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Welcome cup Tea...
A group of 15 solders led by a Major were
on their way to the post in Himalaya where they would be deployed for
the next 3 months. The batch who would be relieved waiting anxiously.
It was cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.
The major thought "If someone could offer a cup of tea. . ," knowing it was a futile wish..
They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated
structure, which looked like a tea shop but locked. It was late in the
night.
"No tea boys, bad luck", said the major. But he suggested all take some rest there as they have been walking for 3 hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea... We will have to break the lock", suggested one solder.
The officer was in great dilemma to the unethical suggestion but the
thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him to give
the permission.
They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits. The solders had tea & biscuits and were ready for the remaining journey.
The major thought, they had broken open lock and had tea & biscuits
without the permission of the owner. But they're not a band of thieves
but disciplined soldiers. He took out a Rs 1000/- note from his
wallet, placed it on the counter, pressed under sugar container, so
that the owner can see. The officer was now relieved of his guilt. He ordered to put the shutter down and proceed.
Three months passed, they continued to do gallantly in their works and
were lucky not to loose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency
situation. It was time for another team to replace them. Soon they were on their way back and stopped at the same tea shop which was open and owner was present in the shop.
The owner an old man will meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.All of them had tea and biscuits. They talked to the old man about his
life and experience specially selling tea at such a remote place. The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God.
"Oh, Baba, if God is there, why should He keep you in such poverty?", commented one of them.
"Do not say like that Sahib! God actually is there, I got a proof 3 months ago."
"I was going through very tough times because my only son had been
severely beaten by terrorist who wanted some information from him which
he did not have. I had closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some
medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. No one would give me loan for fear of the terrorists. There was no hope, Sahib".
"And that day Sahib, I prayed to God for help. And Sahib, God walked into my shop that day."
"When I returned to my shop, I found lock broken, I felt I was finished, I lost whatever little I had. But then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/ under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib what that money was worth that day. God exists Sahib. He does."
The faith in his eyes were unflinching.
Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet".
The officer got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said,
"Yes Baba, I know God does exist. And yes, the tea was wonderful."
The the 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer, a rare sight.
THE TRUTH IS U CAN BE GOD TO ANYONE...as the saying goes deiva(m) manusya rupena...meaning god takes form of fellow human beings to help the needy.
Source Courtesy: Internet
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