CHINNA KATHA FROM BHAGAVAN’S DISCOURSE. No. 50.

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50 - Who is carrying the bag?

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

Iswarachandra Vidyasagar also got down from the same train. The young officer was calling for a porter to carry his bag. Iswarachandra 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." Iswarachandra 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 Iswarachandra 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'. Iswarachandra 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 Iswarachandra 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, Iswarachandra 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."