by the time I got the stamping it was post 12:30 AM. My onward flight to Brunei was at 6 AM and its that time when you dont need anything else other than sleep. I was walking by to find an empty chair but none. I tried and tried and gave up. Every chair was occupied; people sleeping and waiting for onward flights like me. I didnt know this; else would not have opted for low cost carrier. Seriously thats what I thought.

I saw few people sleeping on the floor and the idea didnt seem bad. I found a corner near the counters and lied down. It was awkward; lone woman with no shawl to spread even. The floor was cold and I was finding it difficult; trying hard not to invite any attention. It was hardly 10 mins past when a janitor walked by. He asked me something in Malay; I gestured I didnt understand. Then he spoke in bit of English he knew. I said I was from India; waiting for my next flight which was at 6 AM. He asked me to follow him. I didnt know what to do; but just got up and walked behind him. He went near a luggage bubble wrap counter that was cordoned off. There was no one; the shop was shut. There was a cozy chair and a table. He asked me to rest there. He snapped off the ribbon; allowed me in. At first I was hesitant. You never know. But I just trust him and thanked him. Left my bag and luggage nearby. Used the table to rest my head and tried to sleep. I did notice that the man was sitting by for a while and could hear him chat with others.

I didnt realize that I had good sleep. I woke up once in between and noticed him standing at a distance. I remembered to thank him again for his great help once I wake up. I woke up just after at 4 when the bubble wrap shop in charge person walked by to open for the day. It was time to get my boarding pass as well. I searched for the janitor but didnt find him. His cart was also missing. Maybe his shift started or it ended. I never saw him. I felt that I should have thanked him more .

I am again flying to KL this Friday. I will be surely searching for this person and if I find him; remind him of his help and thank him profusely. These things really makes your day; isnt it?

And now; I am off to Malaysia and Indonesia for 15 days starting Friday. Vacation yeah! 

22 comments:

  1. Very interesting. This is what called "dheivam manushya roopena". God in the form of human being. I have a question. Why didn''t you book your luggage direct to Brunei? You can do that even if you are going to change the plane in KL.

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    1. Air Asia doesnt have direct flight from Bangalore to Brunei. This is low cost and have to go through these hassles.

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  2. Hi ,I also thought that God came to your help. It made a nice read. God bless you . have a safe journey and I would take some time off from my busy schedule to visit here..tc:)

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    1. Thanks Chitra ma'am. I didnt meet that person :( unfortunate

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  3. The moral is - be kind and helpful to others. There is such great pleasure in helping others; when you see the glow of gratitude on their faces - nothing can beat that high! I still remember the first time I helped a visually challenged person cross the street. That was more than 35 years back, but I still smile at the way I floated away when he said 'thank you'....

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  4. nenja thottuteenga miss.

    whenever i get a chance to sit back and relax, or whenever i am day dreaming, it is ironic that more often than not i go into this mode of regret as i think about some happy moments from the past. it is kind of stressful actually. and your are right - it is not that we are not thankful, but maybe some of us are not good at expressing that gratitude and this inability causes too much stress. when you get some help, you don't want to seem overly meek or sheepish and you just expect the person to understand your plight. but sometimes, people misunderstand when we grope around in uncertainty and feel we are thankless. that's when it is most painful. :-(

    very interesting and a super post bindu. :)

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    1. Happens Gautam. And remember the strongest of the emotions always lack words to express. As long as you are thankful with all your heart; its fine. Thank you.

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  5. I really enjoyed reading this post because I have been thinking of writing about the very same topic. There are strangers in our lives who have stepped in to help us without expecting anything in return. While we may not meet them again, the impact of their kindness is tremendous, perhaps that is why spiritual masters say that no act of kindness goes wasted but it sends out ripples across the Universe. Perhaps 2014 should begin with a resolution to do at least one act of kindness a day for those who need it. Now that's truly the best way to pay back those who have extended help to us in our times of need.

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    1. Swapna,

      Thanks and I am glad we are thinking about gratitude, kindness and such. Humanity exists because of these. I hope we do our bit and bring a smile on somebody's face everyday

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  6. You reminded me of some unholy and insensitive attitude of mine a few days back, which I almost succeeded to forget since. I was driving down one afternoon along an artery road in Thpuram, and had to wait while at a traffic light. I noticed that an elderly woman (about seventy plus) who was walking along the opposite side of the road fell down suddenly. Obviously out of the heat and fatigue. She managed to move on her buttocks and reach the safer side of the road. I was one of the arm chair sermonisers who watched the scene but moved on when the traffic lights moved to green.
    Why did not I move forward to be of help to her? I realized with remorse that I’m no different from the rest in the society. Pathetic!
    Sure it would be good if you can identify the janitor on your trip this week.
    By the way I’m multi coloured with envy about your holidaying ahead.
    Have a good time.

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    1. Anil,

      I have done that quite a few times myself. Now dont be harsh on yourself. Perhaps you would not repeat the inaction again

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  7. true, it's these gestures that make us believe in humanity after all. Hope you find him on your way back.

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  8. After all that's life Insi ! Certain things like these make it worth a journey.Cherish..that's how I love it.

    Hope you'll have meaningful holidays ahead..Cheers !

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    1. True Melange :) Thanks a lot; I had a great time and back. Missed reading a lot of blog posts.

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  9. This may sound crazy coming in 21st century ......but god comes to the rescue of those who are blessed

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  10. There are many instances where people help not expecting anything in return, but we still thank them. I also have the habit of thanking anyone, even the coffee boy at office when he gives me my morning cup of tea. Or that guy who holds the elevator open after he finds me running towards it from a distance. Or that guy who stops the car so that I may cross the road with my child. I thank everybody. It makes them feel better. But it makes me feel much more than that.
    I hope you find that person again. There is nothing like a passenger remembering a random act of a crew and thanking him again. He will never forget it.

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    1. Ahh I have done that and also seen that amusing look from them as to why they have been thanked :-D

      I didnt find him. Alas! but I will remember him and his gesture for times to come.

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