The summer afternoon story writing
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On a hot summer afternoon I was waiting for my turn at an ATM on Nungambakkam road,Chennai.Unable to bear the blistering heat I was raring to get into the cool confines of the temporary relief on hand - the ATM.My gaze fell on a little under 10 year old girl politely requesting passersby for help.I was wondering what this girl was requesting when a person behind me yelled "Sir,Your turn".I quickly went into the ATM amid the curiosity of that polite girl.Having finished my business I came out
With sprightly steps she came up to me and slipped a writing pad into my hand.I was taken by surprise at her enthusiasm and went through the contents typed neatly on the page in front of me.It said that the bearer of this letter was collecting funds for developing the building of her school which was in poor shape.I enquired about her school and she explained the sorry state of affairs.She came from a poor family but hinted that she wanted to study well and become someone in life.I appreciated her talk and took out my purse.I momentarily glanced at the donations made before me and saw that Rs.20 was the maximum contribution done.I was searching for a simliar sum when I discovered I had only Rs.100 notes in my reluctant wallet.
I wrote my name in the attached sheet and signed quoting Rs.25.I took a hundred rupee note and gave it to her seeking the change.She said I was the first person to make a contribution for the day and had no change.I took back the note and was looking for someone when I found no person around me at that time.It was around 12.30 PM on a sunday and shops in the vicinity had their shutters down.I stood there for 10 minutes looking for passerby's when I noticed a nonchalant look on her face.I asked her if she had a solution.She smilingly said yes sir.Sir,Why don't you change the amount mentioned as Rs.100.It was bolt from the blue for me.Sir,your contribution will be the highest in my book and you will be blessed.Taken aback by her forthright statement I said why not and gave her the hundred rupee note,wished her good luck in life and sped the scene.
As I made my way back home the picture of that courageous little girl stood frozen in my thoughts.How small I felt when she gave a solution to that problem.I was wondering why as a matured adult my behaviour did not reflect the responsible,benevolent citizen which I always claim to be.She taught me a valuable lesson that summer afternoon.Philanthropy should be a natural exercise born out of love,compassion and concern for people and society and should not be the laboured involuntary act of circumstance or fate.Swami Vivekananda had rightly said"The joy of giving far outweighs the joy of recieving".But in the blistering chennai heat a ten year old girl showed the way.A lesson for life.