There’s a day etched in my memory, a day that transformed my perception of kindness and humanity. As I sit down to share this experience, I find it difficult to express just how much it meant to me, but I feel compelled to tell my story. It’s a tale that restored my faith in rickshaw drivers, or “rickshawalas,” and reminded me of the goodness that exists in the world.
It was a typical Saturday morning, and I was preparing to leave Pune. Before heading out, I needed to meet my cousin, so I hired a rickshaw from Wadia College. To my utter surprise, the rickshaw driver didn’t ask for extra fare—he simply switched on the meter. For anyone familiar with Pune, you’ll understand how rare this is; most rickshawalas tend to request additional cash.
I settled into the rickshaw, placing my luggage on the seat and my backpack in the trunk. As we drove, I was distracted by my phone, and before I knew it, we had reached our destination.
“How much should I pay?” I asked as we arrived. “Jo meter pae dikh raha hai,” he replied. I was taken aback. “I’ve lived in Pune for seven years, and no rickshaw driver has ever taken me by meter before. You’re the first!” “Thank you beta,” he said with a warm smile before driving off.
As soon as he left, it hit me—I had forgotten my backpack in the trunk. Panic washed over me as I rushed to the nearest rickshaw stand, desperately hoping he would still be there. But he was long gone. My heart sank; my world felt shattered. All I could do was cling to hope that he would return. He seemed like a genuinely good person.
After half an hour of waiting, I approached the society watchman and asked him to keep an eye out for a rickshaw driver with a blue backpack. As I walked back to my cousin’s place, I berated myself for being so careless. Thoughts raced through my mind about all the valuable items in that bag. Just when despair threatened to consume me, I spotted him—my rickshaw driver—approaching with a big smile on his face. “Bhaiya, aap apna bag bhul gaye they,” he exclaimed as he handed it over to me.
In that moment, tears streamed down my face as relief flooded through me. He hugged me tightly and said, “Tu toh betey jaisa hai; koi apne betey se koi thodi chori karega.” I was speechless. The weight of gratitude pressed heavily on my heart as tears continued to fall. I offered him 100 rupees for his kindness, but he simply shook his head and said, “Nai beta, bas dua do aap. Paisa nai chahiye.” With that, he left with his trademark smile.
If God exists anywhere, it is within people like him. His act of kindness reminded me that no good deed goes unnoticed; love and kindness always make a difference. They bless both the giver and the receiver.
I hope this message reaches you—a testament to how one person can restore faith in humanity. Hats off to you, sir! Your face will forever remain in my memory; your kindness is an experience I will never forget.
From the bottom of my heart “Thank you again sir.”
“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
Submitted By – Milan Vaghela
If you, too, have an inspiring story to tell the world, send us your story at mystory@5w1h.media
