It was a hard existence for the car driver living in
the mountains with a big family and single earning. When there was no demand
for his vehicle from the tourists or on unseasonal lull his helplessness
transformed into anger towards the family
Added to his woes of low earning he was enticed by a
VIP of the town to buy his car so that he could become a car owner. The man
fell for the trap and borrowed money to pay for the car. Apart from the amount
paid, the driver was asked to pay the monthly dues for the loan the man had
taken towards his car. For his part the seller didn't bother to provide any
legal document to prove that after the bank dues were paid the vehicle would
belong to him. The poor man solidly relied in human sincerity and also did not
have the courage to ask for a document.
With the dwindling income he was in deep trouble with
the bank and had to borrow money even for day to day expenses. As an appendage
the expenses for great festival of Christmas were looming large in the horizon
what with the festive expectations of his children. The accumulated
frustrations had pushed the man to his nadir.
As on every day morning dressed in his white uniform he
waited hoping against hope for a ride. “Is every one's life such a pile of
tribulations?” he ruminated.
At that moment a tall man with a head full of white
hair belying his age accosted him.
"My daughter in law is very sick...... We are taking her to her mother's place. Is
your vehicle air conditioned...? Is it good for a long distance drive?" he
said
With an enthusiastic affirmation from him they settled
over the rate for a to and fro trip.
"He is indeed a good customer." the driver
thought "Taking me along for the meals on the way and providing tea at
regular intervals lest I fall asleep. And his wife is also a pleasant lady full
of vigour.”
The settlement was handsome and soon he became the
regular driver for the couple.
Yet with all the
good will whatever he earned was like a drop in the ocean.
One day morning as he was waiting at their house he saw
the couple blessing the gardener and handing over a gift to him. When he
enquired, the gardener proudly said that it was his birthday today.
"Celebrating a worker's birthday.......? Impossible and unheard of...!" the
driver was astounded.
"Do you know that they have a list of all the
estate workers and their families' birthdays and other auspicious days and it
is hung in their room?" The
gardener happily announced.
“Would you believe if I say that they got jerkins for
all of us when they returned from their America trip? They are good people who
can treat everyone as a respectable human being."
Hearing this the driver thought "Then I must
be lucky to drive for such noble couple
though it was just on and off!" His
esteem for them rose sky high.
He was behind
them whenever they went for shopping never allowing them to carry the bags. If
they went out to buy saplings he took them to the right place. With his assistance they bought the best of
honey, unadulterated peppers straight from the owners' orchard. By and by the
relationship grew and he considered it a blessing to be in their company!
One day as they were returning from the town, down in the
planes, the car stopped in the middle of the mountain road. The driver and the
man got down to check and found out that it was a major repair. With the help from the ongoing vehicle
drivers they managed to tow the car to a mechanic shop.
After a week when the driver was called for duty by the
couple they found out that his cell phone was switched off. One of the workers
who lived near his house told him that
he was at home for the past few days but he couldn't give any more detail.
That man might
not know that the lender from whom he borrowed came and shouted at him with
unutterable words and set a time for the
dues to be paid. And the bank people were behind his back for the monthly
repayment.
His wife was furious.
"When you were working on a rental basis we at
least had the peace of mind. Now owing the car had landed us into unwanted
problems. Never in our lives have we
heard such lowly words used against us.
Let us sell this
house and pay the dues and go back to our village. I cannot bear the shouts of that rogue once
more.." she emphatically said.
Meanwhile the couple decided to visit the driver. May
be he was very sick. The house was dark
with no heating to keep off the cold. Covered in a blanket the driver
was sitting in a corner with his head held between his knees. He got the shock
of his life when he saw the couple and shot up!
“Sir………. Sir ….. Amma … amma …. “ No other word could
come out of his mouth.
“We were worried” the lady said “Your cell phone was
switched off….Where is your car? Haven’t you yet repaired it?"
“Amma ........it will be repaired in a few days."
His wife who was listening blurted out "Amma please don't believe his words. The lender
came and threatened him regarding the repayment of the loans and told that he
would confiscate his house in lieu of their loan and the bank people too were
coercing him regarding their dues."
"But why has he taken so many loans?"
The whole story cascaded down with great force!
Consoling them and handing over some cash they came
back home.
The couple could feel the pain of deception and poverty
of the family.
“In spite of all his problems the driver was giving us
a great service with a smiling face and not a single word regarding his
problems!” The lady was surprised.
“It shows the goodness in him.” The man said ” But as
of now he is indeed in a Medusa’s tangle which has to be sorted out stage by
stage.”
As a first step they decided to get the car repaired which was the tool for
his existence.
With great
effort and help from the influential local people they legalized the possession
of the car.
Their generous
heart enabled them to repay all the loans which carried lot of interest and
requested him to repay just the principal amount on a monthly basis.
The driver couldn’t believe the miracle that is
happening in front of his eyes…….!
“Am I worthy of so many gifts Lord?” He blurted out!
“How could I repay this generosity? “He wondered!
On cold morning they found the whole family waiting in
the portico and as the couple wondered what was happening they fell flat on the
ground and wouldn’t get up till they were raised!
“You are the personification of God.” With folded hands and uncontrollable tears
the driver said “No….. No……. No…. I am not right ……….you are the God.”
“Never ever say that.” The man said “We are God’s
children.”
It was indeed the best Christmas for the family!
The driver’s family became their own and best part of
the couple’s Deepavali celebration was inviting them for the grand lunch.
And there is no need to say that the family became part
of couple's 'Wonder List' hanging in their room!
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p.s. We are indeed proud to be associated with such
people who carry the values of life as their prime priority!!
