Story of the week - Dignity

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Story of the weekSaturday, December 27, 2003

 

Dignity

Once Iswarachandra Vidya Sagar was proceeding to a neighbouring village to

deliver an address. People used to gather in large numbers to listen to his

lectures. A young officer, who wanted to listen to Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar's

lecture, got down from a train with a bag to go to the Lecture-hall.

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar also got down from the same train. The young officer

was calling for a porter to carry his bag. Iswar Chandra went to him and said:

"Why do you need a coolly to carry this small bag? Can't you carry it yourself

and save the money?" He replied: "It is not in keeping with my dignity to carry

my bag. I am an educated person." Iswar Chandra told him: "The hallmark of

education is humility, not pride. If you cannot carry your own bag, how are you

carrying your body? If, however, you cannot carry your own bag, I shall do so."

And Iswar Chandra carried the officer's bag. He acted on the motto: "Plain

living and high thinking." The young man wanted to offer money to his 'porter'.

Iswar Chandra told him: "To serve you is my reward".

The young officer left and was later proceeding to the venue of the meeting.

There people were offering garlands to Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar to welcome him

to the meeting. The young officer realised that the man who had offered to

carry his bag at the station was none other than the respected speaker of the

evening, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar. He felt ashamed that he had made such a

great man carry his bag. He reflected: "What is his education and what is mine?

I am like a glow worm before the Sun."

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 107http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1052.html

 

 

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