A Life-Changing Encounter
By Lokanath Mishra
Lily, a final-year student in Bhubaneswar, had an experience that taught her valuable lessons about life. One Saturday evening , she and her friends visited a bustling food court in Sahidnagar. As she was enjoying a Rawa cheese dosa with extra masala and chutney, a man accidentally pushed her hand, causing her plate to slip and fall on another man.
The man’s robust build and thick mustache made Lily’s heart race, and she expected him to react harshly. She apologized profusely, bracing herself for a negative response.
But to her surprise, the man spoke in a smooth voice, “Be careful, beta.” His calm demeanor put Lily at ease. As she went to get a tissue to clean his shirt, his wife arrived and told her not to worry about it. The man then ordered another dosa for Lily, insisting that she eat it, saying that students might not have money with them.
This experience taught Lily two important lessons:
- Don’t judge a person by their appearance: The man’s rugged appearance had initially intimidated her, but he turned out to be kind and understanding.
- Sometimes, people don’t act intentionally: The man’s push was an accident, and he apologized her.
This incident had a profound impact on Lily. She learned to be patient and understanding in unexpected situations and realized that kindness and generosity can come from unexpected places. This experience also made her understand the importance of empathy and understanding in daily interactions, highlighting the value of building stronger relationships and creating a more harmonious community.
Lily’s encounter with the kind stranger reminded her that life is full of unexpected moments, and how we respond to them defines our character. By choosing to respond with kindness and understanding, we can turn potentially negative situations into positive ones. This experience will stay with Lily forever, serving as a reminder of the importance of empathy, kindness, and understanding in our daily lives.
