When kindness touches the heart

The world is still not bereft of extremely honest and compassionate people even when they are themselves in trying circumstances. Here is one touching story written long back that I wish to share.

Hiralal was leaning on his yellow-coloured Ambassador cab at Howrah station waiting for the last train. It was past 11 pm. The train from Delhi it seemed was running late. He could not say he had a good day and most of his rides were for short distances that did not fetch him much. As a principle, he never asked for more than the metered fare for he considered it a form of begging. Scrupulously honest he never tampered with the meter. He had some self-made rules. He never refused to take a pregnant woman however short or long the distance may be. He avoided drunken men, gangs of troublesome-looking youngsters or shady-looking couples. He would be happy if he got a foreign tourist or an occasional rich man. The latter type has their cars.

In the morning, his wife Meena reminded him that there was no stock of groceries and unless he fetched some money, the children would go hungry. She had also said the youngest girl was suffering from a fever for two days and had to be taken to a doctor. His elder son told him that the last date for school fees was over ten days back. His mom’s request for a blanket to protect herself from chillness was remaining unattended to for a month. His immediate concern was to earn some money to buy food for his family.

He wiped his old car clean and took care of it as if it were his child. He put a lighted joss stick in front of Ma Kali’s picture on the dashboard and said a quick prayer. He saw some quick movement amongst the other drivers towards the station to solicit passengers. The prepaid taxi counter had closed by 10 pm. Hiralal heard the hoot of the train and there was a scramble for a vantage position amongst the cabbies to catch the attention of arriving passengers.

Hiralal stood a little away from others on the opposite side. The other drivers managed to get passengers and started driving away one by one. When the arriving passengers became a trickle, he got worried and the starving family came to mind. He quickly prayed again Ma Kali when an elderly gentleman with a suitcase and a bag approached him. He looked tired and unable to pull the box.

” Baba, let me take your box and bag. I will take you wherever you want to go. Please come with me and get into the car.”

He opened the door and made him sit comfortably. He kept the box and bag in the boot of the car. As he sat at the wheel and started the car, he asked the elderly passenger “Where am I supposed to take you?”

“Lake market. Once you reach there, I will direct you further. I have never seen anyone taking a passenger without asking for the destination. You seem a good person”

“Thanks, Baba. I don’t ask normally and today wherever you wished to go I would have taken you” he replied

“What is special today?”

“Since morning I have had only a few rides mostly minimum fare. I need to take some money home. My wife has asked me not to come home without money to buy groceries for the kitchen”

“Oh, oh I am sorry to hear about it. Don’t worry. I will pay you two hundred rupees more than the fare. I have no family or children and tomorrow is Makar Sankranti. Are you in the Lake Market area and in which case I can use your cab regularly?”

“No, Baba. Pay me the due fare. I don’t wish to take more”

“I am not feeling well. Let me rest for a while.” he said and took a five hundred rupee note from his pocket.” Keep this with you. You can return me the balance if any after taking the extra two hundred rupees” he said and dropped the note in front seat by the side of the driver.

“Why now itself? What is the hurry? “Hiralal protested mildly but found the elderly man resting with closed eyes. He did not disturb him as he said he was tired. He tried to pick up some conversation near the Victoria Memorial. But he seemed to be asleep. Again, as he crossed Bhowanipore and was nearing Hazra Road he asked “Baba, we are nearing Kalighat and will soon be at Lake Market. Wake up to give me directions”

There was again no reply. Worried he stopped the car near the tram depot and nudged him. The man fell on his sides. He quickly got out of the car and. nudged him repeatedly calling “Baba, Baba.” When there was no response, he quickly turned the car to take him to Ramakrishna Mission Hospital nearby. The doctors there pronounced him dead on arrival after a massive cardiac arrest.

 Hiralal told them of the circumstances and gave them his address and the taxi number. He left the bag and the box with hospital authorities. The fare including the extra Rs.200 was only 360 rupees. He inserted Rs.140 in the dead man’s pocket to the amused stare of those around and left the hospital in tears after paying obeisance to the departed soul.