A few days ago I went to a grocery shop which was flooded with customers and I had no option but to wait. Having nothing else to do I started observing the people around me. There were so many different types of people —each yelling out what they needed. An older lady came and stood beside me. A few seconds later a little girl entered the shop with a ten- rupee-note in her hand and her eyes full of fear when she saw the crowd. She became nervous and worried.
The lady who smiled at me started talking to her. She asked her name, her school and also asked her about her whereabouts. I felt happy at the kindness of the woman in making that child feel comfortable. I also felt a little ashamed for not feeling or acting the same way.
I also felt bad for not showing such kindness to a little girl and it also developed hatred in my heart for the never-mind attitude of the people there. But it took me a moment to realise that it was the women's ulterior motive in talking as she saw her as a prospective student for her music school.
In this business driven world, people try to advertise everywhere possible. They always look the maximum that they can get from what they see. Is this fair? Is our humanity lost? Won’t people talk if they don’t derive any benefit from others? This needs to change and soon.
MANJU B., Final year, BE C.Sc, Sri Sairam Engineering College
