Humanity Endures: A Story of Kindness

A gentleman waited at the railway station, his shoes in need of a polish. A young shoeshiner approached him, offering his services. The man, touched by the boy's humble appearance, extended his shoes. The boy started the work, but unlike his colleagues, he lacked the usual vigor.

"Why the sluggish work?" the man inquired, "Polish them quickly!"

The boy remained silent. Just then, another shoeshiner appeared, abruptly replacing the first and polishing the shoes with brisk efficiency. The first boy stood mutely to the side. The second boy, having finished, asked, "Who should I give the money to?"

Reaching into his pocket, the man anticipated an argument over the payment. But then, a thought struck him: the one who did the work deserved the pay. He handed the money to the second boy.

The boy, however, instead of keeping it, placed it in the first boy's palm. With a gentle pat on his back, he walked away.

The man, bewildered, called the first boy back. "What's going on here?" he asked.

The boy explained, "Sir, three months ago, he fell from a moving train. He's badly injured, but thankfully alive. His elderly mother and sisters depend on him. He's too proud to beg."

After a pause, he continued, "Sir, we shoeshiners here have a group. We call him 'Satsangi Chachaji,' a kind soul we all respect. He attends religious discourses and shares the teachings with us. He suggested, 'What if he can't work like before? God has given us a chance to show active concern, sacrifice, affection, empathy, and unity towards our friend. Just like the back, stomach, face, hands, and feet are different parts of one body, we too, though appearing different, are part of the same soul. We are all one!'

"All of us at the station decided to share our daily earnings from polishing one pair of shoes with him. We'll also help him with his work whenever needed."

Witnessing such a display of love, cooperation, unity, and humanity among the shoeshiners, the gentleman was left astonished. He patted the boy's back, a warm feeling spreading through him. "Perhaps," he thought, "humanity does endure..."