Just Bliss

integrity is virtue

It was a cold and windy night. We friends met after a long time and were chatting for hours in a restaurant. We did not notice that time flew away and it was close to ten. We decided to take an auto rickshaw to go back home.

It started raining and we hurried to get into an auto rickshaw and reach our place. None of the auto rickshaws stopped for us, except one.

The driver asked us where we wanted to go and we told the place. Without a single word about fare, he said, ‘please get in!’

It was so cold and heavy shower of rain made it chillier so we at once got in the rickshaw

However we thanked the kind driver for stopping for us when no other rickshaw or taxi did.

The driver asked us where we wanted to go and we told the place. Without talking anything about the fare he started to move.

Since it was very cold, so I asked  Rehman (the driver) to stop and have a cup of tea with us when we got home.

He refused. I insisted him to take a cup as it was very cold.

He refused again.

My friend asked, ‘Do you mind having tea with us?’

Driver Rehman replied,  ‘Thank you sir, but I’m sorry I don’t feel like having tea now.’

My friend asked, ‘Do you have any habit that you won’t eat outside?’

Rehman said, ‘No!’

My friend became angry on him, ‘You think we are not equal to share a cup of tea with you?’

I was really surprised at his behavior and asked my friend not to compel him.

I was inquisitive to know the reason so I stopped him. Then what he said was heartbreaking.

He said in a very low tone. ‘Sir, my son passed away in an accident today. I don’t have enough money for his funeral. How can I drink tea or eat anything? I don’t feel the cold, rain or hunger. My heart is burning of grief.  Will you please excuse me and let me go. I have to make money. If I get two or three more customers I can get enough to meet my expenses of funeral.’

We friends were stunned and so much  moved, so offered him to bear the expenses but he refused politely but firmly.

He said, ’Thank you for your generosity. I don’t want to bury my son with charity money. I believe that Allah will help me. I will earn it before dawn.’

He could have charged us double or triple the amount like other common rickshaw drivers in the middle of the night and in such weather but he was a man of principles.

In spite of his poor financial condition and utter need he stood by his integrity.

He left a strong impact of his virtuous character on us.