52 - Who is carrying the bag ?

[Guest guest]

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Stories and Parables

Source: Chinna Katha

http://www.saibaba.ws/stories/storiesparables.htm

 

52 - 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

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. "